Tuesday, April 29, 2008

LAT: Jackie Warner ramps up the workout

Good news, fans of the Bravo show "Workout" -- Jackie's back!

We're talking, of course, about Jackie Warner, personal trainer extraordinaire, owner of the exclusive Sky Sport & Spa gym in Beverly Hills, and star of her own reality show.

We spoke with Warner for a few minutes by phone recently while she was in New York promoting the third season of the show that kicked off this week, along with the many other things she's got going on.

She kindly teased some highlights from this season, mentioning "faster pacing," "a lot more emotional," "I'm in a relationship," "you're going to see my mom again," and "some of the trainers who were problematic become more problematic this season." Excellent..

Read entire LA Times article

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Toning your tush with Jackie Warner

It's time to get ready for spring. Here are Jackie's tips to get your buns ready for that bikini.

1. Deep squats.
Do 10 deep squats, then five squat jumps; then go back to 10 deep squats.

"This is called plyometrics," Warner said. "It's good for someone who isn't in the best shape."

2. Lunges.
Do 20, alternating front to back. To make the workout more intense, add five jumps in between.

"Everyone hates them, but they are effective," Warner said. "This works the gluteus muscle, your hamstrings and your quadriceps. If you add the jumping, it takes you into cardiovascular training."

3. PliƩ-Squats.
Stand with your legs apart, toes pointed out (think second position, ballet style). Keep your butt and hips tucked in very tight. Do 10 regular squats -- flat-footed -- and then rise up on your toes and do five more pliƩ-squats. Make sure to follow up with a second repetition.

"This works your inner and outer thighs," Warner said. 'When you are up on your toes, you are working your calves."

4. The Bridge.
Lie on your back with your arms out, palms flat on the ground. Dig in on your heels and lift your hips toward the ceiling as high as you possibly can. Squeeze your butt tight, lower an inch from the ground, and come up with intensity. Do 30.

5. Donkey Kick.
For this one, you will have to be on your hands and knees, with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. With your foot flat, kick it toward the ceiling, again as high as you can “until you feel the burn,” Warner said. Lower your foot slowly, and push back up with intensity.

Do two sets of each exercise, two to three times a week and you should see results within a few weeks, Warner said.

"It goes by quickly, maybe 10 minutes," she said. "But, remember, if you are not sore, it's not working. Tighten up and increase the intensity."

Source: Jackie Warner's Five Ways to Tone Your Tush

11 Questions With Jackie Warner

Jackie makes an appearance on Fox News' Health Talk. She shares diet and fitness tips as well as a glimpse into an 'edgier' season of Work Out.

11 Questions With Jackie Warner, Star of Bravo's 'Work Out'
The star of Bravo’s "Work Out" talks diet, fitness and what’s coming up on her hit show.

Fitness guru Jackie Warner heads back to Bravo this April and promises an even edgier version of her hit show, "Work Out."

Dressed down in jeans and sneakers — her trademark spikey hair grown out — the reality TV star sat down with FOXNews.com and discussed fitness, food, her show and even her love life.

"I’m so excited," said Warner, who is surprisingly smaller in person than the larger-than-life character she portrays on the small screen. "It’s just so different than anything else that’s on Bravo. It was shot documentary-style. We had two digital cameras. We were constantly moving. It’s just edgier."

Read entire article
Watch Jackie on Health Talk

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Jackie's back and sporting a new do and crew

Season 3 premiered Jackie's new hairdo, longer (but not long) locks that add a little femininity to the alpha male persona she represents so well. Not only that, she's also sporting a new crew. Not entirely of course, but new trainers and a new girlfriend. So, who's new and who didn't come back from the previous seasons? Keep reading.

Down and out
First things first, let's get this one over with. Zen Gray fans might not like this, but she's not back. For reasons that escape me, our wonderful little Zen didn't return to what appears to be the most dramatic Work Out season to date. Maybe that's why. Our man Andre Riley is also not back for the third season.

Who's in?
Work Out fans were treated to some new faces Tuesday night, and they didn't disappoint. Not only are they beautiful but fiery as well. Here's a brief look at the new crew:

Agnostina Laneri
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Agostina is a 26-year-old Argentinean who is not afraid to speak her mind. Her love and interest in fitness began at the age of 15 when she started training in martial arts. At the age of 19 she decided to pursue her love for the fitness industry in Hawaii. After obtaining an extensive education and certifications she began working at five star hotels in Maui. Her clientele now ranges from professionals to celebrities.

Since winning Bravo's Hollywood & Highland competition to join Jackie's gym as a trainer, she has enjoyed a flourishing career at Sky Sport & Spa, and has even enjoyed some flirtatious fun with her new boss, Jackie.

Agostina's Fitness Philosophy: Don't stop 'til you drop.

Greg Plitt
The former Army Ranger, All-American Wrestler, and Master Fitness Trainer grew up in Baltimore Maryland. Aside from his rock-hard abs and successful fitness career, Greg has been involved in a number of different activities throughout his life. This jack of all trades is certified in scuba, airborne, air assault, combat lifesaver and hand-to-hand combat. He's a sponsored athlete with MET-Rx Nutrition and is currently the spokesperson for the Under Armour performance apparel.

Greg's career in the fitness profession began when he was approached in Washington, D.C. to do a cover for Muscle and Fitness Magazine where he was inspired to continue on the road of fitness and training.

Greg's abs of steel have adorned more than 50 fitness magazine covers and he considers himself somewhat of a celebrity in the field. His body will have the male trainers envious and the female trainers salivating. His mere presence will heat up the gym as he is determined to stir things up at Sky Sport & Spa.

Greg's fitness philosophy: Fitness is not about the vanity of what you see in the mirror, but the transformation of how you feel on the inside. It is a lifestyle and process that excels oneself in all theaters of life through a mind and body connection. When you are physically fit and feel in shape, everything else in life is easier.

JD Jordan
JD is a tall, dark and handsome Los Angeles native. He's been a masseur to many of Hollywood's leading artists and now wants to take his newfound passion for personal training to the next level. He's looking to Jackie to take him under her wing and show him what it takes to be a top trainer in a very competitive world. He is currently working on his Pilates certification.

In JD's personal life, he's looking for an intelligent, masculine guy that will rock his world and says he's sick of choosing men that need to be saved. JD wears his heart on his sleeve, and too often that's what gets him in trouble.

Renessa Williams
This bubbly South Dakotan is all smiles. As a single mom of an 11-year-old, she is looking for the right guy. She's trained alongside Brian Peeler for years and considers him a brother and confidant. Unfortunately, she has no idea that her ties with him may put her in jeopardy with her new boss, Jackie.

Renessa is fitting in well at Sky Sport & Spa. Her fearlessness and drive have paid off with her clients, who find her to be a humorous and positive role model in the fitness world. Her outdoorsy attitude would rival most adventurers, and she has a knack for learning new things, whether it's the guitar or dancing.

Renessa has also worked with renowned health and wellness expert, Mike Torchia, who has trained celebrities like Matt Damon, Al Pacino and Kevin Spacey, among others.

Renessa's Fitness Philosophy: Exercise! Mental and physical health is of the greatest importance. Get obsessed with being healthy and become an addict for life.

Housewives have the hots for Jackie Warner

I read this great article on the New York Times that pretty well sums up the nation's infatuation with Jackie Warner. Here's an excerpt:

For Housewives, She’s the Hot Ticket
JACKIE WARNER, the lesbian fitness trainer whose seesaw love life is chronicled in the Bravo reality series “Work Out," is maneuvering through a dark, half-built gym in Hollywood.

Already a minor celebrity thanks to her show, Ms. Warner has plans to renovate this equipment-strewn space and offer affordable group fitness classes.

The studios are silent now, but one could imagine them filled with “Work Out” fans, a number of whom, it turns out, are not necessarily fitness buffs.

“I think my top demographic are not the gay and lesbian community, but housewives,” said Ms. Warner, 39..

Read the article