Loud music, dark lighting, and a glittering disco ball are just a few key elements of Anna Kaiser’s fitness studios. The trainer’s style of workouts can be personalized and done anywhere, anytime (thanks to the AKT On Demand app) but one aspect remains consistent: positive energy.
Kaiser has been working with celebrities including Shakira for more than a decade to curate her upbeat fitness routines, most recently in preparation for the singer’s halftime performance alongside J. Lo during the 2020 Super Bowl. The day not only marked a major football game, but it happened to land on Shakira’s birthday, too. The star turned 43 and looks better than ever with a fit physique and toned abs.
What makes Kaiser’s much-buzzed-about AKT workouts so different is the fact that it incorporates a whole lot of dance—in addition to Pilates, barre and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). The result? You get all the benefits of cardio, strength, yoga, and more in an hour instead of three, she shared with Byrdie in a recent interview.
And because Kaiser is the optimistic motivator that she is, she took to her Instagram to share three favorite workout moves that you can do right at home to aim for abs just like Shakira’s.
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Twisted Jackknife
“Start in a plank position with your hands on the floor and your quads or shins (more advanced option) on the ball. Press down into your shins on the ball as you lift your hips to the ceiling and pull your knees slightly toward your left elbow. Return to plank and repeat on the other side. Do three sets of 10 reps.”
Oblique Teaser
“Start seated, knees bent, balancing on your left glute with your left hand on the floor behind you and your right arm straight out to the side. Bend the left arm to lower onto your forearm, slightly extend your legs forward and raise your right arm up straight next to your right ear. Return to starting position. Repeat 15 times then switch to the right side.”
The Bicyclist
“Start in a seated position on the floor in a C curve (you can use a Pilates ball nestled in your lower back for additional support). With arms straight by your sides, actively press down into the tops of a set of weights to activate the entire core. From there, alternate pulling your knees into your chest and extending the opposite leg either on the floor or keeping it extended off the floor. Continue for 30-second intervals, then rest and repeat three to five times.”
To sum it up, each workout consists of sweat, dance, burn and change. Consistency is key but the steps are not set in stone. Kaiser is all about mixing things up and customizing workouts for every body type and level, coupled with healthy eating (she also offers nutrition sessions).
In another post, Kaiser wished Shakira a happy birthday and reflected on working out together through “babies, bodies, boys” over the past 10 years. Cheers to her secrets to aging beautifully.
