An Anna Paquin Workout: Six Exercises from the True Blood Star’s Personal Trainer

Anna Paquin’s longtime trainer Clay Burwell gave Bombshell Bride a six-exercise sequence to help you look and feel your best.

True Blood’s Golden Globe nominee Anna Paquin (who just happens to be a fellow bride-to-be) is widely quoted as extolling the virtues of a healthy lifestyle. She’s a fan of a variety of workouts, including pilates. And that’s a good thing, since her body is spotlighted in those short shorts (or even less) on the widely successful True Blood. But don’t let her girly figure fool you. “She’s a damn good boxer and a gifted athlete,” says Paquin’s longtime trainer Clay Burwell, co-owner of NYC gym High Performance. “Her endurance is some of the best I have ever seen.”

Paquin (along with Matt Damon and other celebrities) has equally good things to say about Burwell. “Training with Clay will get you in the best shape of your life.”

To help all of us get in the best shape of our lives, Bombshell Bride consulted Burwell for some moves that might help our bodies look, well, a bit more Anna Paquin-like. Burwell gave us a sequence that capitalizes on what he calls “pre-exhaustion,” which fatigues a target area (like the glutes) with multiple movements for maximum benefit. (Note: To be realistic, there’s a whole lot more working out than what we’re giving you here, so think of this as a piece of your fitness plan.)

Quadruped Sidekick

Targets: Glutes, also thighs.

1. Begin on a weight bench with your hands holding onto the front sides, your right knee and foot at the edge of the bench and your left leg just out to the side of the edge.

2. Suck your lower stomach up and in and keep it firm throughout the movement.

3. With your head, back and bottom in alignment, and your left leg rotated just slightly outward, bring your left knee and foot up to the side so that your knee forms a 90-degree angle and your foot is on the same plane as your knee.

4. With a smooth motion, and keeping your leg muscles and gluteal muscles firm and controlled, straighten your leg as if pushing it back until it is in line with your body (being sure to keep your core engaged and your lower back flat, not arched).

5. Hold for a few seconds. Then, bring leg back to 90-degree angle then lower to side of bench in starting position.

Reps: Complete 15 movements for left and right side.

---

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6