I Tried Jennifer Aniston's Ab Workout: Here's What It's Like
I Tried Jennifer Aniston's Ab Workout, and RIP to My Core
Some people love to read the latest gossip about celebrities — who they're supposedly dating and the drama between them and their ex BFFs — but I prefer to read about their workouts, especially if they involve training the abdominals.
I tapped Jennifer Aniston's trainer Leyon Azubuike, AFAA-certified trainer and founder of Gloveworx, for an Aniston-approved ab workout, and he did not disappoint. This workout is designed to help you improve your core strength and stability with rotational (rotational ball slams), antirotational (bird dog), and stability movements (planks), Leyon says.
Fifteen seconds into the first exercise, a forearm plank, my abs were shaking. Then I had a moment for active recovery with bird dog (one of my favourite moves, especially for back pain), followed by the powerful rotational ball slam. The reps were light, but after three rounds of the first circuit, my core was feeling it. The second circuit was similar to the first — incorporating similar movement patterns, but different exercises.
The best thing about this workout, in my opinion, is the variety of exercises. I enjoyed the combination of isometric holds, slow and controlled exercises, and explosive movements. Not to mention, the routine works more than just your core: between the planks, bird dogs, and medicine-ball moves, your whole upper body and lower body get in on the action, too.
My final verdict? This is a great workout for strong abs that focuses on both power and control. If you're ready to give Aniston's ab workout a shot, keep reading.
Jennifer Aniston's Ab Workout
Equipment needed: One dumbbell (five to 10 pounds) and a soft medicine ball (six to 12 pounds).
Directions: This workout is broken into two circuits. Do three rounds of circuit one, taking little to no rest in between each exercise and 45 to 60 seconds of rest in between each round. Once you've finished three rounds of circuit one, move on to circuit two. Do three rounds of circuit two, taking little to no rest in between each exercise and 45 to 60 seconds of rest in between each round.
Circuit 1:
- Plank: 30 seconds to two minutes
- Bird dog: 10 reps on each side
- Rotational ball slam with lunge: eight reps on each side
Do three rounds.
Circuit 2:
- Side elbow plank: 15 seconds to one minute on each side
- Renegade row: 10 reps on each side
- Medicine-ball rotational punch: eight reps on each side
Do three rounds.
1 Circuit 1, Exercise 1: Elbow Plank
2 Circuit 1, Exercise 2: Bird Dog
3 Circuit 1, Exercise 3: Rotational Ball Slam With Lunge
- Start in a lunge with your right leg forward. Be sure to keep your knee over your ankle.
- With the ball on the left side of your body, raise it up overhead, rotate your arms to the right, and slam the ball down on the outside of your right foot.
- That's one rep. Do eight reps. Switch sides; repeat.
4 Circuit 2, Exercise 1: Side Elbow Plank
5 Circuit 2, Exercise 2: Renegade Row
6 Circuit 2, Exercise 3: Medicine-Ball Rotational Punch
