When I heard that I was going to be working out with the man responsible for sculpting some of the most insane bodies in the fashion business (AKA, just about half of the Victoria's Secret Angels), my nerves got the best of me. Sure, I work out on a pretty regular basis and am an avid follower of fitness trends, but a workout with Heidi Klum and Karolina Kurkova's personal trainer? I wasn't sure I'd physically survive.
Upon walking into David Kirsch's private studio, he adamantly insisted that I throw out my large cup of coffee in exchange for one of his protein shakes. The gym that he and a few of his hand-picked trainers work out of is a small, intimate space, decorated only with a large oriental rug and new fitness equipment. It's a lot more comfortable than your average cold, sterile gym where all eyes are on you. In fact, the anxiousness I had before a much-needed sweat went right out the big, sun-filled windows.
When I say much-needed, I am referencing the two and half weeks I took off of working out during the holidays. I felt like a slacker, an unhealthy, lethargic version of myself, and I needed to figure out a way to kick it back into gear. Luckily, David's methods were the perfect jumping off point.
And quite literally, there was jumping. First there was a two-minute warm-up on the elliptical, then the jumping, rolling, lifting, squatting and pressing, all done in a small enough space and without much equipment that the thought of doing these exercises at home was not so far off. After all, that's what much of David's methods are all about; simple movements to ignite the core muscles, done at the gym or in any small space where you feel most comfortable. Also, maximum fat burn in as little time as possible, perfect for someone inching their way back into a regular workout routine.
About 45 minutes later I could finally feel the muscles in my body again, even some I didn't know were there. A 45 minute workout that felt like it was just twenty minutes long. It was just the right amount of time, pain and pleasure that one should experience after a solid workout, and one so simple that I couldn't believe I had just done the same routine as the supermodels I so envied. If I took anything away that day it was that sometimes less is more, and core exercises, no matter where they're done, are the best way to sculpt and shape any body-type (even after a long-hiatus).
So did I walk out of David's studio feeling like a Victoria's Secret Angel? Not exactly but, even despite some serious soreness the next day, I definitely knew I wanted to come back for more.
Check out a few of David Kirsch's major moves I learned below.
All photos by Bobby Doherty
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