Madonna: Fit at 50

Madonna’s turning 50, but the Material Girl doesn’t look a day over 35. How does she stay so youthful and keep that toned body? There are a couple of secrets to her success: a no-excuses ethic, long hours, and Tracy Anderson. Tracy is a revolutionary personal trainer who Gwyneth Paltrow turned to after the birth of son Moses in 2006. Desperate to lose the final ten pounds of her pregnancy weight, Tracy helped Gwyneth get back in shape for her return to the big screen in Iron Man. When Gwyneth recommended Tracy to Madonna, it was the perfect fit.

Tracy doesn’t exclusively cater to celebrities; rather, she looks for clientèle who aren’t afraid to get to work or try new things. Madonna spends at least two hours in the gym each day, with no exceptions. Even her recent all-nighter 50th birthday celebration couldn’t keep her from her morning gym session.

What keeps Madonna looking so stunning, year after year? It’s a combination of her specialized training program with Anderson, a healthy diet, and frequent dance sessions. Anderson is a major believer in combining the aerobic benefits of dance with other types of exercises. She does not rely on traditional gym machines, instead utilizing a Pilates Hybrid Body Reformer (which she herself designed), small weights, and a series of toning exercises. It’s an unconventional format to be sure, but you can just take a look at Madonna to see the benefits play out! Some suggestions from Madonna’s personal trainer:

1. Use weights lower than 3 lbs. for arm raises and single arm overhead pulse
2. Try ballet exercises such as grand plies
3. Start with leg lifts in the pike position, then work your way up to using 3-lb. weights
4. Cut out sugar from your diet
5. Only eat one carb item per day, and ensure that it’s whole wheat or whole grain