Denise Austin Takes on Trouble Zones

Fitness expert and veteran of over 30 body sculpting DVDs, perennially perky Denise Austin has collected what she calls her favorite and most effective lower-body toners. Her Best Bun & Leg Shapers DVD launches today with seven different workouts for every day of the week. "In these short do-able routines," says Austin, "I include workouts for every fitness level, standing ballet-like leg lifts, some workouts you can do on the floor with yoga-type bridges, Pilates exercises for your thighs, and good old-fashioned, kick-butt fitness moves like squats and lunges."

Austin does not belong to a gym or a yoga studio, and she firmly believes that every single body can get in shape at home using a wide variety of exercises most days of the week -- under 40 minutes a day! "I have trouble spots just like everybody else in the world, and I know I have to do cardio most days of the week to burn fat and firm up. I go hiking with girlfriends, I run at least twice a week, or I go for a bike ride," she says. In addition, Austin often uses a small sculpting ball to perform moves at home -- and she included those specific exercises on her new DVD. We asked her to name a few favorite moves -- and why they're the best.

That's Fit: Tell the truth, Denise, do you have a frustrating trouble spot on your own fabulously-sculpted body?

Denise Austin: Of course! Everybody has an area they have to pay special attention to, and mine is my lower abs, that area right under my navel. I've had two gorgeous kids, and every mom knows that it's challenging to keep this area tight and toned.

TF: What's the best exercise to zero in on that dreaded lower belly?

DA: I do elbow planks several times a week where I come to my elbows and toes and hold my body in one straight long line for 10 breaths or so, and I repeat this efficient move a couple times per session. At home, once you're in this plank move, visualize zipping up your abs and tightening all the muscles below your navel while you breathe and hold steady. It's important to picture in your mind what your muscles should be doing.

TF: What's the all-time best move for firming up your butt?

DA: It's a somewhat dated move that the world's been doing for 50 years ... but I modified it. Remember the old Rover's Revenge exercise where you come to your hands and knees and lift one leg in back of you to curl your heel to your butt? Well, I add a 5-pound dumbbell to the back of my knee and squeeze my butt to keep that dumbbell in place and then I lift and lower my knee 20 times very slowly with control. That's a killer exercise!

TF: Any other target-toning secret weapons in your exercise arsenal?

DA: Oh, yeah! I'd like everyone to know that the majority of muscle mass in your arms is in the under-worked triceps muscles at the back of your arms. The best move for your triceps and shoulders is the yoga chattaranga where you lower down from the top of a push-up position. I like to go very slowly and really target my triceps on the way down. Keeping your arms tucked into your ribcage really sculpts the arms, especially your triceps.

For more trouble zone spotting and Denise's "Exercise of the Day," log onto www.deniseaustin.com or try one of That's Fit's Body Part Workouts.