Which celebrity trainer will get you the best results?

Grading the trainers

When it comes to getting in shape, raise your hand if you've pined for a celebrity trainer of your very own? While you might not be able to swing private sessions, the top trainers all have websites and DVDs to help guide you to a sculpted, screen-ready body—that is, if you've got the time, discipline and motivation.

We asked Alycia Spadafora, a Toronto-based personal trainer and yoga teacher, to try out the workouts of the top 3 celeb trainers—Tracy Anderson, Anna Kaiser and Jillian Michaels—and report back on their methods and results. 

Trainer: Tracy Anderson

Clients: Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Richie, Kim Kardashian, J.Lo.

The approach: Anderson, a former dancer, draws extensively on her dance training in the creation of her distinctive Tracy Anderson Method. The method focuses on high-intensity dance-inspired cardio, followed by a form of resistance training that targets the smaller, shape-defining “beauty muscles” of the arms, legs, backside and core. Her regime is not for the faint of heart. She advocates working out six days a week, between one and two hours a day.

The results: The prolific fitness instructor—she has several DVDs on the market—specializes in a long, lean toned look. You won’t see any six-pack abs or bulky quads in Anderson’s repertoire of celeb clients. Her clients are ballerina-slender rather than buff.

Strength: If you want to lose weight, Anderson is your girl. Her method is “amazing for initial weight loss,” says Spadafora. Additionally, the intense cardio is good for the heart. The dance emphasis also increases agility and coordination.

Weakness: The commitment is unrealistic. “Although this is an effective method for weight loss or looking good in a bikini,” says Spadafora, “the general population can’t afford (money or time) to be working out six days a week.”

Overall grade: B -

Spadafora's bottom line: “It’s great to see initial results but not sufficient to maintain them."

Trainer: Anna Kaiser

Clients: Shakira, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Watts, Kelly Ripa.

The Approach: Kaiser has a dance background, too, and her approach to leaning out her A-list clients is even more intense than Anderson’s. Kaiser combines dance-based cardio intervals with sweat-inducing circuit training that involves uber-challenging variations on pushups, squats, and lunges—not to mention wickedly tough core work that makes Pilates class feel like a gentle massage.

The results: Clients are lean, mean dancing machines; but they’re not exactly waifs. While Ripa and Parker won’t be mistaken for body builders any time soon, they do display buff muscular arms and six-pack abs.

Strength: Her technique is really effective. “Circuit training is probably one of the best ways to see weight loss and definition,” says Spadafora. More over, Kaiser’s approach creates a lean, yet sexy shape. “This method truly accentuates the female body.”

Weakness: Spadafora says Kaiser’s core work, while excellent, may be a bit too advanced for the general population.

Overall grade: B+

Spadafora's bottom line: "Kaiser’s advanced level workouts may be difficult to do on your own."

Trainer: Jillian Michaels

Clients: Herself. Michaels is best known as a trainer on The Biggest Loser, although she recently quit the show.

The Approach: Michaels’ circuit-training workouts are an efficient combination of high-intensity interval training (that means shorter bursts of intense effort followed by brief rest) with plyometrics (quick explosive jumps and leaps) and classic weight training exercises.

The Results: Michaels is toned and strong without any bulk—it’s the kind of athletic look that many women aspire to achieve. Though she’s petite and sleek, there’s nothing frail about Michaels. Her training style favours those who want to increase their athleticism and look good in a bikini.

Strength: Michaels’ is a triple threat in Spadafora’s opinion. She’s a “great motivator,” she gets amazing results and she advocates for a solid lifestyle change.

Weakness: According to Spadafora, Michaels's physical approach to fitness is "perfect." Her only suggestion is that Michaels' could borrow from yoga to add a mind-body connection to her regimen. 

Overall grade: A

Spadafora's bottom line: "Your best bet for results, strength gains and lifestyle advice."