LEGWORK - Who Says Louboutins Aren't Meant for Walking?
I often have stiletto anxiety -- will I be able to walk like a normal person, if I wear the killer shoes that make the outfit?
The answer has always been no, until now.
I recently had the pleasure of taking the LEGWORK workout (as seen in ELLE and Allure) and workshop for sexy high heel walking. Created by women's shoe designers Victor Chu and Cece Chin, the workout was designed to strengthen your core muscles (abs and back), sculpt and tone your legs from hip to toe, and to teach you how the experts strut their stuff in stilettos. It's an hour of training for runway-worthy high heel walking and it's a real self-esteem booster.
For the first half of the class, you're on a mat doing lower-body work, not unlike Pilates moves. Melanie Lynn, the instructor for the class I attended in downtown NYC, led us through a series of exercises that worked muscles in my legs and abs, including ones I didn't even know I had!
For the second half of the class, we put on our heels and went to work. We were coached on posture -- the number one issue women have when walking in heels is that they either fall forward and stick their butts out, or they lean back and jut their hips forward. Melanie showed us how to pull up through the abs and back through the shoulders while still keeping our hips loose. Then we strutted the length of the studio in teams of two and three to the tunes of Britney and Beyoncé.
LEGWORK was a blast and there wasn't one woman in the class who didn't look and feel better in heels by the end of the hour. Four-inch, strappy sandals for spring lurking in the closet? Bring 'em on!
And if you can't make it to NYC for the classes, no problem, you can buy the DVD or download the workout to your video iPod for on-demand heel help.
Crazy Heels
Beyoncé struts her way through New York's Meatpacking District after having lunch with her husband, Jay-Z, at Pastis. Good thing there is a bodyguard present - those YSL Tribute Double Platform Heels clock in at nearly five inches high and are not intended for the neighborhood's cobblestone streets!
Vila/Anderson, Bauer-Griffin
Supermodel Heidi Klum struck a pose for German Vogue in these kinky 12-inch Alexander McQueen thigh-high boots during a photo on Rodeo Drive.
Pacific Coast News / Fame Pictures
At the Los Angeles premiere of "Valentino: The Last Emperor" actress Gwyneth Paltrow mixed a simple gray dress with a pair of bondage-inspired Christian Louboutin "Ariella Talon" ankle boots.
Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage
Nina Ricci Fall 2009
It is safe to say that practicality wasn't high on Olivier Theysken's list of priorities when he designed his final collection for Nina Ricci. These platformed boots with a mini heels were just one of the many pieces of gravity defining footwear in his show.
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Scherer Gonzales Spring 2009
The German designing duo had models tiptoeing through tulips (and Lucite encased orchids) at a runway show in Berlin.
Anita Bugge, WireImage.com
Mary-Kate Olsen
The Hello Kitty pink heels that are giving Mary Kate a 6-inch lift are Giambattista Vallis 'Victoria' shoes, named in honor of Mrs. David Beckham.
Jim Spellman, WireImage.com
Aminaka Wilmont Spring 2009
If last season's shocker was the heel-less shoe, this season's is apparently the shoe-less heel. Here's hoping there was nothing sharp on that runway!
Beyoncé
Backstage at the American Music Awards, Beyoncé shows off her colorful Balenciaga heels - perfectly matched with a bright blue and red lined leather jacket designed by her mom, Tina Knowles.
Frank Micelotta, AMA/Getty Images
Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2009
These sculptural heels walked down the runway in a wide array of colors but nothing says spring like sunny yellow.
Chris Moore, Catwalking / Getty Images
Mischa Barton attended the Christian Dior Spring-Summer 2009 Haute Couture Show in Paris on January 26, 2009 clad in (what else?!) head to toe Dior. Her shoes looked as tall and skinny as she did; though the platform heels,
a version of those shown at Christian Dior's Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear Runway Show, were carved to mimic an African fertility goddess. Something Miss Mischa may need if she manages to lose another pound...
Tags: Cece Chin, CeceChin, high heels, HighHeels, legwork, louboutins, shoes, Victor Chu, VictorChu
How to Walk on High Heels for Beauty Pageants
How to Teach Your Dog to Walk to Heel
How to Find High Heels You Can Walk In
Walking in High Heels
Stephanie, 4-13-2009, 6:11PM
i have never heard of this "legwork" but i totally want it! how fantastic! i often don't wear my heels (putting the bottom of my slightly-too-long work pants in harms way) for fear i'll walk like an idiot! i think i'm going to need to get this
Reply »