Bikini Beauty Fitness Tips
This year, forget the stress of bearing your body on the beach! Michael Olajide Jr., celebrity trainer and owner of Aerospace gym in NYC has a targeted workout for every type of suit. Plus, we've got tips from swimsuit designer Lisa Curran to help you navigate the trends and find the perfect style for you.
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Getting Started: First thing's first: cardio is a must, says Olajide. Jump rope (burns the most calories of any cardio program), run, or bike (take a spin class if you need motivation).
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: When trying on suits, "Go somewhere they mix tops and bottoms." Separates let you mix sizes and styles.
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Side Cutout Suit: Stand with fists at shoulder level. Use abs to twist your upper torso side to side while keeping lower body still. Goal time: 3 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "You can follow trends, but if the trend is not working for you, don't do it. Stick to something a little bit more simple."
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
Bikini: Lay on your back, hands beneath hips for support. Keeping feet a few inches off the floor, lift and lower your upper torso. Goal time: 3 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you're boy-shaped, the smaller the bikini better -- it enhances your curves."
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
Tankini: Lay on your stomach, hands behind your neck, elbows bent. Lift your upper body and legs up as high up as you can, then lower down. Goal time: 2 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "Young moms love tankinis. They want that fashion hipness but they don't want something matronly."
Courtesy of Lisa Curran
High Cut Legs: Sit with one leg bent 90 degrees in front and the other behind you (think pretzel shape). With your weight in front hip, lift back knee and lower. Goal: 50 lifts on each leg.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you are curvier or full-figure, a higher leg helps visually lengthen and slim."
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
Boy Shorts: Stand with your weight in your heels, and squat down to a 90 degree angle, knees directly over toes. Straighten back up. Goal time: 2 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you are curvier, stay away from something that sits low like a boy-short." It makes legs look shorter.
Courtesy of The Gap
Plunging Neckline: Hold 1-3 lb hand weights out in front of you, fists facing down. Tap ends of weights against each other, keeping arms at chest level. Goal time: 3 min.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you're smaller in the chest, look for textured fabric, which enhances your chest size."
Courtesy of Lisa Curran
Bandeau Top: With fists below your chin, right foot back at a 5:00 position, punch left arm forward and retract back, keeping elbow down. Switch legs and repeat with right arm. Goal: 100 jabs on each side.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you have a wide back, stay away from bandeaus--they make your upper body look wider."
Courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer
Backless Suit: In a plank (high pushup) position (lower onto knees if needed), lower down as far as you can, then return to plank. Goal: 4 sets of 10.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If one particular cut isn't working, try something else. What might look good on your friend might not look good on you."
Courtesy of The Gap