Healthy Living

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Beyoncé shares her body secrets!

Beyonce.jpg
Beyoncé Knowles is nothing short of a glam goddess: on stage, in print, on screen and--as SELF found out when we shot her for our June cover­­--in person. She's also totally approachable, and all too human. That "Single Ladies" body? It doesn't come easy! The singer told us how she got in the best shape of her life for her current world tour.

She puts in the work. To get a tour-worthy body--one that can handle singing and dancing at the same time--the star works out five days a week with her trainer. Those workouts include 100 squats, step-ups and walking lunges (each!).

She makes it fun. An upper body workout can get boring with all those repetitions, so Knowles added her own twist. "I'll put on a song that I really like and do [biceps curls with] 5-pound weights the whole song," she told us. Or, using 3-pound weights, she'll box for the length of one track.

Video: Watch Beyonce talk about Justin Timberlake's SNL spoof (she's jealous of his legs!), her quick-fix salad recipe and pal Gwyneth Paltrow!

She knows how to motivate herself. What's the point of running, if you're not running towards something? Knowles keeps a painting of an Oscar at the gym, so she's literally running towards her next goal. "I look at it, and I'm like OK, I have to stay in shape," she admits.

She's consistent. From the beginning of rehearsals on January 19 to the start of her tour on March 26, Knowles practiced her choreography for nine hours a day, seven days a week--while wearing 5-inch stilettos. Think it's tough to make it through the workday? That's 603 hours in heels! The star admits, "When I come home and take them off, I'm like, "Oh, my God! I wish I could just chop my feet off!"

Enter for a chance to win one of 10,000 free downloads of Beyoncé’s exclusive-to-SELF remix of "Halo"!

She understands the importance of confidence. Transforming into Sasha Fierce is more than putting on a teeny-tiny costume and sky-high heels. To become her alter ego, Knowles rehearses her sexy walk. "It's about self-esteem," she instructs. "It's in the hips. Lean back, stretch your neck, keep your shoulders low, point your toes and cross one foot in front of the other." Anyone can do it!

Learn more of Beyoncé's secrets in SELF's June issue, on newsstands May 26.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Robert Erdmann for SELF

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 198
  • Spam I Am's Avatar
    Posted by Spam I Am Thu May 21, 2009 11:50pm PDT

    She's also...rich. That makes keeping in shape a LOT easier. :)

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  • Tapan's Avatar
    Posted by Tapan Fri May 22, 2009 5:26am PDT

    how are you?

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  • ah87's Avatar
    Posted by ah87 Fri May 22, 2009 5:42am PDT

    i love how casually she says these things as if we can all afford a personal trainer and a life time gym membership

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  • None's Avatar
    Posted by None Fri May 22, 2009 7:04am PDT

    Agreed "ah87" and she ain't all that, I think she's hideously crazy looking, and she has no breasts, and too much butt, it'd be good if she could put some butt on her boobs so she would look proportionate, and no I am not jealous, believe me, lol

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  • anonymous whatever's Avatar
    Posted by anonymous whatever Fri May 22, 2009 7:29am PDT

    I'm glad you mentioned all the things that the TRAINER does to get her into shape.

    Good thing you must need millions to pay for that TRAINER, CHEF, MAKEUP ARTIST, HAIR STYLIST, ETc. to look like her. I wonder what she would look like if she didn't have all that money.

    Away with her and her bipolar personality Sasha Fierce. BARF!

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  • EricaS's Avatar
    Posted by EricaS Fri May 22, 2009 7:39am PDT

    I think Beyonce is very inspiring for all women. I can attest to the fact that squats and lunges are the best thing for chics with real curves.

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  • suejin's Avatar
    Posted by suejin Fri May 22, 2009 7:49am PDT

    i just don't know ,be satisfied JUST................BE YOU

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  • Marjorie's Avatar
    Posted by Marjorie Fri May 22, 2009 9:16am PDT

    Well I dont know about anyone else but if shes got the money to keep her body in shape with heels on then thats the way to do it I know when Im home I clean and dance with heels on and it paid me off so there for she knows what shes doing.

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  • Marjorie's Avatar
    Posted by Marjorie Fri May 22, 2009 9:20am PDT

    Ah87 answer your self this question why would you need breast to look good becuase I heard from men girls that have big breast are not good in bed becuase thats what they rely on looking good so where are you getting it at behind or breast stupid

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  • Emily's Avatar
    Posted by Emily Fri May 22, 2009 9:22am PDT

    Yea I'd work out really hard like that if I could make money like she makes and then also still have a slammin body...Duh

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