It’s no secret Kelly Ripa exercises on the regular (have you seen her Instagram?), but her longtime trainer Anna Kaiser of Anna Kaiser Studios, just shared a sweet Instagram post that shows just how dedicated the morning talk show host is to her workouts. Kaiser shared a behind-the-scenes look at a workout with the Live with Kelly and Ryan co-host and opened up about the commitment the 51-year-old has shown to her fitness over the years in the caption.
“12 years, 2 kids, 5 studios, and over 100 dances later…we are still bringing the 🔥🔥🔥🔥,” Kaiser wrote. “Kelly trains with me and my @annakaiserstudios team 4-5 days a week and she still NEVER CANCELS!!!” (Psst: Kaiser also trains Alicia Keys)
That’s the key to Ripa’s success in the gym, according to Kaiser. “Listen, if I can share one secret with you, that is IT,” she wrote. “Show up for you. Show up for your trainer. Show up because you both deserve to make the magic happen together. And that is exactly what you are, @kellyripa MAGIC✨ And the strongest damn woman I have ever known!!!!! Thank you for sharing your spirit and energy with us every day 🌈🤍.”
Ripa responded to Kaiser's post in the comments, writing that Kaiser and her trainers "are the reason I'm still standing ❤️❤️❤️."
In the video, Kaiser leads Ripa through a series of workout moves. First, the duo does reverse lunges. Then, Ripa hits the floor for a glute bridge with alternating leg extensions. Cut to the next shot, which shows Ripa and Kaiser doing side lunges with arm extensions, each holding a dumbbell in both of their hands. In the final clip, Ripa and Kaiser do some speedy footwork, including (seriously) high kicks, while dancing in sync.
Ripa's training has evolved over the past 12 years since they began working together, Kaiser tells Shape. "When she was in her late 30s and 40s, we really focused on cardio," says the trainer. "She was doing a lot of [fitness] challenges for the show…and her stamina and cardio needed to be really strong."
Now, Ripa's fitness goals include building strength, energy, and endorphins, says Kaiser. "We are watching her heart-rate monitor and tracking her metrics on her on a daily basis to make sure she gets exactly the amount of strength and cardio for what she needs today, which is very different from what it was 12 years ago." That means doing shorter cardio intervals, longer strength intervals, and having her heart-rate be more consistently elevated, says Kaiser. Ripa also runs in Central Park a few times a week, she adds.
Kaiser's unique workouts, which include choreographed HIIT combinations and strength exercises, are a good fit for Ripa because they're fun, she says. "Music is super important, and choosing the right music for her is key," says the trainer. "These workouts are also really well-programmed. That is so important when you're working with someone who has such little time. You have to make sure that what you're doing works."
Based on some of Ripa’s cheekier Instagram photos, Kaiser’s workouts definitely seem to be working. Plus, their 12-year relationship and focus on consistency is a great example of the power of simply showing up for a workout. Sometimes, that’s the hardest part.
