She had to get back to work busting baddies on Alias just two months after the arrival of baby Violet on Dec. 1. But actress Jennifer Garner took a moderate approach to shedding the baby weight. "The first month she did nothing more than walk," says trainer Valerie Waters. "Childbirth is serious, and the body needs recovery time." By week five, Garner eased into the following workout. (Women who undergo C-sections should hold off on serious exercise until week seven.)
the routine
Circuit training, which requires moving from exercise to exercise without stopping, is fast and effective. "Some of Jen's workouts were only 15 minutes and totally doable in a new mom's schedule," says Waters.
target area
"A nursing mother needs to strengthen her back and work large muscle groups," says Waters. An effective exercise for Garner? Squats. "I look for ways that Jen can burn the most calories and exercise more than one muscle at a time. A squat works your butt, your hamstrings, your quads and your core."
the circuit
At first, Garner did each set only once, then worked up to repeating them three times.
squats
12 reps
chest presses
12-15 reps with 5-lb. dumbbells
reverse lunges
6 reps on each leg, alternating
bent-over rows
12 reps
shoulder presses
10 reps with 5-lb. dumbbells
biceps curls
10 reps with 5-lb. dumbbells
kick-backs
10 reps with 5-lb. dumbbells
crunches
2 sets of 10
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