Vanessa Williams’ New Song Got Us All Wanting “Legs.” Fitness Expert Robert Brace Shows Us How

Vanessa Williams is back on the charts with her new single, “Legs (Keep Dancing),” and we can’t get enough of the singer-actress-all-around-goddess! The diva looks stunning and, at 61, she’s putting us all to shame. In the new video, Williams reminds us of what an incredible entertainer she is by showing off her dancing skills and those killer legs!

Of course, we want to try to have gams as good Williams, so we reached out to fitness expert to the stars, Robert Brace, to get some advice on what we mere mortals must do to have legs like Ms. Williams.

A celebrity trainer and former soloist ballet dancer, Brace’s boutique personal training studio, Brace Life Studios in New York City, has become the destination location for successful, influential and fitness-minded Black women in entertainment, media and business. It’s the place to achieve mind-blowing physical transformations that come from mind body and soul approach. His clients include Debra Lee, Angela Rye and Lisa Price.

Fitness trainer Robert Brace. Courtesy of Brace Life Studios.

“No doubt her early training as a ballet dancer has a lot to do with her staying power and legendary leg tone,” Brace declares to EBONY. “Her legs are not only toned and lean, but they also have an elongated, lengthened look, like a dancer.”

Here, Brace breaks down some leg exercises into simple steps anyone can follow:

Pliés

One of the exercises I like to use with my clients is the plié, which is a ballet move. To do a plié, stand with your feet a little wider than hip width apart.Your feet should be pointing outwards away from the center of your body on a forty five degree angle. Keeping your core tight back and your spine straight, bend your knees, slowly  lowering your body to the ground until your thighs are parallel to the floor.

Be sure to keep your knees over your toes, do not allow your knees to roll in. Now that you have reached the bottom of the plié, keep your spine straight and your weight over the center of your foot and push your body back up, elongating your legs, squeezing your butt and pulling up your thighs until you are standing straight again. Repeat ten times this is a great move for toning and lengthening your legs.

Closed Feet Squats

Start by standing tall with your feet close together, like you’re ready to take on the world. If you want to add some weight, grab a medium dumbbell in each hand. No weights? No worries! Now, lower your body down as if you’re sitting back in a chair, keeping those thighs parallel to the floor. Feel the burn in your booty as your feet stay close together, making those butt muscles work overtime. Push through your heels to stand back up tall, lifting that booty upwards and forwards like you’re reaching for the stars!

Step-Ups

Find a raised platform or step–this could be a staircase or even a sturdy box. Step onto the platform with one leg, feeling steady and strong. Use your leg and glute muscles to push yourself upwards and forwards until you’re standing tall on the platform. The higher the platform, the bigger the challenge; your legs and booty will thank you for the extra effort!

Lunges

Stand tall with your hands relaxed by your sides and your feet hip-width apart. Take a big step forward, bending your front knee until your thigh is parallel to the floor. Make sure your knee doesn’t go past your toes – safety first! As you step forward, gently lower your back knee towards the ground, keeping it from touching down. Finish strong by pushing off your front foot and returning to your starting position.

There you have it: four simple leg exercises to strengthen and tone those muscles, no complicated moves required, to keep your legs dancing just like Ms. Williams!