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The wealthy female clients of Knightsbridge-based Brazilian dynamic pilates instructor Juliana Campos call her their ‘secret weapon’. Thanks to her merciless training sessions - ‘I focus a lot with my ladies on the glutes, everyone asks to improve their backside’ - they develop curves in all the right places. Yes, you need strong bottom muscles to protect your spine - but these women’s priority is to safeguard their marriages.
And so, from their perfect homes, they flock to Juliana’s cosy studio, a stone’s throw from Harrods, to learn how to inspire desire. ‘Looking their very best is not just an aim, it’s a necessity, and for most, even a means of keeping their marriage together,’ she says. ‘Wealthy husbands are always a catch - and each gets plenty of attention from predatory women. The risk of being replaced and becoming the ex-wife is a clear and present danger.’
A fitness instructor for over 20 years, Juliana Campos has taught pilates at the Lanesborough Hotel, and worked as an in-house health adviser to members of the Abu Dhabi royal family
The mother of two employs a daily regime of booty-boosting Brazilian dynamic pilates
She says her clients tell her that 'a toned and sculpted figure is the one thing about them that their husbands prize'
‘We need to keep ourselves young,’ says Juliana, in her delectable Brazilian accent. A fitness instructor for over 20 years, she has taught pilates at the Lanesborough Hotel, and worked as an in-house health adviser to members of the Abu Dhabi royal family. She is 46, a mother of two, and thanks to her daily regime of booty-boosting Brazilian dynamic pilates (more focused on progressive exercises and tough glute-work than classical) looks sensational.
‘Me and my clients, we always talk about the Marilyn Monroes around - all these young girls trying to attract husbands,’ she says. Some fancy ‘a short fling or some sugar daddy pampering. The more money they have, the more available these men become.’
As her clients tell her, ‘a toned and sculpted figure is the one thing about them that their husbands prize,’ so ‘pushing themselves to the absolute limits of discipline and exertion with me is part of the price they pay to keep their man - and crafting the perfect, and natural as possible physique is one thing that really keeps them in the game.’
Juliana says she also changes women's mindset, infusing them with confidence and self-esteem
'Me and my clients, we always talk about the Marilyn Monroes around - all these young girls trying to attract husbands,' she says
'There's nothing that keeps a husband on his toes as much as when another man pays attention,' says Juliana
After three months of twice-weekly sessions with Juliana, heads turn when her clients enter a room
This is survival of the fittest, warns Juliana. ‘Let age take over and these ladies know their husbands’ eyes and minds will begin to stray.’ One client, a mid-30s mother of two, was told by her husband that he ‘simply didn’t find her as attractive as he once had. He saw her now as a “mum” not as a lover - the inference being that he might have to look for the latter elsewhere.’
Happily, after three months of twice-weekly sessions with Juliana, heads turn when her clients enter a room. ‘There’s nothing that keeps a husband on his toes as much as when another man pays attention, and more than a few compliments to his wife,’ she says. ‘I don’t just teach my clients to look their best, but also to be their most desirable.’
Juliana says she also changes these women’s mindset, infusing them with confidence and self-esteem. Perhaps some, rather than trying to hang on to these rich yet sorry-sounding men, will leave them for the single life, or someone kinder and more supportive.
'I train my ladies to become strong for life. It might be that you don’t care about your husband, you’re doing it for you,' she says
Juliana has created six of the best Brazilian dynamic pilates moves to perform at home
All you need are ankle weights, resistance bands, a squashy pilates ball, mat for the sessions, and the belief that anything is possible.
‘I train my ladies to become strong for life. It might be that you don’t care about your husband, you’re doing it for you,’ she says. So for any mid-life woman keen to feel good about herself - and develop a behind to rival J-Lo’s, Juliana has created six of the best Brazilian dynamic pilates moves to perform at home. All you need are ankle weights, resistance bands, a squashy pilates ball, mat - and the belief that anything is possible.
Lie on your back on the mat, facing the wall. Place your feet flat against it, knees bent at 90 degrees. Keep your hips flat on the mat, in line with your knees. Rest your arms on the floor by your sides. Inhale to prepare, then exhale, and lift your hips - so roll up from your tailbone, one vertebrae at a time into a bridge, until you’re resting on your shoulder blades if you can - feel a nice hip extension. Tuck your pelvis in and roll slowly back down. We are activating your glutes! Repeat ten - no! - 20 times.
Lie flat, in the same position, with feet flat against the wall at 90 degrees. Lift your hips and make a bridge. Straighten your left leg until it’s vertical. Keep the other foot pressed against the wall. Keeping your hips level, and your knees together, lift your left leg a few inches (don’t overextend), point your toes and hold, and then lower your left leg, and flex your left toes. Repeat ten times, then change sides. You should feel this in your core and glutes. Your core is holding you in this position. Are you shaking? Wow - I’m sorry, but it will be worth it!
Stand up and face the wall, pressing your hands against it. With your feet slightly wider than your hips, tuck your pelvis in, inhale, and squat down - like a plié - and exhale as you come up, lifting one leg out to the side, knee bent, toes pointed. Kick out - you’re making your quads and glutes work. I hope you’re wearing your ankle weights - you can start with 1kg on each ankle, but 2kg is also great. Repeat ten or 20 times on each side.
Now to work your abs! This time, you can wear those half-kilo ankle weights on each wrist, for more resistance. Sit on the floor, feet flat against the wall, knees bent at 90 degrees. Wedge the pilates ball under - or just above - your lower back. Then sit back - don’t lie all the way. Stretch out your arms horizontally in front of you, shoulder-width apart. Keeping your torso long, lift up, and down - look up to the ceiling, not the wall - you’re almost sitting on your tailbone. Inhale down, exhale up. To protect your back, ensure your abdominal muscles are engaged - imagine you’re doing up a zip from your pelvic floor to your chest - keep it tight!
Place 1-2 kilo weights on your ankles. Then start on all fours. Put your left forearm flat on the mat, and we’ll do leg extensions. Place the pilates ball behind your right knee and lift that leg until your thigh is horizontal, and your knee bent at 90 degrees. Contract your abs and your glutes. Then lift and lower. The higher you lift, the more effective it is for your glutes.
No, you still haven’t done enough. Get down on all fours. With your left forearm resting on the floor and your right arm straight, touch your right leg to your right elbow. Make sure you’re wearing your ankle weights! Keep your knees hip-width apart. Repeat ten times. Now ten more, fast! Now straighten the leg (so it’s vertical), and do ten small circles in the air. And reverse. You want to do the other leg? I hope so! In Brazil the girls do this with 10k weights. There, it’s all about the booty!
Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise regime.
To find out more go to www.julianacampos.co.uk or follow Juliana on Instagram @julianacampospilates.
As told to Anna Maxted