Ivanka Trump‘s “luxury personal trainer” has revealed how you can get your dream body from the comfort of your home—and the items you need to build the ultimate workout center on your property.

Sandy Brockman is an Austin, TX-based fitness expert who has made a name for herself in the workout world for whipping some of the biggest A-listers into shape.

Along with the First Daughter, the 52-year-old is credited with helping a number of other marquee names gain taut waistlines and rock-hard abs.

Now, Brockman has exclusively told Realtor.com® how you can achieve the body of your celebrity idol right from your bedroom.

The strength training expert explained how working up a sweat at home can be more effective than “killing yourself” at the gym—and the household items you can use in place of dumbbells if you are on a tight budget.

Brockman opened up about the advantages of training at home and which workouts will get you the body of your favorite Hollywood heavyweights.

She revealed that the things you need to build your ultimate home gym are “dumbbells, a yoga mat, and bands,” adding that advanced fitness enthusiasts can purchase a rowing machine or a treadmill for cardio.

Speaking about one of the biggest perks of a home workout routine, she told Realtor.com®: “I think the benefit is consistency—you’ll actually do it. That’s the No. 1: You don’t have to get in your car and drive to the gym. It’s just right there, so there are no excuses.”

Brockman noted that sweating in the comfort of your home can also help you get more in tune with your body and get rid of any “gymtimidation.” She added that training in one of your rooms can help you establish a “baseline” of what to do when you do step into a gym.

“Definitely get at least a minimum of a 20-minute routine at home that you can take into a gym so that you always have that sort of baseline.

“If you have gym intimidation, it’s like, ‘Okay, I do this at home. I know what I’m doing. Here are the dumbbells. They look like my dumbbells at home.’ That’s a great way to start getting confident to go to the gym,” she said.

And while exercising at home can have its perks, Brockman warned beginners to avoid getting too comfortable and falling into a non-motivational pattern.

She explained that getting yourself in the mindset is the “hardest” part, suggesting that workout devotees use a training video online or download a “minute on the minute” app to help them stay on track.

“I think motivation is key in your house. You either need to blast music, have a timer keeping you on time and on task, or a video,” Brockman revealed.

The fitness pro revealed that if you commit to it, working out at home can be more beneficial than exercising at the gym.

She explained: “A 40-minute workout is great at home but a 20-minute workout at home five times a week is just as good as an hour workout at the gym four days a week.”

When it comes to what workouts you should do at home, she recommended “squats, push-ups, dumbbell bent over rows, kettlebell swings, and lunges.”

She called these “the basics,” adding that “you can riff off of these if you are advanced.”

Brockman has previously revealed that she has helped Trump achieve her dream body by urging her to do the same workouts with heavier weights.

Brockman recommended “three different sets of light, medium, and heavy dumbbells.”

And for those on a tight budget, Brockman lifted the lid on household items that can be used in place of workout equipment.

She admitted that many of her A-lister clients use “broomsticks” to stretch with when in a pinch, before revealing that you can use “water bottles,” “soup cans,” or anything with a “round shape” instead of dumbbells.

Brockman urged homeowners to consider their fitness goals when buying or renovating their homes.

“Put building a home gym into your plans because you will use it,” she advised. “Don’t make it an afterthought. It will change your life to have a room aside for fitness.”

Related Articles

The peak for activewear may have been and gone as the world has straightened its tie a touch post Covid, but we all still need apparel to workout in, or indeed, something to wear on the trail to that peak. Here then are five starting points for kitting yourself out for that hike, run, swim or class:

1. Lululemon Chinese New Year looks

Canadian retailer Lululemon is the go-to label for fitness buffs and those always on the move. For Lunar New Year, the brand has released some of its most popular styles in neutral and seasonal red hues. The Scuba Oversized Funnel-Neck Half Zip fleece, which is made from a breathable cotton blend, is designed with a relaxed fit and, to carry essentials, there’s the matching Everywhere belt bag.

2. Nike Air Zoom Vomero 5 Special Edition

Sportswear giant Nike has launched its second brand collaboration with two-time Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long – the Hong Kong fencer who snagged his second gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men’s individual foil. Those lucky enough to get their hands on a pair of Nike’s Air Zoom Vomero 5 Special Edition inspired by Cheung (HK$1,099) will find that the sports shoe is detailed with subtle gold accents (how fitting) and has the athlete’s “don’t lose your way” motto on the insole.

3. Sweaty Betty 2025

British-based label Sweaty Betty specialises in activewear designed specifically for women, and carries everything from layering pieces to cosy knitwear. This season’s lookbook includes effortlessly cool co-ords that you can simply throw on and go. Say goodbye to old T-shirts and hello to matching workout sets that are performance-enhancing and functional.

You’ve probably heard powerlifters and bodybuilders warn against doing too much cardio and killing gains. Most people think of aerobic exercise as a way to shed pounds and trim the waistline, but building muscle, not so much. When we think about building muscle, most of us conjure up images like strength training, powerlifting, protein shakes, and chowing down on a big steak. While most of us know that aerobic exercise isn’t the main way to go when you really want to swell those muscles, recently, researchers wanted to explore if aerobic exercise helps you maintain muscle mass. Let’s look at the new research.

The study

In a study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers set out to understand if aerobic exercise can help you maintain the muscle mass you already have, which is good to know, especially considering that people usually lose muscle mass with aging.

Researchers measured muscle and fat tissue in 238 adults. 175 participants were asked to walk on a treadmill at moderate-to-vigorous intensity every week for between 12 to 24 weeks. The rest of the participants were categorized in the control group.  

The results

The researchers concluded that aerobic exercise doesn’t help build muscle, but it can help you maintain muscle mass you already have. Participants in the walking group preserved muscle mass more than the control group. However, even those that walked for 24 weeks still didn’t increase muscle mass.

The importance of protein

Researchers also tracked participants’ nutrition intake and found that those who consumed sufficient amounts of protein had the highest levels of muscle mass preservation. The International Association of Athletics Federations, or IAAF, recommends that runners and endurance athletes consume between 0.6 and 1.1 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

The takeaway

It’s worth noting that this study was smaller in size and only involved moderate-to-vigorous intensity walking on a treadmill. Even so, this study highlights how brisk walking can help you maintain your skeletal muscle mass, which is just another benefit to add to the list.

Most health and fitness experts recommend focusing on strength training and nutrition to optimize muscle growth. Still, aerobic exercise has plenty of benefits, so it’s worth including in your workout schedule.