Long, lean Shelley Hennig (Stephanie, DAYS) has found a brand-new way to keep her body in tip-top shape, and it all revolves around a ballet bar. The actress fills us in on the exercise routine that she not only loves, but also credits with changing her life.Soap Opera Weekly: You sound very excited about this new routine of yours. What can you tell us about it?
Shelley Hennig: I work out at a place called Cardio Barre with Molly Burnett (Melanie). I try to go four or five times a week. There’s a ballet bar, and they play music. What you’re doing is fast ballet movements. So it’s a lot of cardio work and ballet form, which I love.
Weekly: Did you introduce Molly to this, or did she turn you on to it?
Hennig: I heard about it from numerous people. Molly actually started going before me. I didn’t have the guts to try this intense workout. When I finally decided to give it a try, it changed my life. It really has. I actually look forward to it, and I hate working out.
Weekly: You hate working out?!
Hennig: I do [laughs]! I love to eat. I’m from New Orleans. I eat like nobody’s business. So to find a workout that I actually look forward to is a lifesaver.
Weekly: What’s the class like?
Hennig: It’s an hour long, and there are 30 people in the room. We all have our own space working at the ballet bar. You get to stretch at the end. If I ever decided to start dancing professionally again, I could do it in a heartbeat, thanks to this class. I have my strength back now, as well as my flexibility.
Weekly: Where have you noticed the biggest change in your body?
Hennig: Well, women tend to put weight on in their hips, and that’s usually hard to [get rid of]. I have really toned up that area a lot since I started this.
Weekly: Are you and Molly compatible workout partners?
Hennig: We totally are. We both enjoy the class a lot. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen each other at Cardio Barre in a while, because our schedules have been completely different. But when I see her there, I get excited. It’s always fun to work out with someone.