As featured in the November/December 2009 issue of VIVmag, Pilates maven Risa Sheppard has been training “The Queen of Country,” Reba McEntire, for five years at her studios in both Toluca Lake and Westwood, CA. At their sessions, music plays in the background, since “unlike aerobics, Pilates is not supposed to be done to music, as it can take away from your concentration on the body and movements,” Sheppard says. “Music is not intended to ‘get you through’ a workout, but rather, it’s used to enhance it.”

McEntire and Sheppard like a wide variety of music. Sheppard says, “I love the music from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. I also love Broadway and classical because it is so soothing.” Sheppard, who describes McEntire as “fun-loving and someone who likes to laugh,” reminisces about a favorite experience with the country star: “One time we sang a gospel song together, and now I can always say, ‘I’ve sung with Reba McEntire!’ ”

To read the full article, download the November/December issue, available Nov. 1. Here is a list of classics from their playlist: