Fit: The Power of Playmates

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IT SOUNDS LIKE the set-up for a joke — or possibly porn — but we swear "ENVYGirls" ($30) is actually a workout DVD set.

The 2006 Playboy Playmate of the Year, Miss Hooters International 2004, Maxim Hometown Hotties Winner 2004 and a "top model" make up an elite exercise team called ENVY. Each represents an exquisite body part (abs, buns, legs and arms), and their mission is to show other women how they, too, can achieve such perfection. Kara Monaco, at right, the Playmate and possessor of the "legs of ENVY," revealed what happened behind the scenes.

» EXPRESS: Have you always thought of yourself as having good legs?
» MONACO: They're my best feature. We all fit the body parts they gave us — Martina has the best ass, CJ's stomach is extremely flat and Brittany has these perfect little arms.

» EXPRESS: How important is exercise to you?
» MONACO: I've grown up just being so active. It gives me a lot of energy, so I do it four to five times a week. I'm not a big gym person, though, because I get too bored. So, I like hiking and going outdoors, or I'll stay in and do the ENVY videos for some toning.

» EXPRESS: Is there pressure at Playboy to work out a lot?
» MONACO: When you sign your contract, you say you're going to look the way you look and not get any bigger or smaller. So, they encourage exercise, but they never tell us what to do.

» EXPRESS: Do Playmates work out together?
» MONACO: The Sports Club/LA gives out free memberships for Playmates, so a lot of them go there.

» EXPRESS: So, how much did you have to prepare for this shoot?
» MONACO: For a little over a month and a half, we trained five times a week. But we needed it, because it's a challenging workout, and each of the four DVDs has a 20-minute routine. We shot each five to six times, so by the time we were done, we were in the best shape ever.

» EXPRESS: What's your fave DVD exercise?
» MONACO: The gecko. It's for your abs. You're down on your forearms doing this kind of push-up. I've noticed such a difference since doing it.

» EXPRESS: Why do you have a different name on the DVD?
» MONACO: The producers thought it was this great idea that we'd be the Spice Girls of fitness and each have a character. As Vala, I'm supposed to be the cheerleader girl, so they put me in a lot of pink.

» EXPRESS: How much are you like Vala? And do you dress like her in real life?
» MONACO: I am girl-next-door-y, but I don't really like pink. I wear a lot of black. And it was really hot, so we wore very small workout attire. But I cover up more than that. I don't even wear shorts to work out — I like capris.

» EXPRESS: Is this meant for men or women?
» MONACO: We certainly don't discourage men, but we're trying to do this for women.

Photo courtesy Lionsgate