Fitness Tips From Top Celebrity Personal Trainers
Celebrities are paid to look good and stay in shape, so they need to be sure that their personal trainers really know what they're doing. Training experts who have worked with stars like Courteney Cox and Kate Upton are sharing their advice on staying fit. From getting in enough steps each day to being sure you're eating enough, there are plenty of suggestions that can bring your workout to the next level. Read on to see what these celebrity trainers have the famous faces of Hollywood do to stay in shape.
Pink's Trainer Says Schedule Your Workouts
When it comes to working out, one of the hardest parts is just getting yourself going. Once you've started and your blood is pumping, it's all downhill from there. That's why Jeanette Jenkins, pictured here with Pink, recommends treating working out like any other meeting or chore and putting it in a schedule.
Jeanette has also worked with singers Alicia Keys and Kelly Rowland. All these women have been in great shape for years, and we would bet that they pencil exercise into their schedules. You can even put it in your phone and set an alarm so you don't forget.
Jordana Brewster's Trainer Says Take 10,000 Steps A Day
You may have heard the rule about doing 10,000 steps a day before. Having a device that counts your steps can be very helpful in accomplishing this. The primary goal is just to keep moving. Celeb trainer Harley Pasternak says that moving a little more each day is a vital part of staying fit.
He's worked with Jordana Brewster, Katy Perry, and Megan Fox, so we're sure Harley knows what he's talking about. Plus, he follows his own advice. The trainer said, "I got rid of my coffee machine, and instead, walk to get coffee every morning."
Gwyneth Paltrow's Trainer Is Against Cardio Television
Many gyms have televisions all over the place. There is even cardio equipment that has a television built into it. Still, personal trainer Tracy Anderson says you should avoid putting on a show while working out because "you don't work out as intensely."
Tracy has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Richie, and many other celebrities. She explains that when you're distracted by television, you're less likely to push yourself and thus end up burning fewer calories. Instead, focus on giving your workout your all so that you can accomplish more in less time.
Chris Pine's Trainer Says Posture And Stability Are Vital
Actor Chris Pine relied on personal trainer Paul Vincent, of Altus Sports Institute in Santa Monica, to get him in shape for his role in Star Trek. Vincent believes that good posture is an important building block for fitness.
Vincent said he had Chris do an early morning workout with a stability ball to get his metabolism going. "The ball provides bodyweight resistance, while allowing you to stretch your back for proper posture." They also did cross-training workouts with cardio.
Minka Kelly's Trainer Believes Consistency Is Key
If you've ever wondered how Minka Kelly, Khloé and Kim Kardashian, or Sofia Vergara stay in shape, there's one secret that may be the key. Their trainer, Gunnar Peterson, says "a little bit all the time is better than a lot every now and again."
Rather than pushing yourself really hard a few times in a row and then abandoning ship, it's best to do a smaller workout that you know you can pull off every day.
Cameron Diaz's Trainer Says Workout In The Morning
You may have heard that working out in the morning is better than any other time of day. Though there's some debate about whether or not the time of day impacts your results, it can be helpful to get your workout over with first thing.
Trainer Teddy Bass says of working out, "If you wait, something else will come up." Teddy has worked with Cameron Diaz, Lucy Lui, and Christina Applegate, all famous actresses who know about having a busy schedule. Knocking out a workout first thing ensures that other things don't get in the way.
Jennifer Aniston's Trainer Says Love Your Body As Is
Celebrity personal trainer Mandy Ingber says, "Having the body you want begins with loving the body you have." Though it may seem counterintuitive, getting into shape starts with confidence. If you're down on yourself, then it will be much harder to get into the gym and be consistent.
Mandy has trained actresses Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, and Jennifer Lawrence. Even these stars have their insecure moments, and the last thing you want is to exacerbate negative thoughts by obsessing over the end goal. Being grateful for the body you have can motivate you to take care of it.
Madonna's Trainer: Put Some Emotion Into It
Personal trainer Nicole Winhoffer, who has worked with Madonna and Rachel Weisz, emphasizes putting emotion into your workout. She says, "Emotions stored in the body can cause imbalance and stagnation."
That's why she suggests putting every emotion, from anger to happiness, into your movements. Imagine punching out all your fears, letting joy burst through you as you run, or melting away the sadness with every repetition. If you express your feelings instead of resisting them, you're bound to have a more worthwhile workout.
Jessica Alba's Trainer Suggests Measuring Yourself With Clothes
Relying too much on the scale can be frustrating since bodyweight fluctuates and doesn't account for muscle mass. That's why celebrity trainer Ramona Braganza suggests using clothes as a way to measure your progress.
She says, "Every week, try on the same pair of jeans." The technique seems to be working for Ramona's famous clients, which include Kate Beckinsale, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Alba. After all, looking good in your clothes is a more tangible goal than reaching an arbitrary number on the scale, unless it's for health-related purposes.
Heidi Klum's Trainer Says Eat First
When working out, it's important that you have enough fuel to keep you going. Personal trainer David Kirsch says, "An apple or a protein bar are convenient choices that help boost your workout and give your body an extra edge when exercising."
David has worked with Jennifer Lopez, who doesn't seem to be capable of aging. He's also trained Kate Upton and Liv Tyler, both of whom are used to being in the public eye. As David says, having something small can help ensure you aren't slacking due to hunger.
Courteney Cox's Trainer Says Get A Heart Rate Monitor
Actress Courteney Cox has trained with Michelle Lovitt, as have Lauren Graham and Amber Valletta. Michelle's biggest piece of advice is to get a heart rate monitor, saying that it "helps you train smarter, not harder."
She went on to explain that seeing your heart rate helps you know how hard you're really pushing yourself. Especially on days when you aren't filling particularly jazzed about being active, heart rate monitors can help ensure that you put in the same amount of work you would on other days. This way, you can get to your goals faster.
Julianne Hough's Trainer: Make Exercise A Lifestyle
These days, a common phrase is "it's not a diet; it's a lifestyle." The same is true for working out! Julianne Hough's trainer, Astrid Swan, says, "If you find a way to make your workouts a part of your lifestyle, you will always feel and be at your best!"
Working out makes you feel and look great, so making it a regular part of your day to day helps prevent sluggishness. If you are only planning on making it a habit for a set amount of time, then you're bound to end up right back where you started.
Kristen Bell's Trainer Suggests Doing 40+ Minutes Of Cardio
Cardio can be a quick way to burn up calories, but trainer Andie Hecker suggests sticking it out for more than half an hour. The ballet dancer and pilates enthusiast warns that "it takes 35 minutes to burn off blood sugar before your body can start metabolizing fat."
Some of Andie's famous clients include Natalie Portman, Kristen Bell, and Ginnifer Goodwin. Andie acknowledges that 15 minutes of cardio is "better than nothing," but encourages her celebrity friends to push themselves longer to get leaner more efficiently.
Incorporate Your Favorite Unhealthy Foods Into A Balanced Diet
The last thing you want to do is throw away a workout with some junk food, but balance is key. One cheat meal isn't going to undo all of your progress. On the contrary, it may even help.
Teddy Bass, who has worked with Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, says, "I don't like banning a food completely, because then you'll crave it the most." Allowing yourself to eat your favorite food within reason helps prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by everything you can't have.
Workout Multiple Muscle Groups At Once
Celebrity trainer Andie Hecker, who has worked with model Miranda Kerr, recommends multiple muscle groups at once. She explains, "You burn more calories when you work your upper and lower body at the same time." Some examples Andie gives are swimming and using a weighted jump rope.
Since muscles burn calories, targeting large muscle groups all over the body is a sure way to burn up your fat and get your heart rate up. Whether you're doing cardio, weight training, or anything in between, moving your entire body is a great way to lean out.
Switch Up Your Routine
Celebrity trainer Teddy Bass warns that doing the same thing for an extended amount of time will cause your progress to plateau. He explains, "You can't keep doing the same Spinning class or 20-minute jog and expect a different result."
Since the body is incredibly adaptive, it's helpful to mix up your workouts so that your muscles don't get used to your workout. Plus, different forms of exercise can target a wider variety of areas in the body.
Count Reps Instead Of Measuring With Time
Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson (seen here working with Giuliana Rancic) says that a better way to measure any activity is through reps rather than time. He states, "Instead of jumping rope for ten minutes, do it for 100 jumps. If you measure accomplishment by time, there's no incentive to go harder." The same goes for other exercises.
If you know that the clock is going to run out regardless of how much you push yourself, then it's easier to slack off until the alarm goes off. On the other hand, if you know there's a certain number of reps you need to achieve, you're more likely to get moving.
Rest Days Are A Must
Celebrity trainer Ramona Braganza says that working out five days a week is the max because your muscles need proper time to recuperate. If you work out every day of the week, then your body doesn't have time to rejuvenate.
Ramona points out that having downtime leads to better workouts and muscle growth. It's better to pace yourself so that you can maintain your workout schedule than to push yourself too hard and end up wearing yourself out. Going on a walk with a friend can be a great activity for those days you're skipping a full workout.
Don't Rely On A Liquid Diet
Though green drinks can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet, they don't replace substantial meals. Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak warns that juice fasts and cleanses are "not effective, sustainable, or healthy."
Having a complete diet is paramount when it comes to working out. Food is your body's fuel, and while omitting unhealthy foods is helpful, it's also important to make sure that you get enough of the nutrients your muscles need. Plus, growing muscles helps burn more fat.
Move Throughout The Day
Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak says that moving around isn't only important because it helps you get your steps in, but also because it curbs your snacking. He states, "You're more likely to eat when you're sitting than when you're moving around."
Harley suggests making small adjustments throughout the day that encourage you to move more. He says, "Take the stairs, park far away, or get out of the cab and walk." Though it may not seem like it's making a big difference, habits add up.