Q&A: Gunnar Peterson, Celebrity Trainer (Plus, Save 50% on the Gunnar Challenge!)
Gunnar Peterson has trained numerous athletes, spanning NBA, NFL, and USTA players, as well as celebs, like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. And now he can train you. On July 30 the Hollywood heavyweight launches the second Gunnar Challenge. The eight-week online program hooks up users with customizable exercises, a low-calorie meal plan, motivational video messages, and community support. Best of all, Fitbie readers get a 50% discount! When registering at gunnarchallenge.com, just type FITBIE7 into the promotion code field after you click "join now." For more on Gunnar, read on. We recently chatted with the Hollywood trainer about his secret to shaping up the stars, gym gripes, guilty pleasures, and more.
What’s the best advice you could offer people about shaping up?
To start. It's never too late to start. That sounds trite, but it’s not. The biggest thing is to get started, get it going. Try a lot of things and keep going until you find something that clicks with you. If you hate weight lifting, don’t sign up for bootcamp. Don’t always swim upstream.
How about for people who are already in pretty good shape and want to get fitter?
They should check their rest. A lot of people push toward adding more exercise-wise, but they’re probably under-recovering. Focus on getting some more sleep or taking a rest day.
What’s your overall approach when working with clients?
I provide something consistent that they’ll gravitate toward over time. There’s a lot of transience, in terms of what’s trendy and what works, so I try to be the one thing that people can always depend on.
Walk me through your own workout routine.
I work out six days a week. I do weights and cardio with varying duration and intensity and sequencing. A ton of movement is involved. I like moving lunges, band work, heavy sandbags, ropes, and every machine in the world.
Do you have a favorite total-body move?
It depends on the person or the goal, but you can get a lot out of a dumbbell squat with a twisting press. I like the combination. I also like a pushup to mountain climber.
What’s your favorite fitness food?
I’m a strawberries guy.
And your guilty pleasure?
Reese’s peanut butter cups. I would shank my grandmother for one of those.
What’s your pet peeve?
People who say getting fit is a priority, but by their actions you can tell it’s not. And in the gym, I hate it when people leave the tops off their water bottles. That tells me we’re going to have a spill. If the top’s off I start to twitch.
Who is your fitness role model?
Jack LaLanne. He’s the real deal. He was way ahead of his time. Also Joe Weider. He founded the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest.
What are three fitness products you can’t live without?
If you left me stranded on a desert island with a pair of Under Armour Micro G shoes, a large bottle of original flavored Gatorade, and a set of adjustable dumbbells, when you came back I’d still be in shape.
What’s on your workout playlist?
"In for the Kill" by La Roux, "Birthday Cake" by Rihanna, "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida, "Goodies" by Ciara, and "Let’s Go Crazy" by Prince.
|
|
|
Log In With Facebook to post a comment |
