Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson [1] is no stranger to pet projects. Not only did he help Jennifer Lopez [2] train for her triathlon last Fall, he also teamed up with Molly Sims [3] to help the canine set get some more exercise with the PetFit Challenge. These days he is teaming up with Gatorade [4] to spread the fitness word, which he did at the G Gym during the Sundance Film Festival [5]. Recently, I was able to do a brief interview with him — he is a busy man. More a man of action than words, I went right to the heart of the matter and asked about core work.
FitSugar: Let's get down to business — what is your favorite core exercise?
Gunnar Peterson: I’m a big fan of the wood chop [6], whether it’s standing with a medicine ball, kneeling with a cable, or on a stability ball with a dumbbell.
FS: If I only have time for one strength training move at the gym, what multitasking move should I do?
GP: Squat with bicep curl and overhead dumbbell press, all in one.
FS: What do you recommend for a post-workout snack, after a 60-minute training session of cardio and strength training?
GP: This is what I would consider perfect eating after a workout: salmon, a yam, broccoli and Gatorade.
FS: Speaking of Gatorade, what is your favorite flavor, and when do you think sports drinks come in handy?
GP: I am a lemon lime lover! The original G (Gatorade) for the original G (Gunnar)! You should drink Gatorade during a vigorous workout and post vigorous workout, sports drinks are best.
To hear what Gunnar has to say about training celebs, .
FS: Tell us one thing we don’t know about celeb fitness. What is your typical day like? When do you work out?
GP: My typical day starts at 4 a.m. I train before my clients, and I work with seven to nine people between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. While that may not sound like a great day to some, it’s a great day to me. Celebrities work out a lot harder and a lot more consistently than they’re given credit for. They do what they do as well as they do it in peak condition under a microscope. That’s a tall order to fill.
FS: If we could change one thing to live fitter/healthier lives, what would it be?
GP: Get more sleep.
FS: What do you think of reality weight loss TV shows, like the Biggest Loser? What about Jackie Warner’s Workout?
GP: Any show that motivates people to do more for health and fitness than they’re currently doing is a success in my book.
FS: Any advice for folks making New Year’s resolutions to lose weight?
GP: Don’t make a big deal out of the resolution. Of the three “D’s” involved — decide, discuss, and do — eliminate “discuss.”