The Fitness Nazi

A personal trainer in Beverly Hills, California, gunnar petersonâ€™s clients include the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Sylvester Stallone, Pete Sampras et al. Having struggled with weight issues himself, Gunnar is not only fighting fit today, but is internationally popular for his fitness solutions and advice, and has a series of self-developed workout routines (available on DVDS) to his credit. spriha srivastava elicits some tips and secrets from the slippery fitness guru usually tough to corner...

How did you get into fitness?

I was a chubby kid, but was extremely active and played all sports. I learned about controlling my weight, and more importantly for me at the time working on my physique through exercise and diet during and after college. Controlling how I looked and changing my body was extremely empowering to me. I guess I wanted to share that with other people who also felt challenged.

You have been Jennifer Lopez’s fitness trainer; how did she get that ‘bubble butt’? Can anyone who follows the routine get it?

First and foremost, genetics play a big role. On top of that, her work ethic is second to none and she makes good choices in and out of the gym. We do a series of varied foot position squats and any number of lunging movements. We also mix in sprint work as well as stair work. It’s a pretty comprehensive program and it changes all the time so that the body has to constantly adapt. This also encourages the body to change.

JLO also did a lot of Krav Maga to get fit. What effects does martial arts have on the body?

She did that for Enough because I set her up with my instructor for that to get the kind of body which was required. Martial art in general has techniques that can work on your endurance levels, your explosiveness and your flexibility.

How was it working with Sylvester Stallone? Share some anecdotes from the time you trained him.

I have worked with Sly for over a decade. I’ve never met a more entertaining person. He’s got an opinion on any and every subject and he can back it up well and have you laughing in minutes. Some anecdotes? I don’t share those... that’s why people stay with me!

You have trained sportspersons as well. How do fitness and training needs of athletes differ from those of movie stars?

The schedule varies depending on where they are in their programme. We work towards specific goals, whether that’s a match for a player or a scene for an actor. They may train every other day. Some go two days on, one off; and some go two on and then two off. Some train five days in a row and take the weekend off. It really depends on the person and the situation he is in. I’ve had people do two-a-day, which is training in the morning and then again at night for two to three weeks leading up to a project.

Whose body did you find the toughest to work upon?

I have never had anyone that was tough to work on. The people who come to me are there because they want to be there. So they do put in hard work. Anyone who would have been tough to train on would have probably left before it got tough...When the going gets tough, the tough get going! That’s how it has been.

From all those you've trained, who will you say was the most sincere and dedicated to fitness?

Hard to say. Put it this way, those who are at the top and remain there for a long period of time are there for a reason. They do the work on all levels. They answer the bell every time. That dedication crosses over from craft to gym to sport to family to self improvement. I have yet to be surprised by anyone’s long term success.

Who was the laziest?

The laziest? Oh, that would have to be… I would never answer that!

Who do you think has the best body in Hollywood?

I would refer to the magazine polls for that. I think it’s in the eye of the beholder as well as in the attitude that goes with the body. Even if someone has a ridiculous physique, if they are not engaging, it’s hard to see past that.

The perfect six pack is in vogue. What kind of routine and diet should one follow to get a six pack?

The abdominals are a complex muscle group and have to be hit from a number of different angles with varying intensity. One should also use resistance to compliment many of the movements. As for one’s diet, one should attempt to eat foods which are closer to their natural state. It is important to avoid fried food. Also, avoid over-processed foods. Focus on leafy greens, fruits, high quality protein and quality grains.

What are the two most common myths about health and fitness?

That weights will make women big. They will not if you are not eating big and sleeping a lot. The other one is that Pilates makes muscles ‘long and lean’. Muscle belly length is genetic. Muscles originate and insert where they originate and insert. Pilates cannot change that. And to say a muscle is ‘lean’ is funny because it’s redundant. Muscle is lean by definition. You don’t have a so-called ‘fat’ muscle.

You have established yourself as a fitness expert. What next from here?

I’m in this for a long haul. I love my work right from the hours with the people training with me to learning and talking about fitness, to constantly working on finding something more efficient and more efficacious so that people have a better workout and then enjoy more of life... a higher quality life for a longer time. Pretty simple, right?

spriha.srivastava@planmanmedia.com

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