Getty ImagesA few weeks ago, some of the country's premier celebrity trainers (you know, the folks who help famous people look so freakishly flawless) gathered in Santa Monica, Calif. for a three-day "Train Like A Celebrity" workout event sponsored by ASICS. In attendance were the personal trainers of some of the biggest stars in the world-basically those responsible for the fittest bodies in Hollywood. During some uncharacteristic downtime Shine talked to trainers-to-the-stars Valerie Waters (Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner), Kirschen Hagenlocher, (Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts), Michelle Lovitt (Courteney Cox, Yvonne Strahovski, Eve), and Christopher Lane (Valerie Bertinelli, Nicole Sullivan, Sara Rue) and asked them to spill all of their secrets…
Shine: What's your favorite, most inspiring celeb training story?
VW: Years ago when I was starting to train Bradley Cooper, he was on Alias at the time, and he was all excited about starting his training. The night before he was going to start training, he called me and said: "It is such a bummer, but I'm not going to be able to start tomorrow because I tore my Achilles tendon and am in a cast." My response to him was: "What's wrong with your upper body?" Ultimately, he showed up the next day on crutches and we proceeded to get him in unbelievable shape before the cast came off. By the time he went into physical therapy for rehab, he was already conditioned. He already had great muscle tone on his upper body and abs. He was really able to jump start his training. I can't tell you how many people have put off their training for various reasons and the point is, don't wait. Obviously, if consult your doctor and if you are able to work around your injury, work around it.
ML: Michelle Lovitt: My favorite celeb story is with Courteney Cox. When we first started training she was 
fearful of putting on too much muscle and hated cardio. She carries a great amount of "fast twitch" muscle. Think of a sprinter vs. a long-distance runner-long-distance runners are primarily "slow twitch." Once Court understood that we would detrain her fast twitch while doing long distance, interval training on the treadmill, making sure to stay in her fat-burning zone. She leaned out and now loves cardio.
CL: Running the Boston Marathon with Valerie Bertinelli three days before she turned 50. She wasn't even able to run for two miles two years prior. I also was really moved by Nicole Sullivan's son, who is 3, commenting on one of his preschool projects about how his mommy exercises. That's special because that's imprinting exercise at a young age. It makes me happy because that's the world he grows up in--one where there is exercise all around him.
Shine: What is the one most important tip you have for staying in shape? What's the best fitness advice you can offer a nonceleb?
VW: It comes down to "Decide." You have to decide that you want it. You can't wish your way to a better body, you can't hope your way to a better body, you can't be envious of the other bodies and think that you are going to get in shape and you can't read a blog post or a magazine and get in shape-you actually have to do the work. It doesn't need to take up your whole life, but you need to stop eating the junk (cut the sugar, cut the white flower, cut the soda) and eat real food (fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein) and you need to move.
KH: Find more than one sport that you enjoy and mix it up, cross-train. I wake up every day and decide that day what my body needs: a run, heavy or light weights, strong yoga, or an easy hike. I rest two days a week. Also, no bad thoughts!
ML: The most important advice when trying to get fit is knowing your numbers, calories in vs. calories out. If I could stress the importance of a heart rate monitor for getting and staying in shape, that would be it. You can work out anywhere without a trainer with this essential key item. I recommend the Garmin 610.
CL: Consistency is key! Find a gym buddy or someone to whom you are accountable. You're much more likely to go when you know someone else is also depending on you. Make exercising a daily part of your routine. Train your mind to think of it not as a luxury, but a priority.
Shine: If you only have 30 minutes to work out, what should you do to stay in shape?
VW: Circuit strength training. Get off the treadmill, get in the weight room, and keep moving.
KH: Run! Warm up for 10 minutes, run 10 minutes of intervals (three quarter speed for 45 seconds), run warm-up pace 1:15, and repeat five times. Cool down at a regular pace. You will feel like you've really accomplished something. If you can't run, spin. Same idea but on a bike.ML: Do interval training. Interval training can be done with weight, weights and cardio, or simply cardio. Aim to keep your heart rate between 60 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. A simple formula to determine your maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. Take that number and multiply it by .60 and .85; that is your ideal fat-burning and calorie-torching range.
Shine: Do you have a specific weight-loss regimen you teach your clients that really brings results?
KH: Weight loss is so tricky. I'm not a fan of dieting, and it attaches people to food in a way that is unhealthy. Eat to nourish your body; do not eat to nourish your soul.
VW: I have my Red Carpet Ready program, which is what all of my girls use to get that long, lean sexy look. I am getting ready to release I Want My Bikini Body Express, which is a three week program that will absolutely transform your body in three weeks.
CL: I always want my clients to be conscious. Be conscious in all aspects of their life, but specific to weight loss; be conscious about your calories. Know what you're eating. Weight loss isn't a mystery. The principles of weight loss are very simple: calories in vs. calories out. I ask people to write down everything that they eat, and then I ask them to tell me how many calories are in each of the food items. My clients can give you the calorie count on just about everything.Shine: Do you always follow your own rules or do you cheat? If so, what's your biggest indulgence?
VW: I am a real person that believes in eating clean and exercising and then going to the movies and eating popcorn.
KH: I came out of the womb running and have not stopped since. I feel my happiest self when I'm exercising. Since I was little I've never had coffee or soda, and I stopped drinking alcohol at 19. My weight hasn't changed since college. Having said that, a daily slice of flourless chocolate cake is a must!
ML: Moderation is the key to long-term success. Yes, I indulge in a glass of red wine at least once a week.
CL: I don't have a sweet tooth, but you could cover cardboard in cheese and I would eat it. I also love a good glass of wine. I will use what I call a preemptive strike on days when I know I'm going to indulge. I spend 45 extra minutes on top of my regular workout. I do this before, not after. That way there isn't guilt and I can enjoy myself.Related Stories:
Celebrity trainer tips for getting bikini ready
Wedding workout tips from celeb brides
Celeb-inspired playlist for your workout
"4 things I learned about celebrity fitness"
