Even with the support of a Kardashian spin-off, celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson says that getting a “Revenge Body” is still hard work.
“You think that because it’s all laid out for you that it’s going to be easy to execute, it’s not,” Peterson told Page Six of the reality TV show. “There’s a lot of discipline and there are a lot of mental games.”
Peterson, who has trained NBA athletes and stars (including the creator of “Revenge Body” Khloé Kardashian), has also been a guru on the show for all three seasons.
“I’m the OG on there!” he said.
He explained that although “Revenge Body” clients have access to celeb-status luxuries like personal trainers, nutritionists, and stylists, they have to be ready to put the work in.
“They’re thrown into what may look like, ‘Oh, cool so I get a trainer, somebody to help me with my diet, this is gonna be great,’ … there’s still a lot of work required on the contestants part,” he said. “If [the transformation] doesn’t happen the way they envision it happening right out of the gate, then there’s self-doubt and then there’s self-criticism.”
But Peterson makes it a point to let his clients know that he’s there for them throughout the entire process.
“You have to remind them, ‘Hey I’m on your team, I’m here for you, I’m your guy, I’m checking in with you just to make sure we stay the course so this becomes routine,” he said, noting that a sweat session should be as habitual as taking a shower.
“Treat it like a first date, treat it like a fight, treat it like a job interview,” he said. “You’re not going to cancel those.”
And as for his time helping the show’s host get her own “Revenge Body,” following her dramatic split from Lamar Odom and public ups and downs with baby daddy Tristan Thompson, he credits her sustained transformation to her dedication to the gym.
“She never missed,” he said. “It just became a thing for her and if she was shooting ‘Keeping Up’ or if she had a photo shoot or she had to travel or whatever, she built that around this, she was consistent.”
Peterson still trains the reality star when she’s in town, and mentioned that despite her drama in her personal life, she’s able to prioritize her health.
“I think Khloé has a terrific ability to compartmentalize,” he said. “I think a lot of people at that level do, entertainers who have projects, TV deals, record deals, clubbing deals, fragrance deals, liquor deals, they have a family, they maintain a certain level of fitness, those people are able to compartmentalize and to apply the energy when needed and take the foot off that gas when not needed, I think Khloé, all those high achievers do that.”
“Whatever stress is the most depressing in their life, that’s still not going to get in the way of the workout because the workout is such a non-negotiable,” he added.
He also commended the “Good American” designer bringing her “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” audience into the health and fitness space in an authentic way.
“I think it’s connecting on a deeper level,” he said, comparing “Revenge Body” to the family’s reality show. “Whether it’s the same audience or a new audience, it’s a much more invested fan base and she’s very responsible with her influence, I think it’s great that she’s using it for good.”
Season 3 of “Revenge Body” premieres on July 7.