Q&A: How Celebrity Trainer Harley Pasternak Stays in Shape While Traveling

by  Hilary Sheinbaum | Feb 26, 2015
Working out
Working out / nd3000/iStock

Harley Pasternak is always on the go -- and not just because he's a Hollywood fitness trainer. The nutritionist and best-selling author is jet-setting around the world if he's not in the gym with celebrity clients like Rihanna, Halle Berry, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian (among others).

Many of us tend to take a break from our exercise regimen during vacation, but there is no excuse to. "These days, every hotel in the world has a gym," says Harley. To get the scoop on exactly how he stays fit while traveling, we caught up with Harley on one of his recent trips to the CocoaVia wellness launch event in NYC, where the brand celebrated heart health month. Here's what the guy that keeps Katy Perry looking perfect had to say.

How do you stay in shape while on vacation or on the road?
I actually live on the road most of the time. I traveled 400,000 air miles last year. I always travel with snacks.

What kind of snacks are you carrying along?
I always travel with roasted chickpeas, turkey jerky, or beef jerky. I keep snack bars and packets of almond butter or peanut butter in my bag.

What other tips do you practice?
I make sure that I eat before I go to the airport. They have Core Power in the U.S., so before I get on the plane, I buy a bottle of it. It's 150 calories of just protein. And I stay really hydrated, so I get the biggest thing of water before I get on the plane.

How about when you arrive at your destination?
I make sure that the second I land I exercise. I wear a Fitbit -- it doesn't matter where I am in the world, I have a step goal of 14,000 to hit every day. So I walk everywhere I go; I sightsee or walk in a new destination. I'll do my resistance workout, regardless of where I am.

What are the best locations for walking?
Budapest is amazing; Manhattan, of course; and Tokyo -- that's my favorite walking city.

What about sleep? If it's important, how do you manage it when you travel?
I chart my sleep with the Fitbit, too. I try to stay on a schedule with the sunlight.

What resorts really have it together in terms of health and fitness?
Viceroy, around the world, and the Four Seasons. They're killing it. Everything about their whole environment, from walking trails to great gyms.

Quotes have been edited for clarity.

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