E! Online has a new interview with Halle Berry’s trainer, Peter Lee Thomas, who has worked with her for years. He’s clearly promoting something, but I was still interested in what he had to say as Halle is fitness goals at 51. She always looks amazing, and of course that’s due to hard work and consistent training. One thing that isn’t mentioned in this interview and which many people don’t realize is that Halle has type 1 diabetes, which used to be called juvenile diabetes. She has to watch her sugar and carb intake to manage her condition but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for her. Here’s some of what Peter told E! and the Instagram posts below have examples of exercises he does with Halle.
E! News: You’ve been training with Halle for a while now. It’s been years! What does a typical workout entail?
Thomas: She pretty much had a checklist of things she wanted as far as her physique is concerned and we had a bulletproof battle plan… You better believing we are doing some boxing, some kick boxing, some Muay Thai… I’m definitely working on those skill sets with her and she’s also doing strength and conditioning. She’s using kettle bells, bar bells, dumbbells, working on the pull up bar, doing dips, sprinting pushing heavy things, pulling stuff. It’s just a really dynamic way to jumpstart anyone’s metabolism.E! News: How many times do you guys usually train during the week?
Thomas: We typically meet up every day, 5 days a week. She’s putting in the work. She doesn’t mess around. That’s really, really great for me because I know that when we go there it’s like preparing for war. There’s an objective and there’s a goal.E! News: What exercises does Halle get most excited about?
Thomas: She loves to train her core, her legs. She likes to work her upper body as well. She likes to do push-ups. I don’t think there is a push-up out there that she can’t do.E! News: Any particular moves you avoid with Halle?
Thomas: We stay away from running far distances. She’s not really a long distance runner—not to say that she couldn’t do it—but we try to keep things explosive and really metabolic. For longevity purposes it saves your knees and joints. We’d rather do sprints rather than run five to 10 miles.E! News: How did you achieve Halle’s toned, but not overly muscular body?
Thomas: The time-tested concept of doing higher volume, more reps. We combine lower weights with higher repetition, and also using your body weight more. Going outside, not having to be fixed to a certain machine.
Peter plugs a specific meal plan and then ends by saying that he’s never met someone as dedicated as Halle. OK so Halle works out five days a week with her trainer (she probably does other stuff on the weekends) and does a lot of weights and body weight exercises. This is reminding me to stop doing so much cardio and to focus more on strength. I go to a class or two a week that includes light weight training but I prefer hard cardio like spinning, running and dance. Also I’m too concerned with the number on the scale when it should be more about how I feel and if I’m building muscle. It’s a hard balance that’s mostly in my head and I imagine it’s much worse for people in image-focused industries. Halle seems to be winning that war. I hate pushups and burpees but I’ll work more in if I get even a fraction of Halle’s results.
I would like to get a free plug in for my favorite YouTube trainers and workouts, which include Jessica Smith, PopSugar Fitness featuring JJ Dancer and Simone De La Rue, and The Fitness Marshall. There are so many more and you can work out at home from almost any device. All you need is some space and time. Fitness has changed my life and I can’t say enough good things about it. /motivational speech
Also this is Peter Lee Thomas. Holy sh-t he’s hot! He looks like Halle’s ex, Gabriel Aubry. His styling is similar at least.
Here’s a link to a pic of Halle’s butt and bare back while she’s doing a headstand. I don’t think our advertisers would like us posting it. Damn!
photos credit: Instagram/Halle Berry and WENN
I didn’t realize she had Type 1, but it makes sense because the movies industry can be cagey about hiring those with disability. Half of my mother’s siblings have it – one of the nastiest chronic conditions out there.
I could never get into HIT cardio. I will do two hours on a cycle or elliptical, but I’ll pass on the rigor of quick interval training and stick to my stamina-based cardio.
I read she doesn’t have type 1. She was probably misdiagnosed when she got that diagnosis. Source: abcnews.
I used to feel the same, but then I did HIIT training to come back from an accident and it works like a hot damn! Gotta be careful not to strain yourself, so I always work out with a heart rate monitor, but it gets results fast. That said, my two year goal is a marathon, just to say I did one after my accident.
He’s hot, she’s hot, I dunno how you work out with such a hot person watching you. Give me the least attractive trainer pls.
I had zero issues until he’s spouted the myth that high reps and low weight produce different results than low reps high weight.
Science does not support this. Studies are showing that repeats to failure produce the same results, regardless of the number of reps. They also show that your muscle size and strength does not changed based on your rep numbers, but is based on how many sets to failure.
That doesn’t sell though, so I guess even celeb trainers are still selling misinformation for fame and money.
As a stem cell disorder patient, inherited from birth and suffered years because science fails people a lot, I can genuinely say F*** Science. It’s not the be all and end all and I’m tired of hearing it pushed as such. If science doesn’t support what is giving people results, that could be because science hasn’t figured out how to prove it via science. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t work for people.
This! Carrie! Yes!!
I’m sorry you are hurt and I’m sorry medicine doesn’t have the answer for your condition. That doesn’t mean that science, in this case, exercise science and physiology, is incorrect.
In this example, science has caught up. That is my exact point. This person, who is an expert in their field, is sharing outdated and incorrect information. There is no difference between long reps to failure and lower reps to failure. The previous ideas have been proven wrong. Just as previous workout methods have been proven ineffective in decades past. Since you aren’t championing the old method of static flexing, I’m not sure why you are hung up on this particular change.
You aren’t the only person suffering from such disorders, btw. My father is still ill because of a stem cell disorder, and transplant. He is alive because of science. He is only here because of medicine. He’s not perfect, and he will most likely suffer side effect for the shortened years he has left, but that he has any is all due to science and medicine.
Maybe it my current lack of caffeine, but I’m really tired of people who don’t understand science and scientific process bashing it. I guess, why bother learning and changing when you can buy snake oil and avoid critical thought.
Wow. Don’t understand science? I have a diagnosis by biopsy. I’m over age 50.
My science teacher in high school by the way was a pervert and all girls were warned not to go for extra help because they’d be unsafe with him. So, when you assume people are stupid because they didn’t study science, please reach for understanding instead.
Meds are keeping me alive too for now. But I spent decades in pain and increasing isolation suffering alone with medicine claiming it was in my head because it was rare.
I have deceased family members I’ve cared for who were also failed by limits of science. I’ve worked with hematology, oncology, allergy, immunology, rheumatology, dermatology etc on and on while establishing a national org for my rare thing.
Before this illness knocked me out of life quality, I was an accountant with no time for anything non science. It was our local hospice, while mother was dying, which pushed us gently into palliative care forms not based on science.
So. Please. Get some coffee, and check yourself. Thank you for reading.
I understand that you’re hurt and I’m sorry for you. But throwing out the baby with the bathwater rarely helps (no matter how tempting it may be…). I hope science finds a cure or at least some relief for your illness soon.
@Deets, how can you say that science does not support this when physiology is genetic? There would be no debate if it’s acknowledged that your biology will determine what works best for you. That’s the only error in his statement is that low weights/high reps is true For Halle, which happens to be true for me too.
Totally with you Deets. The science is clear: muscle builds when you tear tissues and they repair themselves with proteins, the end. If anyone says there is a “skinny” or “feminine” way to gain muscle is selling snake oil.
She looks amazing. Go Halle! This is a good trend for her. Also inspiring.
My sister died due to Type 1. Reading about avoiding running for Halle gave a wince… could be unrelated but it’s not uncommon for diabetes to not allow much running. I thought Halle had type 2 but maybe it’s progressed for her. It’s incredibly difficult for some if not many. Now I understand her better as I’d forgotten about her diagnosis.
Thanks for sharing exercise links to trainers!
I’m a type 1 diabetic and an avid runner. Doctors don’t dissuade type 1s from running but they do warn to take especially good care of your feet and toes which could lead to severe issues if you don’t. Also you cannot progress from Type 2 to a Type 1 diabetic that is not how it works. Type 1 your pancreas stops working completely, it’s a autoimmune disease and no one knows why it occurs, typically a virus within the body. Type 2 occurs when your body cannot make enough insulin to control your blood sugars due to either diet and or an icrease in body weight and your body cannot catch up with it. At times if caught early Type 2 diabetes and it’s effects on the body can be reversed…Type 1 there is no cure and for now a lifelong illness. Type 1 & Type 2 are 2 completely different diseases and there is so much misconception.
Didn’t say they dissuade. I’m glad you’re well.
Family history also plays a major role in Type 2.
Type 1 here for 15 years, runner for 20 years. Never heard of such a thing where a doctor tells type 1’s not to run. True you must take care of your feet (blisters, open cuts, etc.) but in general all of my endocrinologists have highly encouraged a good exercise routine that includes cardio with heart rate elevated at least 3-5/week.
As JA said above, T1 and T2 are completely different diseases and the misconceptions, especially for those of us with T1, are rampant.
Never said doctors advise against it.
Sigh. Why am i here?
Indeed.
Type 1 here…23yrs thus far! Diet and exercise is vital for controlling it and some days you the struggle is real! Halle is body and fitness goals for sure…I’m 20yrs younger than her and pray that I’m in as good as shape as her when I reach my 50yrs. We know Halle is all kinds of a mess in relationships but physically she knows what she is doing
Type 1 here too…Halle for years has spouted all kinds of incorrect info about her disease. It’s never been clear whether she has type 1 or 2, but she advocates that she ‘weaned’ herself off of insulin, which you and I know is a ridiculous statement to make for a type 1.
Also @Celebitchy type 1 diabetics don’t need to be mindful of their sugar or carb intake. We can eat whatever we want, we just need to take the correct insulin dosage to cover what we’re eating…sorry but type 1 and type 2 diabetes are very different diseases.
T1 too! Happy to see so many of us here 🙂
Obvious, I’ve read that too about her so I’m thinking that’s why so many ppl confuse the types with her case. Ha! When I read she weaned herself off insulin I was like ummmm, what? I certainly wouldn’t take health advice from her but I do have ab envy!! 😉 Good luck from one Type 1 to another…it ain’t easy but hope you’re keeping on! 🙂
Maybe ‘weaned’ is the wrong word. I have a friend who is T1 and the more exercise he does, the less insulin he needs. He still needs it, and monitors his blood sugar closely, but he’s found that if his blood sugar is high, a few minutes of running on a treadmill can lower it to the point where he needs less insulin. He’s also a soccer-playing fiend, and finds if he misses a few practices his blood-sugar numbers start to creep up overall.
Hi Obvious! My son has a friend his age, a teenage girl, who has type 1. She told me if she eats more than 20 grams of carbs in a setting she has to take insulin so if she has something like that when she’s over I weigh it and do the math so it’s safe for her. To me that meant being mindful of sugar and carb intake in that she had to watch what she ate and take insulin for it. I may have phrased it wrong or misinterpreted it.
If she’s type 1 and tried to wean herself off insulin she’d be dead within days, period. Mr. Jaded has type 1 and is very healthy – works out 5 days a week – but I’ve experienced him going into diabetic seizures when his blood sugar plummets and it’s not pretty. If I hadn’t been there he’d be pushing up daisies.
She has always looked amazing and doesn’t seem to age. The training and diet are obviously important but I think she also has her genes to thank.
The pic with Halle and the trainer is hot!!
Her body is fit and healthy, I’m working towards that.
I don’t want to be waif thin but strong and healthy looking. Love the fact she keeps her face fresh and with little makeup. This is how you age without looking cartoonish and desperate.
She has done something weird to her eyes, though? She looks different but I can’t quite tell why.
Her trainer is drool-worthy and I could never work with someone who looks like that lololol
She looks amazing. Dang. I’m seven years younger than her so I clearly need to get off my butt and do more. And the weight lifting is key – I’ve always preferred running but, especially as I get older, it doesn’t seem to have the same impact (and I’m having problems with my feet and ankles). One of my best friends from high school is a mom of five who never exercised but she got into Body Pump and then weight lifting a couple of years ago and is absolutely ripped now. It’s almost intimidating. But, again, makes me realize that I have no excuses for not working out more. One plug, I just got a kettlebell and do Body by Amy kettlebell workouts on Youtube. I really like her, but I’ll have to check out some of the recommendations above. (And I just want to say here, because I refuse to click on any postings about him to do this: I wish Sean Pean would just go away.)
I hate Body Pump but I take it every week because I’ve seen amazing results. I do a lot of the Les Mills classes and really enjoy them. BP is the exception though—just too structured/predictable for me. But yeah, it’s an awesome way to build muscle/strength.
She is unreal, so gorgeous.
My oldest brother always had a great physique, but kind of barrel-chested like Ben Affleck. By his late 30s he started gaining weight and looked like that for a decade, out of shape and bloated looking. He got into stand-up paddle surfing. He was a regular surfer when younger. He spends hours out in the ocean catching waves like that, and his body is now that of a much younger man. His arms and shoulders and core muscles are unbelievable. He’s also really slimmed down from it.
I think there’s a lot of exercises and physical activity that can keep your body in shape and stronger, which is great for you as you age, having a strong, fit body. It’s finding what works for you and what you enjoy.
Good for Halle. She looks amazing.
She also had a baby well into her 40s, as did I, and that weight is hard to shed. She’s an inspiration.
My husband also got into stand up paddle boarding about 7 years ago and it has made him incredibly fit. He has always been in good shape, he’s now in the best shape of his life since his teens and twenties and he just turned 65!
Her diabetes story is inspirational. Type 1 is no joke!
Go Go Fitness Marshall! He is hilarious, to music. You can laugh during your workout. A good example is Fitness Marshall’s The Shape of You, please youtube it. I laughed at “PAT YO PLAYGROUND!” and lost it at “YOU CAN SPIN AROUND AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE, ITS YOUR LIFE!” It’s cardio, it’s music, it’s easy to learn choreography and you can laugh at the same time. “Now, a dance battle. Because EVERYTHING is solved with a dance battle.”
I second this—the Fitness Marshall is awesome! I also follow Blogilates, and I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. With so many free and fun videos on YouTube, there’s no excuse anyone not to exercise (unless of course you don’t have computers/devices, Wi-if, etc., obviously).
She’s a straight-up smoke show.
I didn’t go to the gym today. With summer approaching the gym is packed with teenagers that think that in 2 months they can make up for the whole year of rest and be in shape and they make a mess at the gym. Also I am confused as what to do there now. I have no upper body strength and can’t do push ups for the life of me, not even one. I do all the right exercises as I was told but…. Also my cellulites in my thighs doesn’t seem to ever go away even if I do weights for them. Sure the guy who is supposed to watch us and give us advices is a mere DJ just taking care of the loud music so no personal trainer there for me but I have watched some of the ripped guys there and I do most of what they do with less weights and yet…. I must be doing something wrong. SAD
Halle is in excellent shape. It puts me to shame.
A couple things. 1) you can’t get rid of cellulite in spots. You can’t really target spots to lose weight. Lifting weights is awesome, but if you want to change your body you need to be aware of what you’re eating. You can’t out-exercise a bad diet. And 2) find a fun group exercise class. It can be hard wandering around the gym by yourself. There’s such a great range available, including classes with weights. It’ll give you more focus and direction and I’d be willing to bet that it’s more fun!
@Bridget you probably are not coming back on this post but thank you for your advices. The eating part might be true. in fact I can’t escape some kind of foods as I find them everywhere in my culture: bread, sweets, butter etc. I am not heavy, in fact I am at my ideal weight it’s just that I have this problematic areas. I will see on my diet and fix something. As for the group exercise classes here where I live there are only zumba classes where I have been before and I liked it until it became to crowded to move properly. I don’t mind being by myself at the gym most of the time. I just wish someone tells me time to time what to do and how to do it properly. I have injured myself just by running on the treadmill to long.
LOL, running is actually good for your knees and joints – impact exercise (like running) and lifting weights is good for bone density. You’re more likely to get injured in a sport that involves pivoting and cutting movement. THAT will screw up your knees big.
Her fitness dude looks like future husband material for her. It would surprise me not in the least. Despite her bad luck with men, this guy is HOT. I wish her good luck if that is her plan. If not, then pass him along to me (just kidding).
I love Jessica’s Smith! Also Paula B fitness. And Lucy Wyndham-Read, although I might have ballsed up her last name. I love YouTube for workouts.
I was diagnosed with insulin resistance (pre diabetes type 2) in november of 2017 and begun training with a personal trainer in january of this year because I couldn´t drop any weight (one of the effects of what I have). In two months my blood work came out PERFECT and I have gained so much strength it´s crazy. I do circuit training 2 times a week with my trainer, and I train alone 4 times a week. I havent lost any weight yet (the meds are not working… sigh.) but Im definitely seeing some minor results in my health and strength. Now I just need for my body to stop storing fat and start producing energy.
Thanks for all the you tube exercise channels everyone!!
Can you include what they said about her diet? I heard she credits a ketogenic diet for anti-aging, getting her type 1 diabetes to become type 2 and keeping her in fat burning mode. I’d like to hear what they said about her diet.