HYDRATION CHECK WITH HARLEY PASTERNAK

We always enjoy catching up with Harley Pasternak, MSc, celebrity trainer, nutritionist and Propel ambassador. He is someone that is not only passionate about working out and food nutrition, but he also believes in the importance of hydration as these three things optimize your body as you go about your day. We wanted to see what he has been up to since we talked to him last summer; get some tips on working out; solo or with friends without equipment and what tools he enjoys using.

ATHLEISURE MAG: With everyone being able to enjoy summer weather, what are the best exercises that we can do outside that don’t require equipment?

HARLEY PASTERNAK: Walk! Walking is still my absolute favorite exercise because it does not require any special equipment, you can do it throughout the day, it can be a form of socialization, and you can even watch your favorite TV show or movie if you have access to a treadmill indoors. I make sure my Fitbit reads at least 12,000 steps every single day!

AM: For those that want to have their friends, family or small groups to workout together, what kinds of workouts do you suggest for this?

HP: Aside from walking as a group, fun games like pickleball or ultimate frisbee are great ways to get a bunch of people involved in a healthy competitive activity that burns lots of calories. Circuit is also a fun way to include a group of people, by having a few different stations, each of which has a different exercise that people can cycle through.

AM: For those continuing to build their home gyms and as you have designed and developed various equipment, what do you suggest should be added to people’s homes?

HP: I’m a big fan of dumbbells. Their versatility is unrivaled. Aside from having some dumbbells, I love a TRX suspension strap, sliders, a good exercise bench, and an elastic headband. If you’re looking for something a little upmarket, nothing comes close to FORME for a digital hardware solution, or you can access some awesome digital content that does not require any equipment at Alo Moves.

AM: What are some tips that we need to incorporate post workout for our recovery?

HP: Hydration is key! Most of the people that come to my gym show up already dehydrated. We actually focus on pre-hydrating, hydrating throughout the workout, and rehydrating right after.

AM: Hydration is important and even more so when we’re in the midst of summer heat, what are your suggestions for this?

HP: I’ve been a big believer in Propel Fitness Water for a few years. The fact that you can get fluids and electrolytes into your body without sugar, goes a long way. Also research shows that flavored water leads to people drinking more fluids than unflavored water. The Propel Powder Packs are super convenient because you can put them into an empty bottle – like the Propel reusable bottle – add water, and shake.

AM: How much hydration should we be consuming on average and what’s the best way to go about that each day?

HP: I tell my clients that 3 L of fluids each day is a must. If you are exercising in the heat, that number goes up relatively.

AM: We like heading to your IG to see recipes that you suggest that we eat such as your open faced shrimp sandwich. What would be a summer menu for the day that you suggest that we can enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

HP: I love starting my day with a smoothie, especially one that uses summer fruits like berries. Try my Red Berry Smoothie from the Body Reset diet. Lunch can be a nice salad using seasonal vegetables, seeds, and lean protein like grilled shrimp. And dinner usually focuses on the lean protein like salmon or chicken with a bunch of grilled seasonal vegetables, and a baked sweet potato.

AM: This summer, people will definitely be excited to go out and to do so with a number of people, so I think that people will be busy for sure. How do you maintain a balanced lifestyle that allows you to optimize your summer while setting you for success as we transition to other seasons?

HP: I think building your physical activity around walking is key, especially in the summer. Because of the high temperatures, I like to get most of my walking down early in the morning or at the end of the day while multitasking by doing phone calls or returning text and emails. Preplanning your meals is also very helpful to make sure you don’t feel overwhelmed every day of the week trying to cook.

IG @HarleyPasternak

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Jessica Nash

Read the JUN ISSUE #66 of Athleisure Mag and see Hydration Check with Harley Pasternak in mag.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW | HARLEY PASTERNAK

COVID-19 has effected every aspect of our lives from our routines, our work, how we interact with one another and more. When it comes to working out at your favorite studios, the impact is felt here as well. We took some time to catch up with one of our favorite Celebrity Fitness Trainers and Nutritionists, Harley Pasternak who has trained Kim Kardashian, Charlie Puth and Ariana Grande to name a few. He shares how we can build our home studios, advice he has given his clients as well as what to expect (as well as what to bring) when we return to gyms and studios.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Here in NY our team began staying at home March 13th and we quickly got our equipment as we had no idea how long we would be staying home due to COVID-19. What did you suggest for your clients in terms of equipment that they should have on hand?

HARLEY PASTERNAK: Home fitness equipment has become a real scarcity in our new normal. The first thing I tell people to do, especially since the weather is nice, is to walk. Walking does not require any equipment and will definitely help you keep track of how much and how intensely you move. Next, I would opt for TRX suspension straps because they are fantastic for training and the posterior chain. Dumbbells are also great, if you can get them, since they are so versatile and don’t take up too much room. A bench, preferably an adjustable bench, also allows for countless strength moves. Otherwise, some sliders, a hip band and a glute ham roller would be high on my list of things that would make working out at home even better and more efficient. On top of that, recovery tools like foam rollers would be great to implement.

AM: Although we were fortunate to get our dumbbells, weight plates and bands - many have not been able to get those items. What would be substitutes for these items to have a productive workout?

HP: Cans of soup and water bottles are great substitutes for dumbbells, and large jugs of water or laundry detergent could work for kettle bells.

AM: What are 3 workouts for abs, 3 for legs and 3 for butts, 3 for arms that we should include within our routine?

HP: Pike planks, bicycle crunches, and twist planks are great to work your abdominals and fire up your entire core. For legs, walk lunges, lateral lunges, and hamstring curls with either sliders or a TRX band are great to do on a consistent basis. To work your glutes, I recommend single leg bridges, hip thrusts, and lower body Supermans.

AM: For those with families, how important is it to incorporate movement with their children and what do you suggest to keep them engaged?

HP: Now more than ever, it is critical to keep kids moving as much as possible since we are spending so much time indoors. Kids are really a product of their environments and respond well to behavior modeled by their parents. If your kids see you working out, working out becomes natural to them. Incorporating them into your workouts is even better and it makes it a real family affair. My family and I go on walks together which is a great way to stay connected and get some moves into our day. My wife and I also do strength circuits together with our four and six year olds. We even let our kids earn credits through doing exercise that allow them to have screen time.

AM: We follow your IG and we like your series on the #2fer. Can you tell our readers about this and why you created these posts?

HP: I created these posts because when COVID-19 hit and people started to quarantine, a lot of people felt frustrated that they could not access a gym or their favorite fitness instructor. Therefore, many fitness professionals created overly complicated fitness programs online and some even charged for it. After seeing this, I thought it would be nice to create a program with just two simple moves every day that require no equipment and are completely free and accessible for everybody to do. The feedback was incredibly positive, and it felt good to help people during a very difficult time. I emphatically believe working out should be accessible for everyone.

AM: We also love your posts that show you and your kids trying different fast foods as a means to show balance. Why is this important and in your tastings, have you found brands in this category that are healthy?

HP: The idea for these posts started with a client of mine ordering fast food to our house. My kids have never tried McDonald’s before, and I wanted to capture it on film. It was a really funny experience and when I posted it, it very quickly got over 40,000 views. I thought it was important to show people that there’s many sides to somebody who lives and teaches a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to allow us adults, and especially kids, a chance to taste everything in this world as well as to practice both indulgence and balance. The problem arises when we indulge too often and it becomes part of routine. We do these fast food experiences once a week and have a lot of fun with them. By allowing my children to try everything, they no longer yearn for these “forbidden” foods because they realize they are not forbidden, and often, they are not that delicious, and often give them a tummy ache.

AM: What are 3 power foods or snacks that you suggest that we enjoy pre/post workout?

HP: I’m not really a fan of pre-or post-workout meals. That’s really more having to do with bodybuilder or high-level athletes dealing with performance. I mainly focus on health and physical transformation. Other than having some caffeine 60 to 90 minutes prior to a workout, I focus more on creating three meals and two snacks a day, and then decide where to fit in my workout rather than the other way around.

AM: What are 3 healthy indulgences that we can enjoy?

HP: I think healthy indulgence is often an oxymoron. Most of the things that I find indulgent are really not healthy. Chocolate chip cookies and french fries are indulgent, but not healthy. However, I do think it’s healthy to indulge sometimes and not think about having to be healthy. I try to live by the 85 to 15 method: 85% of the time I eat clean and 15% of the time I eat what I want.

AM: Across the US, cities/states are in various levels of reopening. Many gyms and studios are reopening and although many are excited to get back to their routines, there is some apprehension amongst those working out and even for gyms that are preparing to reopen. What are your thoughts on how we can return to gyms/studios safely, what should we be looking for when we enter these spaces and are there items that we should bring with us?

HP: That’s a good question and one that is constantly changing. To be honest with you, I think it’s a little too soon to go back into indoor fitness spaces with multiple people huffing and puffing. These last few months where people have not been able to use health clubs, they realize that they’re able to get most of what they need to get done without an elaborate gym or fancy equipment. That being said, a well-equipped fitness facility has a lot more tools for you to train your body in fun and creative ways. There’s also the element of socialization. People really miss being in a group with group energy and a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, this may have to wait a little bit longer. If you do choose to go back to the gym, try to go at non-peak hours. I would also suggest maintaining a safe distance from those around you and making sure to wipe down any equipment you touch before and after use. I also suggest bringing your own hydration so you don’t have to share the drinking fountain. Propel Powder Packs, for example, are packed with electrolytes and easy to throw in your workout bag to make sure you’re properly hydrated.

AM: Via IG, we saw that you and Ariana Grande were doing an in-person workout, what are you personally doing for you and your clients to ensure mutual safety?

HP: I see very few clients in person and do the majority of my training online. For a few clients, we work out together at my studio in my outdoor gym. When doing this, both of us wear masks and keep a proper social distance. We also wipe down all surfaces of equipment that are touched by the clients, have replaced our cable attachments with copper-coated antimicrobial attachments, and have the gym deep cleaned twice a day, which is the same amount of cleaning we utilized before COVID. So far, so good.

AM: You have always stated that we should consume no more than 30g of sugar a day as it can lead to diabetes; however, sugar also has an impact on our immunity. Can you tell us about that?

HP: There are great number of studies that have shown the impact of sugar on our immune system. When we consume a high amount of sugar in either a meal or beverage, it can cause a temporary suppression of our immune system. Chronic consumption of a high sugar diet can also contribute to insulin insensitivity, obesity, and possibly even type two diabetes. These are all three incredibly high-risk factors for COVID complications as well.

AM: What foods can assist in raising our immunity?

HP: Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Zinc are all great to help support a healthy immune system. I like to incorporate Propel Vitamin Boost into my hydration routine because it has 100% of the daily recommended value of Vitamins B, C, and E. It is great to drink to during my workouts to stay hydrated as well as make sure that I get my vitamins in.

AM: As we continue to stay healthy from home, what should we be doing to optimize ourselves?

HP: Managing stress is important. Try not to have too much screen time, especially before bed, and make sure you are getting enough quality and quantity sleep. This will help keep Cortisol levels in check and ensure they don’t get out of whack and suppress your immune system. Staying physically active and hydrated is also very important. And most importantly, please wear a mask.

AM: As someone who is working with his clients whether in person or virtually, spending time with your family and working on a number of projects – how are you taking time for yourself in your downtime?

HP: Good question. I make sure I have breakfast and dinner with my family every day and weekends are all about my kids. As I’ve gotten older, I have realized how important prioritizing family and personal time is. I like to golf every Sunday morning, and make sure I have a date night at least once a week with my wife.

IG @HarleyPasternak

PHOTOS COURTESY | Propel

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag #55 and see Something You Should Know | Harley Pasternak in mag.