Canadian personal trainer
Harley Samuel Pasternak is a Canadian personal trainer, motivational speaker, author and television host. Pasternak is known for working with many celebrity clients as a personal trainer. He is also known as one of the co-hosts of ABC's 2012 daytime talk show, The Revolution.
Early life
He was born in Toronto, Canada and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the fitness industry.[citation needed] Pasternak is Jewish and grew up in a 'typical Ashkenazi household'.[1][2] Pasternak graduated from York Mills Collegiate Institute and holds an honor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario and a master's degree in exercise physiology and nutritional sciences from the University of Toronto.[3][4]
During his time at University of Toronto, Pasternak served as a nutrition and exercise scientist at Department of National Defence's Defence and Civil Institute for Environmental Medicine from 2005 to 2007. As a scientist, he focused on performance physiology and nutrition, with a specialty in caffeine and ephedrine. His work was published in the scientific journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise in June 2003[5] and in The Canadian Journal of Sports Medicine. Pasternak is also certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and is an IDEA Master Trainer.[6]
Today, Pasternak is an Associate Faculty Member of the University of Toronto.[7]
Career
Pasternak has worked extensively with numerous celebrities.[8][9]
In 1999, Dr. Marvin Waxman introduced Pasternak to producer Don Carmody, who hired Pasternak to work with Jim Caviezel and cast on his film Angel Eyes.[10] After several subsequent films, Carmody hired Pasternak to train Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr., and Penélope Cruz on the set of Gothika in Montreal. Berry suggested Pasternak move permanently from Toronto to Los Angeles to continue to work together, which he did.[11][10]
In 2004, Berry played the title role in Catwoman, a role for which she trained exclusively with Pasternak. Pasternak appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss Berry's training.[12] After Winfrey suggested that he write a book about his program,[13] he published 5-Factor Fitness: The Diet and Fitness Secret of Hollywood's A-List in 2005.[14][15]
Television
In addition to his hosting on The Revolution,[16] Pasternak has made appearances on American and Canadian morning daytime talk shows and news programs, along with serving as a guest judge on Germany's Next Topmodel and Canada's Next Top Model. Pasternak has been a frequent contributor on The Today Show as well as Good Morning America. Additionally, Pasternak co-stars in all three seasons of Khloe Kardashian's series Revenge Body.[17]
Gym design
In November 2018, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts named Pasternak as their Global Fitness Ambassador.[18] Since then, Pasternak took part in redesigning and renovating gyms across various Four Seasons properties worldwide.[19][20]
Furthermore, Pasternak designed gyms for Viceroy Los Cabos,[21] The Ritz Carlton Waikiki,[22] and Alo Yoga Beverly Hills Alo Yoga Beverly Hills.[23]
In June 2023, Harley Pasternak partnered with Picerne Residential to improve fitness facilities and wellness programs in its 2,000 Southern California units.[24]
Books
Pasternak is also a New York Times best selling author and has published eight books:[25]
Product design
Pasternak’s experience in fitness, nutrition, and gym design has led to notable brand partnerships where he takes an active role in designing new products.
Notable collaborations include running shoes for New Balance,[26] smoothies for Jamba Juice,[27] appliances for Sultan,[28] hardware & software for FORME,[29] and blood sugar mints for Sweet Kick.[30]
Filmography
Pasternak appears as himself doing a fitness routine with Megan Fox in the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.[31] He also appeared as himself as Jessica Simpson's personal trainer in Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous in 2008.
