Tag Archives: bob harper

Jillian is Out, Two New Coaches are in. Biggest Loser Shakes it up for Season 16

jessie pavelka jennifer widestromThe season premiere of The Biggest Loser is still 71 long days away but NBC is already announcing big changes for the 16th year. This year, Jillian fans will mourn her departure as two new J-name trainers take center stage.

Why, Jillian? Why?

On June 25, NBC announced the news of Jillian’s departure saying, “The Biggest Loser and Jillian Michaels have decided to part ways and she will not be returning for season 16 when it airs in the fall.”

This will be Jillian’s third exit from the popular weight loss program.

Whoa! Jillian Michaels Exposes Nude Figure in Shape Magazine July Issue

New Coaches? Hold me. I don’t even know.

In Jillian’s absence, NBC will have big shoes to fill, and evidently it takes two new coaches to do it. With the addition of Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widestrom, the coach tally climbs to four. Dolvett Quince, Bob Harper, and host Alison Sweeney have all signed on for season 16.

This will be just the second time in BL history that four coaches have been available to help contestants. (more…)

9 Places You Can Workout Next to a Celebrity in LA, New York, and Chicago

OMG! It’s really them! That moment you realize you’ve identified a celebrity in the wild, out amongst mere mortals, living “just like us,” can be rather thrilling. For those who live in LA or NYC, it’s all too common to dine next to the hottest faces and grocery shop elbow to elbow with leading ladies, but for people in the other 48 states, running in to a celebrity on vacation is one of the souvenirs you hope to collect.

If you’re planning an active vacation this summer, hit these workout hot spots and you’re likely to sweat right alongside an OMG-moment-worthy celeb.

Picture or it didn’t happen, your friends will say after your excited tweet. But should you even let them know you know it’s them?

“When I see celebs in the gym, I think it’s poor personal etiquette to approach them during their workout,” advised Dan Flores, RTSm, a master personal trainer based in New York City. “I value my personal gym time and would hate to be interrupted. I would approach them after they were finished and on their way out of the gym.”

— New York City

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Central Park is no stranger to the rich and famous; in fact, it’s practically their cardio playground. Free to enter, take your morning run to one of the most famous landmarks in the world and you’re sure to spot a name or two worth bragging about. Heidi Klum, Russell Simmons, and Gwyneth Paltrow are on the extremely short list of A-listers you’ll run or down-dog along with!

The Mark Hotel has a state-of-the-art fitness facility that rivals any gym getting your membership fees. Book your stay here, and your workout may coincide with that of Oprah, Sarah Silverman, Larry David, David Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, and even dignitaries like the President of France! (more…)

Sweat like a Celebrity: 3 Hot Workout Spots Frequented by Stars

I know I shouldn’t be more inclined to try a workout routine or class or gym based on which celebrities endorse it, but I can’t help myself—I’m attracted to places know my favorite actors and actresses also enjoy. Spin classes are a Hollywood haven for A-list actresses? Sign me up! The High School Musical cast loves Pilates? Awesome—see you on the Reformer! Crunch has a catchy name and I might run into Leonardo DiCaprio?! I. Am. In.

Let’s discuss three of the hottest workout spots for some well-known names and faces, shall we? Maybe I’ll see you there!

Wundabar

1. WundaBar
WundaBar is a Hollywood Pilates studio, and we all know how celebrities love their Pilates. (Well, who doesn’t?) The recently engaged Ashley Tisdale was introduced to WundaBar through Vanessa Hudgens, her High School Musical co-star. (I love when co-stars remain friends, especially through workout routines!) Tisdale reportedly works with a personal trainer most of the time, but also has lessons with WundaBar’s Amy Jordan, the founder of the gym. (more…)

Biggest Loser Trainers Speak Out About Rachel’s Weight Loss

The public has spoken up about Rachel Frederickson’s shocking weight loss on “The Biggest Loser” season 15. So has the media. Finally, the trainers from the show are releasing statements. Although between you and me, it’s pretty easy to read between the lines on this screen shot from the big reveal:

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Here’s what the stars of “The Biggest Loser” have to say:

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Biggest Loser’s Rachel Makes Headlines with Her Weight Loss

On Tuesday, February 4th, our own Brandi Koskie tuned into the season finale for “The Biggest Loser” season 15. She was watching the program from her living room, which was unusual—she’s been in the audience at well over half of the past season’s finales. What she saw shocked her, and she’s not alone.

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The winner of the contest had lost a shocking 60% of her body weight, reducing her 5’5″ frame to a painfully thin 105 pounds. Although Koskie was one of the first to rally against NBC and the show, telling them they’d gone too far, other news outlets soon followed suit. Winner Rachel Frederickson said she feels “absolutely great”, but this didn’t stop any of the concern for her and criticism for the way the “game” is played.

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Bobby Returns to the Biggest Loser Ranch, but Contestants Decide it’s Time for Tumi to Go – Elimination Interview

Last night, The Biggest Loser returned from a long holiday break. We noticed Bob is still proudly sporting his porn ‘stache, and we finally learned which contestant earned a spot back on the ranch – Bobby! Unfortunately, the dreaded yellow line also appeared for the first time this season, pitting Tonya against Tumi. Ultimately, the players decided it was Tumi Oguntala’s time to leave.

Tumi - white team

How did she feel about her former teammates voting her out, and how is she getting ready for the upcoming Biggest Loser finale? We spoke with Tumi this afternoon and asked a few questions about her departure.

DIR: How Did you feel about the yellow line coming in to play, pitting you against Tanya, and your former teammates’ decision to vote you off?

Tumi: “Well – pause – to be honest, I was hoping for a little team solidarity. I’m disappointed but there are no hard feelings. Let’s just say, what happens on the ranch stays on the ranch.” (more…)

Jillian vs. Bob vs. Dolvett: How the 3 Biggest Loser Trainers’ Books Compare

On the show, the three trainers on The Biggest Loser join forces to help contestants lose weight. However, off camera Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels and Dolvett Quince have very different approaches for helping the at-home loser achieve better health. The trainers showcase these different weight loss formulas in book form: Bob and Jillian have each written multiple best-selling books  and Dolvett just released his first, “The 3-1-2-1 Diet: Eat and Cheat Your Way to Weight Loss—Up to 10 pounds in 21 Days”.

BLTrainers

With three different perspectives from three different, talented celebrity trainers how is a person to choose which book is right for them? Here’s a breakdown of the main ideas from each trainer’s most recent read. Chances are one approach will sound like the best one for you!

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Bob Harper’s Coming Out Conversation Helped Biggest Loser’s Bobby Find Self-Pride, Weight Loss

The Blue Team may have resisted the temptation of eating waistline-busting food delivered by the diner-working White Team, but that still wasn’t enough to put them on top at the final weigh-in. After an emotional experience on the Biggest Loser Ranch that included a life-changing conversation with mentor and trainer Bob Harper, contestant Bobby Saleem fell below the red line and was sent home.

Today we spoke with Bobby about his decision to discuss his homosexuality on the show, and how he’s been doing since he was eliminated.

Bob and Bobby 2

This season, trainer Bob Harper had a milestone moment when he announced that he was gay. The admission may not have been a surprise to viewers, but it was a defining moment for Bobby, who was able to share his struggle with homosexuality. Today, Bobby said their conversation was an emotional turning point.

DIR: Was your coming-out conversation with Bob helpful, and if so, what role do you think it played in your weight loss?

Bobby: It was absolutely helpful. Before coming on to the ranch, I felt ashamed of being gay. I never had a role model I could look up to. After my conversation with Bob, I realized that being gay doesn’t make you weak. Now I’m proud of the skin I’m in, emotionally and physically. (more…)

Holley Mangold Goes Home on First Week Without Trainer Saves

It looked the white team would be in trouble again, but instead it was Bob’s blue team members that went up for elimination. In a heartbreaking moment for Bob, Holley Mangold’s 3-pound weight loss dropped her below the red line and she was eliminated.

This was the first week with the trainer saves out of the picture, and Holley’s elimination came as a visible blow to Bob. We spoke with Holley about her feelings about not being saved, and what her plans are now that she’s off the ranch.

“I’m very much planning on going to Rio [Summer Olympics 2024],” she said. “That was my whole reason for going on the show…to have a chance at getting a medal.”

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8 Must-Know Facts and Teasers from Biggest Loser 15

When Biggest Loser returns for an epic 15th season tomorrow night, you can expect some same ‘ole same ‘ole where challenges, temptations, and weigh-ins go, but you’ll also be in for some exciting new treats. All three of our beloved trainers – Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper, and Dolvett Quince – are back in the gym. And of course, Alison Sweeney will keeping the whole lot in check from her post as host.

But what about the twists, turns, and surprises? Biggest Loser’s publicity team is very good at keeping a secret, but they’ve let out a few teasers that new and old fans need to know before starting this season.

biggest loser trainers and alison sweeney
1. One hour episodes. Many fans were growing tired of the two hour format Biggest Loser’s been known for for as long as we’ve been covering the show, which was season 5. Tuesday nights will only have 60 minutes of Biggest Loser now, with a few special two-hour episodes thrown in here and there.

2. Longer season! There are shorter episodes, but the fall season is longer. The BL15 finale will air February 4, 2024, just before the Olympics start. This will be the first time the season carries over in to the new year, and one of the few times a new season isn’t set to start right at the new year. (more…)

Meet the Biggest Loser 15 Contestants, Including American Idol Ruben Studdard and Olympian Holley Mangold

“I deserve to live a happy and healthy life,” said The Biggest Loser season 15 contestant Tanya Winfield. Achieving a happy and healthy life is a big part of the upcoming season of The Biggest Loser. This year, it’s all about second chances. From a former American Idol to an Olympic athlete, season 15 of The Biggest Loser is providing its contestants with a second chance at the kind of life they want to live.

For these men and women, it’s going to be quite a change from what they are used to. “I came in thinking I was an athlete and realized that didn’t mean anything,” said contestant and Olympic weightlifter Holley Mangold.

biggest loser 15 contestants

Most contestants agreed that the most challenging part of being on The Biggest Loser is the workouts with the trainers. “The trainers are what they are. They are here to do a job. They are personable and want you to get in shape, but their main goal is to change our lives,” contestant and American Idol Ruben Studdard said. All three trainers, Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, and Dolvett Quince, return this season to help the 15 men and women on their weight loss journeys.

“We have a really good group of people. We’ve got people that are really willing to see themselves for what they are at the very beginning, which is they don’t have the ability, but they have that drive, that want,” trainer Bob Harper said.

biggest loser trainers and alison sweeney

For the first time ever, the trainers helped select the contestants, but they will also get to save them. Each trainer has one “save” this season, where they can reverse an elimination and keep a contestant on the ranch who they think deserves it. It’s an exciting first for the show.

Trainer Jillian Michaels added that the contestants change more than their physical appearances. “You don’t just see a physical transformation; you see the emotional transformation; a completely different self-image, self-worth. That to me makes all the hardship worth it.” Season 15 of The Biggest Loser premieres on Tuesday, October 8 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

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MEET THE BIGGEST LOSER 15 CONTESTANTS

Craig Arrington
Age: 30
Occupation: Warehouse Supervisor for Pharmaceutical Company
Hometown: Wilson, North Carolina (more…)