Women stars' hard bodies still mean hard work

HOLLYWOOD - In Hollywood's competitive climate, accolades often go to performers who either pack on the pounds (think Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones or Charlize Theron in "Monster") or let their frames waste away (Christian Bale in "The Machinist").

There's another category that will be hard to miss at the movie theaters this season: the phenomenally fit.

Jessica Biel is a vampire slayer with deltoids to die for in "Blade: Trinity," Hilary Swank shows off a chiseled back as a boxer in "Million Dollar Baby," and Jennifer Garner sports tightly toned abs as an action hero in "Elektra."

The actresses won't get much praise, though, from the general public, whose sentiment runs along the lines of: "If I had a trainer and a personal chef, I'd be in the best shape of my life too."

Not so fast, say the fitness consultants to these stars. It's true that celebrities enjoy perks, such as private training and nutritionists, and have plenty of time and motivation - such as big paychecks and costumes that leave nothing to the imagination.

But, the consultants say, the Laws of Physiques aren't suspended for the rich and famous.

Biel, Swank and Garner earned their bodies the old-fashioned way: eating right and exercising. A combination of cardio and weight workouts were central to all three actresses' regimens.

As for diet, all three women ate three moderately sized meals and two or three snacks per day, kept a close eye on portion sizes and drank plenty of water.

Having a trainer at your side is nice, said fitness consultant Bobby Strom, who helped whip Biel into shape for "Blade," but "I can't get on the machine and work out for Jessie. I can push, but she has to do it. She has to make the commitment. She has to choose what she's going to put on her plate."

Biel echoed the same. She recalled that at the height of her training, women were pulling her aside to ask, "What's your secret?" It was a question that Biel identified with - and resented just a bit.

"I was, like, 'Secret? You want the secret?' The secret is, there is no secret," Biel said. "There's no pill, there's no diet, there's no magic drink. I know how hard it is."

The trainers agreed to describe their clients' workouts for their big screen roles to show that there's nothing easy - or particularly mysterious - about getting in shape, whether you are a celebrity or not.

And you don't have to spend as much time in the gym as the stars do, they said, adding that an hour's time, five to six days a week, will make a difference.

With evidence that the low-carb diet craze is fading, the fitness experts say they are hoping that 2005 will bring a more moderate approach to diets and exercise - and perhaps a different definition of beauty.

"They're strong, but they're still feminine," said Strom.

"We're talking about girls with meat and bones and athletic, healthy-looking bodies, not these 105-pound sticks. I like that. I think that's a good message."

But pop culture expert Robert J. Thompson of Syracuse University isn't as certain.

"Anyone trolling around for some New Year's resolutions already had a tough bar to reach. Now there's this whole other category of Hollywood stars taking the impossible dream and making it even more impossible."