With a day job that requires her to pose in bikinis, it is of little wonder that swimwear blogger Natasha Oakley relies on the help of her personal trainer boyfriend when it comes to staying in shape.
Instagram sensation Natasha, 27, who co-founded the popular Bikini A Day blog with her friend Devin Brugman, uses the plan devised by boyfriend Gilles Souteyrand, 40, to keep her fit and photo-ready.
In an exclusive interview with Men’s Fitness’ Joe Warner, Gilles – a former model and one of London’s most in-demand personal trainers – revealed his part in honing his girlfriend’s toned figure – and explained how anyone can achieve results at home.
And while many might think physiques like Gilles and Natasha’s can only be achieved through endless hours of toil at the gym, Gilles insists the key to a successful work out is keeping it to under 30 minutes.
In-demand: Former model Gilles Souteyrand, 40, is now one of London’s most well regarded personal trainers. He spoke exclusively to Men’s Fitness about how he stays in shape
Support: Gilles revealed his plan is followed by his girlfriend, bikini blogger Natasha Oakley
Toned: Instagram star Natasha Oakley, pictured, is co-founder of the Bikini A Day blog
‘If it lasts any longer I haven’t been working hard enough,’ he said.
The workouts are all based on exercises that use body weight rather than equipment, Gilles explained, much like a gymnast.
He continued: ‘I work out at home so I use mainly bodyweight moves with some kettlebells, TRX and resistance band work thrown in. Ring pull-ups and dips are just brilliant for making all your muscles work together, through all the planes of movement.’
It means followers do not have to worry about signing up to a gym.
At-home fitness: Gilles explained how he relies on body weight rather than equipment
Lean: Since turning 40 Gilles says he has continued to work on his flexibility and mobility with stretching frequently in the same way cats and dogs do after they wake up
Gilles continued: ‘You can do them any time and any way, and you don’t need a lot of knowledge to start. It allows you to move as nature intended, moving your whole body as a single unit.’
He admits since turning 40 that flexibility continues to be an area he works on and advises others to stretch as a large number of hours for most people are spent sitting down.
Long-distance: Natasha is based in Los Angeles while Gilles has lived in London for 20 years
Australian-born Natasha, who has nearly 2million Instagram followers, follows Gilles’ plan at her home in Los Angeles, although he does not interfere with her training.
He said: ‘I have never trained her. She is a very busy woman, so instead of training her myself I just let her get on with it.’
Their long-distance relationship, Gilles, originally from France, has lived in London for the last 20 years, means the couple must also be ‘very organised’ if they want to spend any time together’.
Gilles said: ‘You have to find the time for what’s important to you, so I make the time to train.
‘That’s the main thing I’ve learnt from Tash: if you are organised, you can do pretty much anything you want and if you want success you have to constantly work at it – whether that’s business or fitness.
‘Find something you’re passionate about and then never stop working until you get it.’
In addition to exercising wherever and whenever, Gilles notes nutrition as equally important in maintaining a healthy body.
He said: ‘My personal approach to nutrition, and the one I use in my plans, is that it should not be about restriction but about balance. Do treat yourself, but don’t turn a cheat meal into a cheat day.’
Flexible: The nature of his workouts means Gilles does not need to go to the gym to stay fit
Gilles has created the Body By Gilles fitness and nutrition plan which delves further into his diet and includes more than 50 recipes to support molding a healthy body on around 2,000 calories a day.
He said: ‘Each meal I have is one fist-sized amount of protein, one of unprocessed carbs and one of vegetables.’
Body By Gilles is available for download now, $69.95 (around £54). Visit bodybygilles.com
Gilles Souteyrand was speaking exclusively to Men’s Fitness magazine.
For the full feature see the new issue of Men’s Fitness, on sale now. You can subscribe to Men’s Fitness and get five issues for just £5 by visiting subscribe.mensfitness.co.uk