Jim Carrey seldom leaves home without him.
His performance coach, fitness trainer Gary Kobat, has settled into New Orleans while Carrey films "I Love You Phillip Morris" here. Next Tuesday he will share some of the same techniques he has given the actor at Salvation Studio Health & Fitness Studio on Magazine Street.
The Hollywood star wasn't exactly smitten with the idea of exercise. "But you're from Canada. Don't you ice-skate?" Kobat recalls asking him.
Carrey's face brightened, and the two were off to hit the ice.
But while in New Orleans, it's Kobat Carrey sees first thing in his day.
Kobat has set up an indoor gym for the star and is at his call "24-7." This week they headed to St. Francisville on location with no break in Carrey's six- to seven-day-a-week fitness routine.
"Each program is designed for Jim with his character in mind," Kobat says. "In this movie, his character has to be leaner and more fit without looking too muscular."
For Carrey's current role, Kobat has created "a nice blend of floor exercises, weight training and cardiovascular" workouts.
It's not unlike Carrey to want to do "spiritual or inspirational" work or "script" work while working out, Kobat says. Overall, the trainer oversees what he terms a "longevity system" for Carrey, which includes yoga, massage and Thai massage, acupuncture, cleansing, food and fuel, hydration, supplementation, weight training, cardio and specialty disciplines.
I find what flips their switch," says Kobat, who discovered that for Carrey it was ice hockey.
Kobat guided Carrey in his 25-pound weight loss for the 2003 film "Bruce Almighty." His name runs in the credits at the end of Carrey's movies for his personal training.
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