Don Saladino at 47: How This Celebrity Trainer Has Achieved Peak Fitness
Don Saladino, age 47, is a personal trainer known for training celebrities. He claims to be in the best shape of his life. Saladino’s body composition and strength have improved compared to his 20s. He focuses on building muscle without gaining fat and carefully manages his nutrition and training.
His workout routine includes lifting weights at least four times a week. He splits his workouts between upper and lower body movements. For three days, he focuses on powerlifting exercises such as bench presses, squats, and deadlifts. On his fourth day, he performs pushing and pulling movements, including overhead presses and pull-ups. If time allows, he includes accessory movements like arm workouts and abdominal exercises.
To boost his cardiovascular fitness, Saladino does interval workouts twice a week. These sessions are short but intense, lasting about four minutes. He alternates between sprinting on a curved treadmill, using an air bike, or a Versaclimber. He also engages in one steady-state cardio session each week, like jogging or using a stair mill.
What are some tips from Don Saladino for maintaining fitness and wellness at any age?
Interview with Don Saladino: A Peak into the Life of a Celebrity Trainer
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Don. At 47, you claim to be in the best shape of your life. What does that mean to you?
Don Saladino: Thank you for having me. Being in the best shape of my life means not just physical strength but also overall health and wellness. I’ve focused on improving my body composition and strength compared to my 20s. It’s about building muscle without gaining excess fat and maintaining the energy and vitality to keep up with my lifestyle and clients.
Interviewer: Your workout routine sounds intense. Can you walk us through a typical week of training for you?
Don Saladino: Absolutely. I lift weights at least four times a week, splitting my routine between upper and lower body. Three of those days focus on powerlifting exercises—bench presses, squats, and deadlifts. On my fourth day, I concentrate on pushing and pulling movements, such as overhead presses and pull-ups. If I have extra time, I incorporate accessory movements focused on arms and abs.
Interviewer: And what about cardiovascular training?
Don Saladino: I do interval workouts twice a week, which are short but really intense sessions lasting about four minutes each. I alternate between sprinting on a curved treadmill, using an air bike, or the Versaclimber. Additionally, I integrate one steady-state cardio session weekly, like jogging or using a stair mill to maintain my cardiovascular fitness.
Interviewer: You also play hockey twice a week. How do you balance that with your training?
Don Saladino: Hockey is both a fun activity and a great workout for me. However, I still find myself pushing harder during my interval training sessions. It’s important for me to maintain that intensity, even if I enjoy the game aspect of hockey.
Interviewer: Let’s discuss recovery. What strategies do you utilize to keep your body in top condition?
Don Saladino: Recovery is crucial to my routine. After hockey, I practice cold plunges to help reduce soreness. I enjoy using saunas and often combine heat therapy with cold plunges. While the research on the recovery benefits can vary, I believe in listening to my body. I also utilize Normatec massage boots and am currently exploring the benefits of red light therapy.
Interviewer: It sounds like you have a comprehensive approach to recovery. Any final thoughts for our readers who aspire to improve their fitness and health?
Don Saladino: Listen to your body and prioritize recovery as much as your workouts. Consistency is key, but allowing time for recovery is essential for long-term progress. Whether you’re new to fitness or a seasoned athlete, find what works best for you and don’t shy away from experimenting with different training and recovery techniques. Your body is your best guide.
Saladino enjoys playing hockey twice a week. He views this as both a fun activity and a workout. However, he finds he pushes himself harder during his interval training compared to when he plays hockey.
For recovery, Saladino practices cold plunges after hockey to reduce soreness. He enjoys saunas and often combines heat therapy with cold plunges. He believes in the benefits of hot and cold therapy for stress management, even if research on its recovery benefits is mixed. Saladino also uses Normatec massage boots and is exploring red light therapy for recovery. He emphasizes the importance of listening to his body and allowing time for recovery.