Michael O’Mara flexes Bond trainer’s second fitness guide

Michael O’Mara Books has snapped up The 10-Week Intelligent Fitness Challenge: The Ultimate Workout Programme from Hollywood’s Most In-demand Trainer, by personal trainer and former marine, Simon Waterson.

World rights were acquired by senior commissioning editor Jo Stansall through Nick Walters at David Luxton Associates. The manual features a foreword by actor and Waterson’s client Tom Hiddleston and will publish in paperback on 11th May 2023.

The book focuses on an “inspiring and easy-to-follow workout programme that encourages you to train like an A-list celeb, giving you access to Simon’s unparalleled knowledge of fitness and health,” the synopsis reads.

It features exclusive photographs of Hiddleston’s workouts with Waterson taken by official Bond photographer Greg Williams. 

“Typically, 10 weeks is all Simon has to train his clients for demanding action roles, and for the first time he shares these effective exercises and techniques to help you reach your fitness goals and improve your overall health.

“Packed full of step-by-step colour photographs, motivational advice and tips on nutrition and wellbeing, this is much more than just an exercise programme – as the challenge intensifies week by week, Simon’s comprehensive approach to fitness aims to ensure readers reboot their energy, sleep and confidence, as well as their body.”

Stansall said: “The 10-Week Intelligent Fitness Challenge is the perfect follow-up to Simon’s first book, Intelligent Fitness, which laid the groundwork for his unique and highly effective philosophy on health and wellbeing. His dedication to his clients and his meticulous approach to their programmes has resulted in his huge popularity within the film industry, with some of the world’s biggest actors returning to work with him again and again. We’re really excited to share his much-coveted exercises and techniques with everyone looking to improve their health, whatever their fitness level.”

Waterson’s clients include actors such as Daniel Craig, who trained with him for his role as James Bond in five films, Hiddleston for Loki, Chris Evans for the role of Captain America, Chris Pratt for “Guardians of the Galaxy”, Thandiwe Newton and John Boyega for the Star Wars films, and Diego Luna for “Andor”.

Others include Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emily Blunt and Cameron Diaz.

Hiddleston said: “For me, training with Simon is a crucial part of preparing for any action role – this 10-week programme is a fantastic example of Simon’s thoughtful and effective approach to fitness.”

Craig added: “I owe so much to Simon. His friendship and guidance saw me through many physical challenges.”

“Ten weeks is not just a nice round number – it’s also typically how long I have with an actor in pre-production when I’m training them for a role,” Waterson said. “It is usually long enough to turn actors into athletes, both physically and mentally. Ten weeks is also the ideal amount of time for you to reboot your fitness using the same methods, insights and motivational advice that I give to the actors you see on screen.”