IF YOU'RE Michelle Pfeiffer and you need to fit into an incredibly tight catwoman costume for the movie "Batman Returns," who you gonna call? Kathy Kaehler - because she is one of Hollywood's hottest personal fitness trainers.
Kaehler, who will help open NordicTrack's new Fitness At Home store at Fashion Place Mall this weekend, can offer fitness advice because she knows what she's talking about. It's no wonder glamorous women like Pfeiffer, Meg Ryan, Melanie Griffith, Candice Bergen, Penelope Ann Miller and Kate Capshaw use her one-on-one services.Kaehler, who has a degree in exercise science and dance education, started to gain her reputation when she got the attention of Jane Fonda.
"She was advertising for someone to direct all her programs. I said, `If anything opens up, I'll carry your bags for you!' A few months later I was offered the position."
After that, Kaehler started her own business. Now she has her own top-selling video, "The Kathy Kaehler Fitness System."
"Melanie Griffith was one of my first clients. She was looking for a personal trainer to help her get in shape for `Working Girl.' "
Griffith continues to use Kaehler's services, except when working on a movie. But Kaehler serves additional famous clients such as Meg Ryan and Tom Arnold every day. Most she sees four times a week.
"If I go to their houses, it is usually for an hour-and-10-minute workout. If we hike or run, it may be an hour and a half to two hours. It varies, because people are in and out of town. Meg Ryan is working on a movie and is not back in Los Angeles until December."
Kaehlin is so busy now that she can't travel on location with actors anymore. "Because I begin my day at 7, the last thing I want to do is workout for myself. But on lighter days, I have my own trainer."
Why would a personal trainer need a personal trainer of her own?
"I'm just like anybody else. I take breaks and go to the drinking fountain. It's motivation. I need someone who has a program for me to go through in an hour. I get a great workout that way, and I don't waste time."
Although she gets plenty of exercise when she works with others, she likes to concentrate on her own needs sometimes.
She loves the challenge of training, the feeling of accomplishment. "I like to sweat. I like to improve. I like the way it makes me feel. It gives me a more positive outlook on life. I just like to know that I can physically do things. I try not to focus on vanity. I like to feel fit.
"Mostly, my style and philosophy is having something to fit into your lifestyle. It's important to incorporate cross training - hiking, mountain biking, step aerobics, running or working on NordicTrack. That way you are improving the quality of your life. Michelle started working out for her movie role, but with her it's ongoing. She likes the way she feels."
Kaehler has a good analogy for getting started. "I relate my body to a car, and food to fuel. Protein is like the oil, and carbohydrates are the gas. The better I eat, the better my body will perform."
She plans to continue to train for a long time - because she loves helping others make positive lifestyle changes.
"I just can't ever imagine not teaching."