Now we know what the “secret” is.
Behind the great Victoria’s Secret supermodels — runway stunners such as Karlie Kloss, Erin Heatherton, Lindsay Ellingson, Candice Swanepoel and Lily Aldridge — are two fitness drill sergeants, Justin Gelband and Mary Helen Bowers.
When the lingerie show is broadcast Tuesday night on CBS, all eyes will be on the Angels, as they’re called — but lots of credit goes to personal trainer Gelband and former pro ballerina Bowers.
“Everybody thinks these girls are born with a gift,” explains Gelband, who trained Kloss, Heatherton and Swanepoel intensely before this year’s show. “Maybe they’re more beautiful than the average person, but that doesn’t mean that their bodies don’t start at a 4, 6 or 8.”
Gelband isn’t about to say who started with the lower-than-average physique — but he and Bowers did spill the beans about their grueling regimen.
In short, being an Angel is a full-time job.
Victoria’s Secret models do at least an hour of Gelband’s tailored program six days a week leading to the show.
Gelband’s interval training includes no weights, machines or props. But it does feature high-intensity kickboxing for obvious reasons — “Candice loves working on her butt,” says Gelband — plus lengthening and strengthening exercises such as Pilates.
Typical cardio moves like squats are out. The last thing a Victoria’s Secret model wants is disproportionately muscular thighs.
Instead, they have to suffer through dozens of crunches.
Meanwhile, Bowers’ Ballet Beautiful sessions helped Aldridge and Ellingson “microsculpt” models’ muscles in the days before the big show.
“We’re tailoring their workouts at the very end based on what their outfits are,” says Bowers. “They’re getting their final fittings those last two weeks, so we know how much you’re seeing of their stomach and their butt and their legs versus how do they feel when they put the wings on. We’re able to micro-sculpt those muscles.”
Of course, she’s talking about Kloss’ tush. Real women will be pleased to hear that a Victoria’s Secret model actually worries about her looks.
“It’s been a big goal for Karlie to have a butt,” says Gelband, adding quickly that Kloss needn’t have worried. “The show speaks for itself.”
Heatherton was also pleased with the results.
“You know you’re going to be in your underwear on the runway,” she told The News backstage at the November taping. “It’s going to be more fun for me if I look the best I can.”
But workouts aren’t all about looks, of course. These models need all their strength, Bowers says. Sauntering down the runway is different from climbing subway stairs.
“The wings are really heavy, and they’re wearing like 6-inch heels and the runway’s covered in glitter,” says Bowers. “Just walking down the runway is a workout in itself.”
Before Angels win their TV wings, they gotta sweat.
ModelFit class with Justin Gelband, $40. Tribeca Health & Fitness, 107 Chambers St. (212) 732-9466, justingelband.com.
Ballet Beautiful with Mary Helen Bowers, prices for private training available via info@balletbeautiful.com. 98 Greene St., balletbeautiful.com
