ABOUT ERIC
Eric Fleishman (aka Eric the Trainer) began his fitness career as a 98lb. weakling living in rural Maine on a farm with sheep, pigs, and even a donkey. He was elected President of the local 4H club dedicated to swine, the "Souie Souie Pig" club. At age ten his father, suspecting that his son would remain small throughout his teens, took Eric to his first martial arts class. This initiated a lifelong passion with martial arts that would eventually lead him to Hollywood, California. Due to his small size, Eric found himself taunted and teased by the local kids who's rough, lumberjack fathers encouraged their offspring to pursue careers in the woods, too.
He was often found hanging on coat racks by his belt loops and was once even discovered cramped inside someone's locker. Dubbed "Squeaky " by his classmates for squeals of terror he made while being chased during a flag football game in gym class, Eric was the least likely student at Mt. Blue Jr. High school to pursue a career in physical fitness. At his senior prom, his diminished size made him look as if he was with his babysitter rather than his date. His growth spurt finally began during his second year of college. Realizing that he needed to fill out his lankly physique, Eric began a modest workout regiment at Gold's Gym in New Haven, CT. And as he noticed the increase in adoring looks from the local girls, he caught the fitness bug.
After graduating, Eric moved to New York city and spent five years working as a personal trainer(certified through ACE and TSI) in Manhattan. It was here that he began to develop a gender specific workout regiment that would eventually become the Sleeping Beauty and Sleeping Giant programs. It was also here that Eric pinpointed the science of change through three major components: diet, exercise, and sleep.
His methods have been utilized by Hollywood’s top celebrities and UFC fighters
In 1996 Eric moved to Los Angeles. Upon his arrival, Eric set out to find and learn from the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He located former "Vince's Gym" trainers who had helped Arnold shape his legendary physique. He studied with Nick Kane, Frank Zane(Mr. Olympia), and Don Howorth, the “Duke of deltoids,” who's massive shoulders helped him win the Mr. America title in 1967. Eric's drive to be the best personal trainer on the planet became legendary and his services in demand. His methods have been utilized by Hollywood’s top celebrities and UFC fighters (Eric on the TV Guide Channel)(Eric on Tyra) both in front and behind the camera. He has appeared in major magazines and television programs, spreading the word on his unique health and fitness methods. Eric has been an instrumental part of some of the highest profile fitness stories of the past decade including Big Time Rush, Ethan Suplee, Kirstie Alley, Michelle Branch, Big John McCarthy, Max Martini, and Rachel Crow. In addition to training, Fleishman has a brisk fitness consulting business and is a frequent contributor to “Muscle and Fitness” magazine where he sits on their advisory board. He also hosts many of Muscle & Fitness’ online top videos.
An instrumental part of some of the highest profile fitness stories of the past decade
Eric is heavily involved with Muscle Beach in Venice, CA where he is also on the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame nominating committee. He hosted a show, "New Year, New You" for Warner Brother’s “WB.com” He has taught the Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy for the past seven years, and has also worked with the LAPD, CHP, and SWAT teams. As his 40th birthday approached, Eric wanted to do something special for the occasion. Eric decided that in the spirit of his hero, Jack Lalanne, 40,000 push ups for his favorite charities would be a great way to start. For the past two years Eric has been named to the Gold’s Gym fitness institute, where he serves as an expert and global spokesperson for the organization.
