Broadway performer turned fitness trainer Nick Adams knows a thing or two about showing up under pressure. Whether he’s stepping onto a stage, leading a packed class, or taking on the extreme physical challenges of Prime Video’s Trainer Games, Nick brings the same blend of discipline, vulnerability, and quiet confidence to everything he does.
As one of the standout competitors on the high-intensity reality series, described as “the toughest job interview in fitness,” Nick has quickly become known for his inclusive approach to movement and his ability to turn fear into fuel. But beyond the cliff jumps and endurance tests, he’s still a theater kid at heart, driven by show tunes, hydration, and the belief that progress happens when you stop comparing yourself to everyone else.
For this edition of the Socialite Seven, Nick shares the pre-workout songs that get him moving, the Broadway habits he brings into the gym, the unexpected skills that helped him survive Trainer Games, and the advice that keeps him grounded as he continues to push past his comfort zone – on stage, in fitness, and everywhere in between. Also, make sure to check out our in-depth interview with Nick.
Do you have a pre-workout hype song or a show tune that you need to listen to before a workout?
Okay. If I’m going to go how tune route, I would say either Sister Act or Legally Blonde. If I have to pick, I think I’ll go with Sister Act. I could pick a few different songs, but I would say “Fabulous Baby” is going to be my hype-up song from Sister Act. But again, Legally Blonde is a great hype-up, pre-workout playlist. So, either of those two.
Fitness always seems to be on everybody’s New Year’s resolution list. As a fitness instructor, what is your New Year’s resolution?
That’s a good question. It’s funny, I’m always talking to clients about their New Year’s resolutions and I’m like, what is mine? I think my New Year’s resolution is to try something new. I think I get really stuck in what I know and what I like in terms of fitness. I’ve just really been dipping my toes into triathlons, but I want to start doing things I’m not comfortable with. I’ve been talking a lot with Chris, who’s a competitor on the show, and he’s a boxer and it’s kind of piquing my interest. Maybe I’ll get into boxing or try some new sport. I’m not someone who grew up playing sports. I’m getting my interest piqued in sports. So, my New Year’s resolution is to try a sport I haven’t done before.
What is one Broadway habit you still bring to the gym?
A good sleep routine and good hydration. As a singer, especially performing, it’s sleep and hydration. Obviously, the voice is a very fragile instrument and so, in good and negative ways, I’m very connected to my body in that way. I’ll never push myself when I know that a lack of sleep or lack of hydration is there. So those two things are always honed in for me.
What is the most unexpected skill that helps you during Trainer Games?
Oh, that’s a very good question. I would say it’s that element of stage fright. We did some crazy challenges, some very scary, kind of daredevil challenges and I’m someone who’s afraid of heights. I don’t like to do dangerous things. That moment when you walk out on stage, it’s like you have two options. You can crumble and freeze, or you can just choose to breathe and just let whatever happens happen. And I feel like I was able to hone that in and push past my fear and push past that stage fright. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do that if it wasn’t for performing on stage in front of thousands of people. I’m used to a high stakes moment.
If fitness were a musical, what would the opening number be called?
Ooh, if fitness was a musical the opening number would be called “Take it Slow” because I feel like people just jump into a fitness journey and have these big goals and big ideas, and it’s starting slow, starting with small, incremental changes to your life. So much more beneficial. The opening number is like chill, we take it slow.
What are three things that you can’t live without?
My Owala water bottle – again, hydration. I would say my resistance bands. I love warming up with the resistance bands, but it’s also something that I’ll take with me when I travel. Like for example, when we’ve been here in LA it’s just a great little hotel workout but it’s also a great way to warm up. And…what’s the third thing? I’ll say a protein bar, usually an RX Bar. Something to fuel me because I’m someone who eats a lot and I do not like to stress about food, so I always come prepared.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice was from, I believe, a pre-college theater program. The professor said, “you can’t move forward if you’re always looking sideways.” I took that with me because I’m someone who again, growing up queer and growing up a little bit of an outcast in school, you can become very aware of what people are thinking of you and constantly comparing yourself to others. But it’s really hard to move forward and to progress when you’re so worried about how you compare to others. Are others moving forward faster than me? We’re all on our own journey, so you can’t move forward if you’re always looking sideways.
Check out Trainer Games on Prime Video. Learn more about the show here. Keep up with Nick on TikTok and Instagram and check out his workout videos here.
