"The Biggest Loser" welcomes new trainers.
NBC News reported that trainers Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom will join existing trainers Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince for the show's upcoming 16th season. The announcement comes just one week after trainer Jillian Michaels revealed she was leaving the weight loss reality show.
"We are excited to welcome Jessie and Jen into 'The Biggest Loser' family, and know they will be valuable players on this life-changing show that continues to inspire millions of people to embrace a healthy lifestyle," Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming at NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "We look forward to viewers meeting them and to revealing more great changes we have in store for the new season."
Pavelka, who is the cousin of former "The Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka, is a fitness expert previously involved in the Lifetime reality show, "DietTribe," in which he coached a group of obese friends in their weight loss efforts.
The 31-year-old fitness expert has been involved in several British weight-loss documentaries. He has also hosted a series of programs including OWN's "Wake-Up WorkOut with Gaiam" and has appeared on "Motivation Nation" segments on the UK morning show "Daybreak."
Widerstorm previously starred on NBC's "American Gladiators," in which amateurs are pitted against athletes. The 31-year-old women fitness expert also served as a fitness expert for Fitbie.com and life coach for MSN.com.
This upcoming season of the show will have four trainers - making it the second time in the show's history where four trainers appear on the show. Alison Sweeney will return as the show's host.
NBC recently announced that he Michaels will not be returning for another season after joining the show in 2004. A source told People Magazine that Michaels was "deeply concerned about the direction the show has been taking."
"After helping hundreds of contestants transform their lives and inspiring millions of viewers at home, The Biggest Loser and Jillian Michaels have decided to part ways and she will not be returning for season 16 when it airs in the fall," NBC officials stated.
Season 16 of "The Biggest Loser" will premiere Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. on NBC.
