Hugh Jackman’s trainer reveals how the actor got fit for Deadpool & Wolverine

Fafter the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, Google searches for “Hugh Jackman Workout” rose, and it’s no wonder. The Australian actor pushed his training to new limits while preparing for the film, and the results were clear to see. But a recent Instagram post from her coach reveals that her brawn wasn’t just for the game.

“Where we started is completely different from how this Wolverine ended,” coach Beth Lewis writes. “Not only did Hugh get fit, he also got very strong, stayed healthy and achieved a VO2 max of 59 mL/min/kg.”

In a video posted to Instagram Jackman hits Nordic curl eccentrics (a popular hamstring-challenging exercise) and lifts what looks like 100kg on the bench press and 130kg (for reps) on the trap bar. There are also many plyometric exercises that the actor used to promote strength development.

His VO2 max of 59 mL/min/kg is also very impressive. For reference, fitness tracker supremos Garmin classified the result of 55.4 mL/min/kg as “high” and in the top five percent of men aged 20 to 29. Jackman is 55 years old.

VO2 max is defined as the maximum amount of oxygen you can inhale and use during intense exercise. When it’s high, your ability to deliver oxygen to your muscles, giving them the fuel they need to contract and work. A higher VO2 max is also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke, according to Harvard Medical School.

At this level of fitness, he will be doing this until he is 90 years old! No one works harder or is more dedicated to his job than this man. “Everywhere, from macros, effort, reps, to success, I’m very proud of Hugh,” Lewis adds.

One of Jackman’s favorite cardio activities is rowing, and for the past seven-plus years he’s been returning to the grueling 2km row test to test his fitness. at home to exercise.

This test does exactly what the name suggests, challenging you to complete 2km on a rowing machine as quickly as possible. Jackman introduced us to the workout in 2017 when he wrote on Facebook that he had reached the seven-minute mark – the gold standard among rowing fans. And before the release of Deadpool & Wolverine he shared an update on Instagram revealing that he had shaved a few seconds off his time, bringing it down to 6min 54.1 seconds.

How to improve your VO2 max

An impressive VO2 max is often associated with endurance athletes who are able to deliver enough oxygen to their muscles to complete long, sustained runs.

Aerobic exercise (rhythmic, repetitive, sustained exercise) is the basic way to improve this number, but the intensity required will depend on your physical condition. People who are new to exercise can benefit from activities such as walking, while long-term exercisers will need something more demanding such as running, swimming or cycling.

Other than this, a weekly regimen that includes a combination of moderate exercise and high intensity intervals may be the most effective way to increase VO2 max, as long as you progress your sessions and challenge yourself. .

A 2013 meta-analysis published in the journal Plos One states: “Our research suggests that long-term combined with continuous high-intensity training can produce significant increases in VO.₂almost all young adults.”

However, the most important thing when approaching exercise in general is to find a training routine that you enjoy and stick to – consistency is the key to long-term results with any fitness goal. exercise. This way, whether you’re following a Wolverine-inspired workout plan or just walking to boost your mood, you’ll reap the benefits.

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