For the majority of Hollywood's action stars, the task of realistically portraying an ancient Greek demigod would be more challenging than combining all 12 labors the mythical son of Zeus had to undertake. Many have tried in the past, and many have failed. Even for Johnson, with 260 pounds of muscle already clinging to his massive 6-foot-5 frame, it would prove no mean feat. But after spending the majority of his life in the gym training to be a professional football player, world-renowned pro wrestler, and one of Hollywood's highest-ever grossing movie stars, it was a labor he had all the weapons to overcome. Here, in his own words, Johnson reveals how he obtained the skin-stretching muscle he needed for his starring role as Hercules, and explains why nutrition is the most important facet of getting big. Hercules Official Trailer Watch The Video - 1:25 Herculean Effort When you're an athlete-turned-actor who already has a physique idolized by millions around the world, you might think it would be easy to rest on your laurels. Not so with Dwayne Johnson. If there's one thing life has taught the former national championship-winning footballer, it's that you only get what you're willing to put in. That's why he dedicates so much of his time and energy to making sure he's at his physical peak when he steps onto the movie set. For 'Hercules,' it was a 22-week diet, while for 'G. When you're playing a character like the son of Zeus, you only get one shot. When you're playing a character like the son of Zeus, you only get one shot. The intensity of the training was definitely up, as was the volume of training. I really wanted to make it the definitive version of Hercules. We wanted to make it darker in tone and we based it off Steve Moore and Admira Wijaya's 'Hercules: The Thracian Wars' graphic novel, which is pretty dark. The training, nutrition, fight choreography, weapons training, and stunt planning are all altered accordingly. I always go in committed and try to make it the best it can be. Joe movies, it was similar because it's already an established brand and already an established character. You've got to look the part. At the beginning of each morning, Johnson would complete a 50-minute cardio session before working on a specific body part depending on what day it was, with his legs being the only muscle group that received more than one workout per week. When I'm filming, I do cardio and I lift before going to set. I train about six days a week, and even when I'm not filming I get up between 3 and 5 a. I love training when the sun is coming up because it allows me to put on my headphones and step off the crazy treadmill that is everyone's life. I have my headphones on and I'm listening to my music, and I'm 100 percent focused. There's no wasted time or effort when it comes to me and the weights. When I hit the gym, I'm coming! I train hard, I come to kick ass—clanging and banging. Generally, I'm always shooting or preparing to shoot for something, so that's why I like keeping my conditioning in a certain zone. But even if I wasn't it would launch my day. It makes me feels good. Lots of protein, good carbs, and veggies. Nutrition is so important, it can't be stressed enough. I'd eat a bunch of egg whites, filet mignon, chicken, fish, oatmeal, broccoli, asparagus, a baked potato, cream of rice, salad and complex carbs. All of this measured and weighed. I had carbs with every meal, so there was always a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Then part of my and then also a multitude of multivitamins. Eventually I hired an awesome conditioning coach who helped me. And when we get into our 40s, all of a sudden we start feeling aches and pains. I take and chondroitin for my poor joints. Here's a man who has to accept and embrace his own myth. Remember to do an hour of cardio before you hit the weights. Can You Smell What The Rock Is Cookin'? Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional prior to beginning any diet or exercise program or taking any dietary supplement. The content on our website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.
