Hyrox Is Keeping Tom Hopper Action-Star Ready

1 min readFROM SUPERHERO TO pirate to a Game of Thrones knight (who later gets barbecued by a dragon), Tom Hopper is no stranger to roles that demand strength and muscle. But the British actor isn’t just training for aesthetics. His workouts are tailored to becoming the healthiest version of himself—a goal that is a bigger priority at 41. What does that look like for an actor known for his bulging biceps?“I do Hyrox races now, and I do one high-intensity Hyrox session a week,” says Hopper in the latest Strong Talk. “Everything around that is strength training, formulaic work [that] actually complement my training for the race to stay injury free.” The rigor of training helps to keep him in shape physically and mentally as he takes on the role of former Navy SEAL operative Rafe Hastings in season 2 of action-thriller series The Terminal List.In the episode, Hopper talks to MH fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. and exercise physiologist and strength coach Dr. Pat Davidson on how he adapted his training for some of his most popular roles (including the workout regimen he would never do again), the diet he’s returned to support Hyrox training, and why he prioritizes man makers if he only has 15 minutes to work out.Want more deep-dive fitness wisdom from Samuel and other celebs and experts who've been on our Strong Talk podcast? Check out all our episodes here.Watch the Latest EpisodesGetty ImagesCory VanderploegGetty Images; Gillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationMichael Scott SlosarGetty Images; Gillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationFlorence SullivanGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationPhotograph by Cory VanderploegGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGetty ImagesGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationCourtesy of Subject/MH IllustrationGetty ImagesMen's HealthGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationCourtesy of Sadik HadzovicGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationGillian MacLeod/MH IllustrationJocelyn Solis-Moreira, MS is the associate health & fitness for Men's Health and has previously written for CNN, Scientific American, Popular Science, and National Geographic before joining the brand. When she's not working, she's doing circus arts or working towards the perfect pull-up.