Tips for Training Like an Action Film Star

Bobby Strom is the most revered personal trainer in Hollywood. He’s the man that A-list celebrities go to when they want to get in shape and with a client list including the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson, it’s fair to say he knows his stuff.

One of his latest projects was Joel Kinnaman, who stars as the lead role in the Blockbuster remake of Robocop. We talked with him about how he trained Joel, what kind of exercises he thinks are most effective as well as any tips he can give those wanting to train like an action film star.

What was your aim with Joel? Did he need to simply gain muscle or was it more complicated than that?

My approach especially for an action movie where the actor will be doing stunts is to focus on CORE training and stability work. I incorporate that into a Strength and Conditioning regime. The aesthetics follows and is a by-product of the super-conditioning.

Do you approach working with actors differently to the rest of your clients?

It’s not the profession that dictates a different approach but the goal you are training for. When I train a bride-to-be it’s the same training as an actor for a movie role. Getting her in the best possible shape she can be for a specific deadline/date and to look great in an amazing costume.

How often did you train with Joel and for how long in total?

We started in January of 2013 and haven’t stopped! At the time of RoboCop it was 5 to 6 days a week 60 to 90 minutes a day.

Can you talk us through an average weekly workout that you put him through?

I don’t like to give specifics ’cause I change every workout. Also, my clients don’t like it! What I can tell you is I do very high intensity interval circuits that I call mash-ups. I change it every workout and never do the same one twice. It incorporates core, stability, resistance, flexibility, and plyometric/cardio.

Did you approach training with him differently, knowing that he would be wearing a Robocop suit the whole time?

Yes, this goes back to me incorporating a lot of CORE training.

When training actors such as Joel, how much of an emphasis do you put on dieting? What sort of food did you advise Joel to eat?

It’s a synergy so you can’t separate components. Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand. The emphasis on nutrition is always greater than that of the training. There are a lot of obese people in gyms working out. I use a company here called ZEN Foods. Together, along with a nutritionist, we calculated his proportion of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, essential fats and calories. This changed as we got deeper into his training and his BMI (Body Mass Index) changed.

Did you have to change Joel’s lifestyle completely or was it simply monitoring his food and exercise?

It goes without saying that lack of sleep and alcohol consumption are counterproductive to any exercise regimen. So, I merely inform my clients of this information and they are on their own.

What is the most effective exercise that you make clients do to lose weight or is it entirely dependent on the individual?

Change their eating habits! I know you said exercise, so that would be run 26 mile marathons ’cause they’re all skinny. Haha…

When it comes to training, do you have any tips on how to stay motivated?

Having a realistic goal that you really want to achieve. Make it fun so you won’t dread working out and doing cardio. By this I mean have some great tunes on your iPod and working out with a friend, taking turns choosing exercises.

Can you give away any insider tips for those looking to achieve a movie star body?

Work your a** Off!!! That’s what they do. 3 Tips to a great workout 1) INTENSITY 2) INTENSITY 3) INTENSITY!!!

Robocop is available on digital platforms from 2nd June 2014, and on DVD and Blu-ray from 9th June 2014, courtesy of Studio Canal.