Actor Jake Gyllenhaal not only embraced a movie role for ‘Road House’ but also underwent a remarkable transformation both physically and mentally for the project. In a recent YouTube video, Gyllenhaal took fans through the typical workout routine he utilized to prepare for ‘Road House.’
Prior to the film’s debut, fans were buzzing with excitement upon learning that former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor would co-star alongside Gyllenhaal. Teasers like a cut scene inside the actual Octagon added to the anticipation, as the movie aimed for authenticity, portraying Gyllenhaal’s character as a former 185-pound UFC fighter.
From the trailers to the film’s release, fans have been impressed by Gyllenhaal’s physique, convincingly portraying an MMA fighter. Many have been curious about how he achieved such muscle gains within a short timeframe.
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Prompted by this curiosity, Gyllenhaal’s trainer, Walsh, has finally decided to reveal some of the secrets behind the actor’s physical transformation.
Jake Gyllenhaal Unveils MMA-Inspired Workout for ‘Road House’ Remake”
In preparation for his role in the ‘Road House’ remake, Jake Gyllenhaal meticulously developed a workout routine inspired by MMA training. Understanding the physical demands and rigors of the sport, Gyllenhaal tailored his regimen to authentically capture the essence of an MMA fighter’s life.
“I spoke with the stunt team to understand their needs. I spoke with the director and producer to understand their expectations. Not only did Jake need aesthetics, but he needed to perform stunts across from Conor McGregor, a professional athlete in the UFC who has also never performed stunts on screen.”
He and his coach Walsh underlined their collective goals for Gyllenhaal’s body and performance.
“Jake needed athleticism, resiliency, and overall strength. This would also feed the mind and mentality he would need to get up after a fall, a potential punch, or a kick,” addsWalsh.
“After taking all this into consideration, I then had to sit down and build the program that would ultimately build the foundation of the Dalton character.”
Workout Breakdown
- Mobility Drills
- Proteus Motion Drills
- Isometric Inverted Row Holds
- Sled Work
- Safety Bar Squats
- Forearm Work
- Offset Loading Bag Drills
- Swiss Bar Floor Press
- Chain Push-Ups
- Suspension Trainer Push-Pull
- Push-Pull Rips
- Climber Sprints
Mobility drills constitute a vital component of Gyllenhaal’s workout regimen.
“Generally, we spend a few minutes each session moving trying to get the core body to mature up before moving into some sort of mobility which you see here with the stick, which is a great tool to help increase range of motion.”
“The Proteus is an amazing piece of equipment used mostly by performance centers to help train athletes in every plane of motion and also to help increase power production. We use it primarily for priming the nervous system, proprioception, learning movement patterns, and a lot for warming up joints and metabolic training.”
Isometric exercises play a crucial role in the actor’s regimen, contributing to enhanced strength and stamina.
“Isometrics are a staple here at Rise Movement we use them all the time to help increase strength, stamina, and different joint angles.”
Gyllenhaal continued to prioritize heavy stimulus loads in his training, achieving this through sled work.
“We still want the heavy stimulus so we do a lot of heavy sled work,” adds Walsh. “We always keep the heavy primitive work one-way shape or form whether it’s squats or deadlifts and the variations thereof, we want to keep the muscle coordination at a high.”
“We pepper in various exercises to keep the grip tight,” said Walsh.
As part of his MMA-inspired training, Gyllenhaal incorporates offset loading bag drills as one of his movements.
“Here we see some examples more relatable to MMA training keeping the body in check with offset loading and movements that are more imperative to sport.”
“It’s imperative to keep this stimuli broad with variations of sets, reps, loads, and different tempos.”
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To conclude his workout, Gyllenhaal incorporates additional MMA-style exercises along with climbing sprints.
“Cross lateral loading is very important to all sports, especially to MMA fight training. These come in various forms but this is one of my favorites.”
“We keep things in balance with push-pull-rips.”
“Some primitive Climber sprints to finish him off,” adds Walsh.
Fans always appreciate actors who commit to transforming their physiques. With ‘Deadpool 3’ on the horizon, Hugh Jackman faces the challenge of bulking up and defining his muscles to reprise his role as Wolverine on the big screen.
Gyllenhaal’s workout routine focused on athleticism, resiliency, and overall strength, key elements that brought his latest character to life. By prioritizing these factors, he was able to fully embody the role. For those looking to push their physical boundaries, this workout regimen is ideal for you!
You can watch the full video from the Men’s Health YouTube channel below:
Overview
Jake Gyllenhaal transformed himself for his role in the ‘Road House’ remake, as showcased in a recent YouTube video detailing his workout routine. The announcement of Conor McGregor’s involvement added to the film’s anticipation. Gyllenhaal’s impressive physique in trailers and the film’s release sparked curiosity about his training methods. Finally, Gyllenhaal’s trainer, Walsh, unveiled some of the secrets behind his transformation.
Featured Image @Jake Gyllenhaal, @Men’s Health (Instagram & Youtube)