JAKE GYLLENHAAL UNDERWENT an impressive body transformation for his latest role, packing on muscle in order to realistically play a mixed martial artist in the Road House remake. The actor’s shredded, fighting-fit physique went viral in 2023 when footage emerged online of him filming an appearance at a UFC event, and the recently released trailer for the movie showed off more of his carved abs.
Gyllenhaal has now shared a look at the intense training that went into building that body, including a grueling conditioning routine that involved taking 20 consecutive punches to the six-pack from professional fighter and stunt performer Steve Brown.
“Lots of punches thrown, lots of punches taken,” he wrote in the caption, thanking the “incredible stunt team” that worked on the movie and shouting out Brown and director Garrett Warren.
“That was fantastic,” Gyllenhaal jokes, adding: “We want the movie to be good, you know.”
The comments are full of people praising Gyllenhaal’s physical commitment to the role, including UFC pro Conor McGregor, who also makes an appearance in Road House as one of the bad guys, who wrote: “The most dedicated!” Brown, meanwhile, commented that he hurt his hands while “hitting those abs of steel.”
Celebrity trainer Jason Walsh, who helped get Gyllenhaal into peak shape for the movie through a rigorous regiment of strength training, cardio and conditioning work, added that “The amount of preparation and dedication put into this project was astonishing,” saying he “Cannot wait for the release.”
Philip Ellis
Philip Ellis is News Editor at Men’s Health, covering fitness, pop culture, sex and relationships, and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared in GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV, and he is the author of Love & Other Scams.
Celebrity Fitness
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