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Hugh Jackman Workout

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Written by Sam · Filed Under Workouts & Training  137,500 views

hugh jackman workout

Hugh Jackman Workout Plan

Star of X-Men and Australia, Hugh Jackman has built a body like a brick and his next superhero movie “Wolverine” is going to show him at his best physique. So what is this Aussie doing that has his training program so highly requested by other celebrities?

Hugh’s workouts consisted of a multi-phase approach.

1st phase was focused on building mass by changing the speed of each lift, 3 sec count up and then a 1 sec count down or really slow 4 sec count up and 4 count down.

2nd phase focused on strength by lifting really heavy weights, without the sec count.

Each phase lasted from six to twelve weeks, for 1-2hrs, 5 days a week.

When it is close to shooting time, he lifts weights 1 day and fills the other days with running, yoga, pilates, and stretching. For the full workout check out below…

P.S. I have updated Hugh’s workout for his new role if you want to check that out visit Hugh Jackman Workout.

Hugh Jackman Workout Day 1

* Dumbbell Chest Press (Swiss ball and dumbbells required): While holding a pair of dumbbells, get into a table-top position with chest up and back to the floor, and with head resting on a Swiss ball and knees bent (imagine doing bench presses without the bench but using your core muscles and feet to stabilize your weight distribution).Keep hips up and shoulder blades pulled down and back together. Perform 12 reps (pick a weight so the 12th rep is hard); 3 seconds up and 3 seconds down.

* Push-ups: Do immediately after chest press. Keep head in line with the spine and support lower back by pulling belly button into the spine. Can be done from knees or toes. Perform 25 reps (take a break if you have to, but finish 25). Rest 1 minute and repeat Dumbbell Press and Push-ups for 3 sets.

* Lat Pull Downs (modular lat pulldown machine required): With palms facing away from the body, grip hands on the bend of the bar. Pull bar down below chin, keeping shoulder blades pulled down and together. Perform 12 reps; 3 seconds down and 3 seconds up.

* External Shoulder Rotations (tubing required): Do immediately after Lat Pull Downs . Use tubing with palms facing up and elbows in tight to body. Stretch out band, holding elbows at 90 degrees, thumbs outward. Perform 20 reps; 2 seconds out and 2 seconds back. Rest 1 minute and repeat Lat Pulls and External Shoulder Rotations for 3 sets.

* Cable Side Raise (adjustable cable pulley machine required): Grip a cable in front of the body with one arm, with a slight bend in the elbow. Hold posture, keep shoulder blades down and back. Perform 12 reps; 3 seconds down and 3 seconds up. Do other arm immediately.

* Straight Bar Curl (free-standing bar required): Grab bar shoulder-width apart and curl, holding a soft knee bend and without arching back. Perform 12 reps; 3 seconds up and 3 seconds down.

* Close Grip Bar Push-up (free-standing bar and squat rack required): Do immediately after Straight Bar Curl. In a squat rack, set up bar at waist height. Perform a push-up with elbows in tight. Do 12 reps; 5 seconds down and 5 seconds up. Rest 1 minute. Repeat Straight Bar Curls and Close Grip Bar Push-ups for 3 sets.

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Hugh Jackman Workout Day 2

* Leg Squat: Slowly lower the body on one leg, bringing the hips back so the front knee does not go beyond the toes and squat until upper thigh is parallel to the ground. Perform 12 reps on each leg; 3 seconds up and 3 seconds down. Rest 1 minute and repeat for 3 sets.

* Balance Board Lunge (extreme or round board is required): Place one foot centered on balance board, back foot on toes behind in a lunge. Slowly bend both back and front knees into a lunge until front thigh is parallel to the ground. Perform 12 reps on each leg; 4 seconds down and 4 seconds up.

* Split Leg Box Jump (do immediately after balance lunge): Plant one foot on top of a box/bench that holds the front knee at 90 degrees. With weight mainly on the top leg, jump and switch legs. Do 30 jumps. Rest 1 minute. Repeat Balance Board Lunge and Split Leg Box Jumps – 3 sets.

* Jack Knife: Start in a push-up position with toes on top of a Swiss ball. Raise hips up slightly and draw the belly-button into the spine. Pull knees up towards chest. Perform 20 reps; 2 seconds in and 2 seconds out.

* Swiss Ball Crunch (do immediately after jack knife): Lie on top of ball with low back supported; pull in belly button to spine. Perform crunch, exhaling as you come up without allowing stomach to “pop up.” Perform 20 reps; 2 seconds up and 2 seconds down. Rest 1 min and repeat Jack Knife and Crunch 3 sets.

Hugh Jackman Workout Day 3

Do 3 sets of the following exercises with no rest in between.

* Walking Lunges: Hold dumbbells at sides. Step through front heel and bring back knee towards floor. Do 30 steps.

* Push-ups: Do 100.

* Swiss Ball Crunch: Do 50.

* Sprint: Outside or on treadmill, sprint 1 minute at 80 per cent intensity.

* Inch Worms : In a push-up position, take tiny steps so the feet come towards the hands. Keep walking until you feel a gentle stretch through the hamstrings. Do this 30 times.

* Lat Pull Downs : Do 50.

* Stairs: Take every second step. Perform 20 reps (up and down is 1).

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Conclusion of Hugh Jackman Workout:

It is key to have tons of protein (try supplementing with whey protein), and 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Because of the high intensity remember warm up adequately before starting and get in lots of flexibility training at the end of your workouts.

Have you tried this workout? Leave a comment below:

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Comments

  • Kieren

    Sam, this workout is fantastic mate!, Im definitely gonna stick to it for a while, thanks for posting it!

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      Awesome Kieren, glad you like it! Make sure to leave a comment and let us know how it goes after a few weeks! :)

  • Aaron

    Excellent workout. Day 3 is extremely tough!! I’ve finished my 3rd day yesterday and today my bum, stomach and legs don’t work.

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      NICE! Thanks for the great feedback, keep it up and remember to give your body a rest day between sessions when going this hard!

  • Aaron

    Excellent workout. Day 3 is extremely tough!! I’ve finished my 3rd day yesterday and today my bum, stomach and legs don’t work.

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      NICE! Thanks for the great feedback, keep it up and remember to give your body a rest day between sessions when going this hard!

  • Raul

    Hey Sam, can you tell me anything about the secs gong up and down? Like, what would the difference be if I brought the weight down slower than pushed it up?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      A good time to hit is 2 seconds up and 2 seconds down. You can bring the weight down slower and push it up to add variety to your training, definitely a good technique to change things up. Generally some like to keep a bit of a faster pace so they can also burn extra calories, but variation is always a bonus!

  • Raul

    Hey Sam, can you tell me anything about the secs gong up and down? Like, what would the difference be if I brought the weight down slower than pushed it up?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      A good time to hit is 2 seconds up and 2 seconds down. You can bring the weight down slower and push it up to add variety to your training, definitely a good technique to change things up. Generally some like to keep a bit of a faster pace so they can also burn extra calories, but variation is always a bonus!

  • Mike

    This workout seems really intense, but just one question..at the beginning of the article you say that Jackman went through 2 different phases..for each phase was he just doing all these workouts with the countdown and weight like you said?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      HI Mike, the other 2 phases were not discussed by his trainer but most likely included bulking up and cardio training so he could get to this level.

  • Mike

    This workout seems really intense, but just one question..at the beginning of the article you say that Jackman went through 2 different phases..for each phase was he just doing all these workouts with the countdown and weight like you said?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      HI Mike, the other 2 phases were not discussed by his trainer but most likely included bulking up and cardio training so he could get to this level.

  • Hemant

    Hi Sam,

    My friend and I just started this worked out 1 week ago and it is a great work out (especially day 5). But it is a lot of reps with less weight, so is this workout good for building bulk and not just toning? Or would you recommend that I change it up a little bit and do less rep more weight if i want to get bigger?

    Thanks!
    Tejas

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      Hi Hemant, this workout is intended for toning up so you’re right on the mark…decrease reps and increase weight for building bulk, winter is a great time to do this!

  • Hemant

    Hi Sam,

    My friend and I just started this worked out 1 week ago and it is a great work out (especially day 5). But it is a lot of reps with less weight, so is this workout good for building bulk and not just toning? Or would you recommend that I change it up a little bit and do less rep more weight if i want to get bigger?

    Thanks!
    Tejas

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      Hi Hemant, this workout is intended for toning up so you’re right on the mark…decrease reps and increase weight for building bulk, winter is a great time to do this!

  • Hemant

    Great, will make sure to do that thanks! But as far as the exercises (push-ups, stairs, sprint, etc), is this a good work out in general for building bulk?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      push-ups, stairs, sprint are great for increasing your cardiovascular health and help you with your weightlifting…as long as you keep them short duration and very intense they can help you build bulk too.

  • Hemant

    Great, will make sure to do that thanks! But as far as the exercises (push-ups, stairs, sprint, etc), is this a good work out in general for building bulk?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      push-ups, stairs, sprint are great for increasing your cardiovascular health and help you with your weightlifting…as long as you keep them short duration and very intense they can help you build bulk too.

  • Hemant

    Thanks again! I will try this for the next 2 months or so and see how it goes. What other workout would you recommend for building bulk?

  • Hemant

    Thanks again! I will try this for the next 2 months or so and see how it goes. What other workout would you recommend for building bulk?

  • josh

    sorry so sam, in total day 3 is 300 pushups in total?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      Hi Josh, that’s correct this is a very intense workout!

  • josh

    sorry so sam, in total day 3 is 300 pushups in total?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      Hi Josh, that’s correct this is a very intense workout!

  • josh

    awesome, thanks for clearing that up

  • josh

    awesome, thanks for clearing that up

  • Jason

    Hey, at the top it says he did 2 phases, bulking and strength training. But the thing is, this workout here that you listed, all consist of tons of reps, cardio and endurance training. Correct me if I’m wrong, but this workout seems more like a fat burning/toning routine. Isn’t bulking/strength training supposed to be roughly 6 reps, and like 2minute rest in between each set? Also for the 3rd workout day, you say no rest in between each set, but there has to be a rest, so do you mean like 15 seconds? And since its a 5day plan and you said hugh jackman cycles trough day 1, 2 and 3, do you mean for example:
    Monday – Day 1 workout
    Tuesday – Day 2 workout
    Wednesday – Day 3 workout
    Thursday – Day 1 workout
    Friday – Day 2 workout

    Is it 5 days straight in a row, or what days do you have breaks?
    Sorry for asking so much, thanks!

  • andrew

    Yes, how many days rest do you take between workout?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      Hi Andrew, 1-2 days of rest between workout is adequate.

  • andrew

    Yes, how many days rest do you take between workout?

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      Hi Andrew, 1-2 days of rest between workout is adequate.

  • Ectomorph Eddie

    Hi Sam,

    Great article.

    I’ve been lifting off and on for years, constantly for 6 months now, gained 40lbs I am at 175 5’9”. I still feel like I can bulk up a little more, but it seems as if I have hit a wall. I’ve changed up routines, took a week off, even changed gym’s but nothing doing. My other choice is roids but I really would rather stay natural.

    My question is, is this work out good for my situation?? Or do I need to tweak it a little.

    Thanks in advance..

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com/ Sam

      Hi Eddie, sounds like diet may be another part of what’s keeping you back. Are you supplementing with whey protein? This workout is pretty intense and I’d be surprised if you don’t get some good results from it.

  • Ectomorph Eddie

    Hi Sam,

    Great article.

    I’ve been lifting off and on for years, constantly for 6 months now, gained 40lbs I am at 175 5’9”. I still feel like I can bulk up a little more, but it seems as if I have hit a wall. I’ve changed up routines, took a week off, even changed gym’s but nothing doing. My other choice is roids but I really would rather stay natural.

    My question is, is this work out good for my situation?? Or do I need to tweak it a little.

    Thanks in advance..

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      Hi Eddie, sounds like diet may be another part of what’s keeping you back. Are you supplementing with whey protein? This workout is pretty intense and I’d be surprised if you don’t get some good results from it.

  • rudeboy68

    Hey i just got a question on how i can do this work out
    as functional training rather than isolation ?

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Hey rudeboy68, this workout is intended to be done as a split routine, however you can do the exercises in a circuit with little rest between exercises but a long rest period after the first cycle. Do 3 complete cycles.

  • Ohhoy

    what are external shoulder rotations with the palms facing up. I have googled it, but all the videos show people with their palms facing either left or right not up or down.

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Shouldn't make too much difference with your palm facing up or left/right. Just make sure you keep your elbows in tight near your body.

  • Brian

    hey sam,just wondering about the 2nd phase of the program,the heavy phase, is there a certain amount of sets n reps you do??

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Hi Brian, go for 6 reps and 2-3 sets. That will pack on most muscle and strength but it will also be quite intense!

  • Brian

    no pain no gain buddy

  • Ian

    my husband is a dedicated health and hugh jackman freak. any encouragement you could send would be so great! thank you for the wolverine workout his favorite!

  • Lee

    Hi all I wiegh 11 stone and train twice a week with my Footy team then a match on Saturday.I dnt always go gym but I want to but need a good routine and want a body like hugh.I can't lift heavy at all i lift 20 e/a on dumbells and manage 3 sets of 12 can u do this routine starting of light and gradualy lift more.I've got real determination but can't lift big would that matter with this routine or can I do it and will it get me lifting bigger.also is the cardio I do from football enuff and do u recomend sups.plz help guys need a change in my bod and fast

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Hi Lee, you need to start out with a workout routine that is a little less intense and build to this one. This article has some great workouts you can do for 6 weeks each until you advance and get stronger – http://weightlossandtraining.com/freeworkoutrou…

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Great question, it actually means take 3-5 seconds when lowering and 3-5 seconds when raising.

    • Luke10duke

      Thank you! I do have another question. For phase 2, are we still doing the same exercises and supersets with heavier weights? Or do we just want to hit the same muscle groups as phase 1?

      • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

        That is definitely one strategy, to go heavier which is great for muscle building.

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Not a bad idea at all, will do!

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Not if you keep the weights down or if you’re already pretty tall and not worried about height growth.

  • Jesse

    hey on day 3,, do you actually get to100 push-ups

    • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

      You bet, doesn’t have to be in all at once, as long as you get there!

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    Hi Abe, you start over again on Day 4!

  • David

    Hello well long story short this workout looks really good the thing is I am in the army and we don’t always have time to go to the gym and use weights is there anyway this could be modified to be able to do this without machines or weights?

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    You can definitely go up in weight with each set.

  • http://weightlossandtraining.com Sam

    You can do either…I prefer rest days in between to allow your muscles some more recovery time.

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