Buffest Actors in Hollywood

Hollywood has a long list of stars who put in serious work to build powerful physiques for the screen. These actors train like athletes, manage demanding schedules, and still show up ready for complex stunts and long shooting days. Their routines draw on strength training, conditioning, and recovery so they can perform take after take without breaking down.

This list highlights how they train, eat, and prepare for roles that require size, strength, and stamina. You will find coaches they have worked with, disciplines they practice, and habits that keep them in shape between projects. Use it as a quick guide to who does what and how they keep it going year after year.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson moved from championship pro wrestling to leading roles in action franchises including ‘Fast & Furious’, ‘Hobbs & Shaw’, and ‘Black Adam’. He maintains a high volume split routine that covers heavy compound lifts and machine work across multiple early morning sessions each week. He travels with a full mobile gym he calls the Iron Paradise so he can train on location without interruptions.

His nutrition centers on frequent meals with lean protein, rice or potatoes, and vegetables to support long shoots and heavy training. He schedules planned higher calorie meals during intense phases and uses soft tissue work and sleep routines to speed recovery when production days run late.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth built the size and athleticism for ‘Thor’ and carried that conditioning into projects like ‘Extraction’. He works closely with trainer Luke Zocchi and uses a mix of classic lifts, bodyweight circuits, boxing, and functional conditioning to keep mobility and power while adding mass for specific roles.

He created the Centr program to organize training blocks, recovery sessions, and meal planning. His meals feature lean meats, whole grains, fruit, and plenty of water, and he times higher carbohydrate intake around demanding workouts to support performance without unnecessary weight gain.

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill prepared for ‘Man of Steel’ and returned to superhero shape for ‘Justice League’ while also leading the fantasy series ‘The Witcher’. He has trained with coaches including Mark Twight and Dave Rienzi and uses compound lifts, Olympic variations, and loaded carries to build strength that translates to stunt work.

His nutrition focuses on high protein intake with measured carbohydrates to match training intensity. He keeps hydration and sleep consistent during long shooting schedules and uses mobility sessions to protect his back and shoulders through sword work and armor scenes.

Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa brought a powerful frame to ‘Aquaman’ and combines that size with movement skills he developed as a lifelong climber and surfer. He leans on functional circuits that include kettlebells, sandbags, and bodyweight flows so he can move quickly during underwater rig work and wire sequences.

He cycles training intensity around filming and prefers whole foods like fish, lean meats, and produce to stay fueled without feeling sluggish on set. Rock climbing sessions double as grip and pulling strength work, and he adds short sprint intervals to keep conditioning sharp between heavy days.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista transitioned from championship pro wrestling to film roles in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, ‘Dune’, and ‘Blade Runner 2049’. His lifting background gives him the structure for hypertrophy phases, and he adds Brazilian jiu jitsu and boxing for coordination and conditioning during fight choreography.

He keeps a steady protein intake and spaces meals to maintain energy across long production blocks. Mobility drills and joint prep work are a regular part of his warmups so shoulder and hip health stay solid through repeated stunt rehearsals.

John Cena

John Cena brought his powerlifting roots to action projects like ‘Bumblebee’, entries in ‘Fast & Furious’, and the series ‘Peacemaker’. His gym work emphasizes heavy squats, presses, and pulls with strict technique, plus accessory movements that protect the knees, shoulders, and lower back.

He structures meals to support muscle retention during travel and press tours and keeps hydration high to manage workload and stage appearances. He also schedules prehab sessions for hips and shoulders so he can handle sprint work and stunt rigs without setbacks.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman built his physique for Wolverine across multiple ‘X-Men’ films and carried it into ‘Logan’. Trainer David Kingsbury programmed progressive strength cycles that rotate lower rep work with focused accessory training so he could add muscle while protecting elbow and shoulder joints.

He used carb cycling to match intake with training demand and relied on lean protein sources and vegetables to stay lean between heavy phases. Early morning fasted training and consistent sleep helped him maintain energy for full days of action scenes and vocal work.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan built fight-ready size for ‘Creed’ and then added more overall muscle for ‘Black Panther’. He worked with trainer Corey Calliet on a split that paired boxing drills with targeted hypertrophy sessions so he could handle long ring takes and still look sharp on camera.

He ate on a schedule with high protein and controlled portions and used water intake and electrolyte balance to keep performance steady during choreographed fights. Jump rope, mitt work, and core training stayed in the plan year round so his footwork and posture held up under pressure.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans developed the strength to carry ‘Captain America’ and returned to that standard through multiple ‘Avengers’ films. He trained with coach Simon Waterson using heavy compound lifts, sled pushes, and gymnastic style core work to build power without sacrificing range of motion.

Meals centered on lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, with extra carbs placed near demanding lower body sessions. He put extra attention on shoulder stability and rotator cuff prep so shield throws and overhead work remained smooth after long takes.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy changed his build for ‘Warrior’, then shifted to a bulked frame for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, and later prepared a different look for ‘Venom’. His camps combine boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and strength circuits that use pushups, pullups, kettlebells, and band work for dense sessions that fit tight call times.

He organizes short daily blocks rather than marathon workouts so recovery stays on track during filming. Nutrition stays simple with lean protein, vegetables, and steady hydration, and he adds calories only when he needs extra mass for a specific role.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews moved from the NFL to action and comedy with ‘The Expendables’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. He follows a consistent lifting plan with benching, rowing, squatting, and overhead work, and he keeps daily cardio with steady runs to support heart health and on set stamina.

He uses an intermittent fasting schedule with an eating window later in the day and focuses on whole foods during that window. He includes mobility and foam rolling to protect joints that took years of impact from football and stunt work.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger set the standard for movie muscle with ‘Conan the Barbarian’ and ‘The Terminator’. His classic high volume bodybuilding programs used supersets and strict form on squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and rows to build balanced size across the entire frame.

He keeps his routine active with daily training and promotes recovery through walking, cycling, and consistent sleep. His meals prioritize protein and vegetables and he speaks openly about reducing processed foods so energy remains steady for writing, hosting, and gym sessions.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone built a durable action career with ‘Rocky’ and ‘Rambo’. He combines boxing drills, heavy bag rounds, and sprint intervals with weight training that targets shoulders, back, and legs for punching power and balance.

He plans meals to stay light during fight choreography while still hitting protein targets for recovery. Flexibility work and core training are staples so he can throw combinations and handle clinch sequences without strain.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg prepared for roles like ‘Pain & Gain’ and large scale action franchises such as ‘Transformers’. He schedules early morning training with compound lifts, sled work, and circuits that keep heart rate up while building muscle.

He manages nutrition with lean proteins, oats or rice, and vegetables and times higher carb meals around heavy sessions. Recovery includes massage and stretching so he can move from intense gym work to long days on set without losing range of motion.

Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani transformed his build for ‘Eternals’ after earlier work in ‘Silicon Valley’. He trained with coaches who focused on progressive overload, especially presses, rows, and leg work, and added isolations to bring up lagging muscle groups for superhero costuming.

His results came from strict meal planning with measured protein intake and steady hydration alongside regular sleep. He kept conditioning with incline walking and intervals that support heart health without interfering with muscle gain.

Share your picks for the buffest actors in the comments and tell us who else deserves a spot.