Jason Momoa Shares His 'Game-Changing' Kettlebell Workout to Bulk Up

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Jason Momoa was born to play Aquaman within the DC Universe. He could not strike a resemblance to Aquaman from the unique comedian books, however that’s for one of the best. At a hulking 6’4″, 240 pounds, Momoa can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the Justice League as King of the Seven Seas.

But portraying an Atlantean superhero with the strength to lift a 200-ton ocean liner doesn’t come without work, even for Momoa. To become the monarch of the undersea realm of Atlantis, Momoa relied on a team of specialists to put the finishing touches on his already imposing physique. 

In the years since Momoa first played Aquaman, the actor’s training has evolved to be less grueling and a lot more “nurturing,” as he likes to name it. Men’s Journal spoke with Momoa concerning the work he did to step again right into a 40-pound supersuit for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Men’s Journal: From the get-go, did you’ve any apprehension towards enjoying a DC superhero?  

Jason Momoa: I’ll be sincere, I used to be scared when Zack Snyder first informed me I used to be going to play Aquaman. I used to be like, ‘I feel you might have the improper man.’ But then he started to describe what the character was going to be like, in addition to his background, and it started to make sense to me. I’m half Polynesian, raised in Iowa. Like him, I’m coming from these two completely different worlds. So as soon as I had that data, and was in a position to visualize what Arthur could possibly be, I acquired actually intrigued. [Director] James [Wan] got here into the method later and took it to an entire new degree. The world that he constructed is admittedly particular. Growing up, I liked the ocean and all I wished to be was a marine biologist, so to get to do a film like that is further particular.

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As far as superheroes go, Aquaman is not precisely by the ebook. What are the advantages to that?

There’s this preconceived notion of what a superhero needs to be in these universes—after which there’s Arthur. He’s not likely what you count on from somebody becoming a member of a crew just like the Justice League. He’ll punch Batman, strive to struggle Superman, and check out to kiss Wonder Woman. He’s not afraid of penalties and he doesn’t really feel beholden to some arbitrary code. This life isn’t a actuality he’s been striving for, it’s one thing that’s been throw at him. He’s a loner and he’s a bit crude. Eventually he does come to settle for his future, the place he is introduced into the group. He finds that when he reunites together with his father and Mera, together with all the opposite Atlanteans.

Tell us mere mortals what it looks like to placed on the Aquaman go well with?

I don’t care who you might be, while you placed on that go well with there is a particular energy you are feeling. The authentic go well with is so epic. It’s unreal to have on. The new blue one is lighter and simpler to put on. The authentic is one of the best, although. Nothing comes shut to it. The wardrobe appears to be like unbelievable in these films. There’s a humorous factor that occurs while you’re on set for a movie like this. One second you are speaking with the grips in your common garments, then you definately go change, come again within the go well with, and even these guys are floored. There’s undoubtedly a special means of carrying your self while you’re sporting it.

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How has your training developed between the Aquaman movies through the years?

My training as of late could be very intentional. In the tip, what I actually need is to find a way to do as many stunts as potential. For the blokes I’ve performed previously who’ve been bodily, there are other ways they strategy life and a struggle. Aquaman is just not going to look or transfer like Khal Drago or Conan the Barbarian. It’s not a shock that by doing workouts that help these guys’ combating kinds, I find yourself extra like them than I ever would simply attempting to do cookie-cutter exercises.

I’m an enormous man to start with, so normally I’m coming into these roles with all of the mass I’m going to want. I deal with the training like placing on my armor. And for a film like Aquaman, and the stunts we do, I would like that armor for the battle scenes. The struggle scenes are brutal on the body. And in the event you consider making ready for a film realistically, you’re not going to change my body drastically in a couple of months—no less than not in a healthy means.

What had been your targets for the second installment?  

It’s about being as pure as potential with my motion and within the fights. If what I’m doing is all about attempting to look unnatural, then the possibility of having the ability to hold it collectively will get much more tough. You can see it when a bodybuilder cheats on their weight loss program or loses focus for only a week or so. If you strive to accomplish a powerful however pure physique for your self, it’s going to be quite a bit higher in the long run. And it’s going to be quite a bit simpler to keep the entire 12 months via, which is how lengthy a few of these productions take. I’ve additionally had so many accidents through the years that now I’m extra within the exercises that take care of me as a lot as they make me robust.

What training instruments or strategies have you ever relied on to transfer properly however develop measurement and strength?

I discover training with kettlebells and resistance bands very nurturing. The second I found kettlebells, it was a game-changer. I by no means did any type of remoted training for my legs, as a result of I’m half Hawaiian, and genetically which means if I train legs even just a bit bit, they get large. I’m already beginning at 240 kilos, and in a great world I’m not going too far above that. The wonderful thing about kettlebells is that they torch the legs in an actual means but in addition train every little thing else together with the core, they usually get you actually robust. Even when the weight is only a fraction of what you may really elevate.

I’ve three large kettlebells I normally work with. Most of the time I take advantage of 88-pound (40-kg) kettlebells and simply throw these round. I’ll do break up squats, sumo squats, kettlebell swings, single-arm press for the shoulders, Turkish getups. I’ll wrap up with a 124-pound (56-kg) kettlebell. I don’t have a lot time as of late, so it’s about how shortly and the way powerfully I can bang it out. Keeping good individuals round me who love to train and encourage me is a big a part of being profitable as properly.

Are your days of heavy lifting over?

I’ll elevate once I’m preparing for a film like this, normally with dumbbells and cable machines. But there are specific exercises I don’t suppose I’ll do once more, just like the flat bench. It simply does’t make sense for me to try this anymore. There are so many different issues which might be higher for my all-around strength and skill to carry out. I nonetheless get tempted from time to time to go max elevate, and to add these further two further plates on. But that’s once I want to have a dialog with myself and ensure I don’t do one thing that is going to do extra harm than good. I’ve acquired a bit of extra knowledge now. I’ve been via this dance for 45 years.

What’s the largest lesson you have discovered about understanding?

I’ve discovered through the years that being injured is such a downer. It’s such a drain, mentally, particularly while you take pleasure in getting after it. And it’s these reminiscences of what it was like to be injured that hold me in verify. So once I’m feeling good, I’m tremendous centered on preserving that feeling for so long as potential. I’ve additionally realized that I get greater after my workouts the extra I relaxation. It’s not about pounding myself with workouts again and again. If I take two days off, I come again greater and stronger.

Are you continue to climbing? I do know that is been a long-time ardour of yours.

Climbing was an enormous a part of my preparation for the second Aquaman film. The final day of pre-production, earlier than we started filming, I went to this large climbing health club in Toronto referred to as Hub Climbing. It’s an ideal indicator of the place I’m at bodily and actually enjoyable. It’s additionally a good way to work out the entire body in unison. I’ve been collaborating with nice individuals within the climbing world, like Fred Nicole, who’s my idol and I’ve designed some So Ill shoes with him. Sadly, there hasn’t been a lot climbing for me lately as a result of one in every of my knuckles is all tousled. But I get to reside vicariously via my children who’re climbing up a storm. They’re doing V8s, whereas I’m caught doing V3s and V4s, if I’m fortunate.

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Any secrets and techniques to holding training enjoyable and sustaining motivation?

There are so many various methods to work out whereas actually having fun with life. You can get burnt out tremendous simply if all you do is raise issues simply to put them down. So doing the belongings you love to do, then throwing in a bit of weight training right here and there may be actually the components for me. I’ve been doing quite a lot of boxing with Ian Streetz, who I really like. I’ve been bringing him with me in all places. Even now, he’s with me whereas I’m filming the Minecraft film. I don’t get to field as a lot as I would really like to, as a result of we’re so busy, however I really like once I get to throw some arms. My children love to field, too. My daughter is such a hammer. I’m not going to have to fear about her in any respect.

Does it really feel fated to be on this place enjoying Aquaman—and for a second go-around nonetheless?

This has been a type of destined roles. It feels meant to be. I by no means thought in one million years I might get a possibility like this. And none of us anticipated the primary one to be as large of a success because it was. I used to be already pleased with the film after we wrapped, and was so excited that I acquired along with my producing associate to write out concepts for this followup instantly. I started writing all of the issues I wished to see Aquaman undergo. We had been in a position to get it to DC, Warner Bros., and James fairly shortly they usually actually responded to it. I can’t wait till individuals see it. It’s actually enjoyable.

These films have additionally given me a platform to discuss environmental points and tackle among the issues happening on this world that I really like. I had so many younger children developing to me when the primary one got here out. And being a father, who has children developing on this world, who can take pleasure in one thing he’s completed, it is particular. The reality I used to be in a position to possibly foster that fascination with the underwater world makes me very comfortable.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is now enjoying in theaters. For showtimes closest to you, verify the official website. 

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