Paul Mescal upped his gym game while prepping for “Gladiator II” – but not in as intense a way you might think.
The actor told the BBC he only spent 45 minutes in the gym each day. That’s not exactly easy, though it’s not the hours and hours you usually hear about when training for a role of this nature. “I was lucky that I had a background in sport before we started this,” he says, likely referencing his days playing Gaelic football, so “it wasn’t going into totally new territory.” He also said he lucked out thanks to his genetics.
Commenters were quick to weigh in on Mescal’s statements on TikTok: “The physique he had in ‘Gladiator’ is not that different from any regular, consistent gym-goer with good diet and genetics. It’s quite realistic and achievable.” “45 mins training with high intensity is actually all you need.” “Very realistic answer.”
But are they right? What is the optimal fitness regimen – and how much are our genetics a factor? The truth is that while there are general exercise and nutrition guidelines for everyone, your genetics will determine how much you need to tweak your routine.
You might ask: “‘Well, am I a lost cause because of my genetics?’ The answer is no, but you may have to work differently to achieve the same result,” says Stephen Clark, physical therapist, athletic trainer and Clinical Innovation Director for Confluent Health.
How much do you need to work out each week?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get…
