In a recent spread for Men’s Health, Austin Butler looks back on his career and having to physically change his body for a majority of his hit roles.
From Elvis, Dune 2, to his recent role in Caught Cheating, Butler has either leaned out or put on weight for his on-screen characters. In his interview, he admits that his hectic work schedule can lead to some sleepless nights. But he’s developed a new workout routine thanks to Tom Hardy that works.
After finishing filming for Enemies, Butler went home and “went to the gym, got on a treadmill, set it to a steep incline, and walked on it for half an hour before hitting the sauna.”
Followed by a cold shower, Butler had a restful night’s sleep. He admits he used to put on a movie to relax, but it doesn’t do the trick anymore.
His new wind-down routine is thanks to Hardy, with whom he starred in the movie The Bikeriders. Bustler explains that Hardy would go home, put on a weighted vest, and do 1,000 box jumps.
“I’m just trying to find little things like that,” said the actor, while adding that waking up in the afternoon and going out onto his balcony also helps.
Getting physically fit for his roles has become the norm for the actor, who recalls his role as Feyd Rautha for Dune 2.
He worked with trainer and former Navy Seal Duff Gaver to get the shredded and muscled look needed for the character.
“He just ramps up the weight, so you’re just getting heavier and heavier,” Butler recalls about Gaver’s training regimen. “I remember him telling me, ‘Chicken, broccoli, brown rice, and lift, motherf*ckers.'”
Butler recently trained with Beth Lewis for his role in Caught Cheating to have the thick build of a baseball player, but also admits to eating a lot of pizza to not appear as chiseled.
