When you think of Star Trek, you don’t usually picture the kind of guys landing magazine covers for their shredded abs or boulder shoulders. Traditionally, the franchise’s stars have been known more for their wit, charisma, and understated presence than for superhero physiques. But that shifted this year when Ethan Peck, the actor behind Spock in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, earned the nickname “Hot Spock.” The moniker plays on the contrast between Spock’s famously stoic, logic-first persona and Peck’s youthful, striking presence, which has caught fans off guard.
In Season 3, Peck’s Spock steps into unfamiliar territory, dabbling in a space rom-com, learning to dance, and strengthening his bond with Paul Wesley’s James T. Kirk. But behind the on-screen levity is some serious off-screen work. Peck has been building a stronger, leaner body to match his commanding role, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
So how does the actor prepare himself to play one of science fiction’s most iconic characters? Men’s Journal caught up with Peck to talk training, recovery, and the regimen that forged his Spock-worthy physique. And for him, it’s not just about looking the part, it’s about building strength for the long haul.
“I would say that I trained for myself in general, for my career, and also just for me,” he said. “My dad was and is a big athlete. I played sports in high school. I pursued physical fitness throughout my twenties and thirties. And my goal is to sort of be as strong and as fit as I can possibly be by the time I hit 50.”
Related: Ethan Peck Talks Star Trek, Bromances and the Power Spock’s Positive Masculinity
While most people see their physical performance decline well before their fifties, Peck, who’s currently 39, believes that’s a misconception. Instead, he’s using this decade to push harder, confident that real progress is still possible later in life.
“I think we can still gain strength and see the benefits of our hard work into our fifties and even sixties,” he said. “And I see it as tied to longevity as well. I would love to live a healthy and long life. And as far as Spock goes, I think he’s a physical specimen.”
While Peck admits his training is ultimately about longevity, he also had a clear goal for his role as Spock. In his view, Vulcans are meant to be strong and imposing, so his workouts needed to reflect that. Instead of focusing on isolation moves to hit single muscles, he built his routine around functional compound lifts any powerlifter would recognize, such as bench press, squat, deadlift, and shoulder press.
“I used to do a five by five with a linear progression, which is right, five sets, five reps, and I increased the weight every time I lift, basically once if I’m going for greater strength,” he says. “But I’ve dropped the sets and I’ve increased the reps. So they say that up to eight reps, you’re training for strength, and beyond that, you’re training more to build size.”
