Move over Chris Hemsworth, Hollywood has a new fitness favorite, and his name is Glen Powell. The 35-year-old Texan, renowned for his roles alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, is set to showcase his romantic side in the upcoming film Anyone But You, co-starring Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney.
However, our focus extends beyond Powell’s career to the sculpted physique that grabbed attention, especially in the iconic Top Gun beach football scene. Achieving such a physique required the expertise of Nick Mitchell, the founder of the global fitness brand Ultimate Performance.
“I’m not a celebrity trainer,” Mitchell emphasizes, “I hate that [title], it’s vomit-inducing, but this was an interesting opportunity, and Glen Powell is genuinely the most positive, upbeat guy, so why not?”
For Powell, the mission was clear – a specific look for a particular scene. Mitchell explains, “Different roles have different looks. Top Gun is more cartoonish, more over the top. For the beach scene, we worked on specific poses. It was all about mirror-muscles.”
The focus was on building muscle for Powell’s upper body and incorporating functional training for the lower body. Mitchell clarifies, “It’s everything from traps to deltoids, back, abs, and obviously arms.”
Maximizing Dedication in the Gym
To achieve Powell’s impressive physique, a rigorous six to eight weeks of training were essential, with Powell hitting the gym three to four days a week. Mitchell highlights Powell’s dedication, emphasizing, “We’re squeezing things in between filming. The studio didn’t pay for it. We didn’t have an extra nutritionist or massage therapist. It was just me and him.”
The experience was a testament to Powell’s work ethic. “He’s a grafter. He’s a dopamine-driven guy, which makes him a delight to train. You can’t train him hard enough, he goes all out, and he loves it.”
Mitchell and Powell’s collaboration was so enjoyable that, even post-filming, they continue to train together.
Nutrition Unveiled
In Powell’s journey to peak fitness, nutrition played a crucial role. Without a specified nutritionist, Mitchell guided Powell through a straightforward approach. “It’s about calorie control based on level of leanness and energy, based on gym performance, among other things,” Mitchell explains. The key was regular assessments of strength and aesthetics.
The nutrition plan centered around ample protein and carb cycling. Powell would have days without carbs, followed by an aesthetics check-in. If needed, they’d reintroduce carbs. Mitchell’s advice? Keep it simple and effective.
The Workout Blueprint
Mitchell’s workout philosophy involved maximizing efficiency, especially when time was limited. Powell’s routine included a lot of gymnastic ring work, engaging the entire body for stability.
Inspired by Powell’s workouts, here’s a sample routine to try:
Ring Feet Elevated Push-Ups / Ring Feet Elevated Rows
Adjust the rings to knee height for push-ups.
Perform push-ups in a plank position, keeping the core tight.
Follow with elevated rows for an upper back workout.
Ring Dip / Ring Face Pulls
Dips with rings slightly above waist-height.
Engage the upper back with face pulls, starting from a standing position.
Ring Bicep Curls / Tricep Extensions
Do curls lying down or standing.
For tricep extensions, lean in towards the rings, pushing them away with palms.
Remember, this routine is inspired by Powell’s workouts and can be done once a week with four sets of ten reps per exercise.
In unraveling the fitness secrets behind Glen Powell’s transformation, it’s evident that dedication, simplicity, and strategic training played key roles. Whether you’re a Hollywood star or an aspiring fitness enthusiast, there’s much to learn from Powell’s journey to next-level shape.
