Summary

The article discusses the challenges and adjustments that middle-aged actors, such as Jason Momoa and Ryan Reynolds, face in maintaining their fitness for superhero roles as they deal with aging, injuries, and health issues.

Abstract

The article delves into the harsh realities of staying fit in middle age, particularly for actors known for playing superheroes. It highlights the experiences of Jason Momoa, who portrays Aquaman, and his recent shift to lighter workouts to prevent injury and over-exertion. The piece also references Ryan Reynolds, who has similarly had to adapt his fitness routine due to past injuries from stunts and overexertion. The author shares personal insights on the necessity of modifying exercise routines to accommodate an aging body, emphasizing the importance of listening to one's body and making wise choices to maintain fitness and health without causing further harm. The article encourages readers to find alternative exercises, such as kettlebell training, and to remember that adjusting one's fitness regimen is not a sign of weakness but a step towards longevity in physical activity.

Opinions

The author acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining peak physical fitness as one ages, drawing from personal experience with injuries and health scares.
There is a clear understanding that while the mind may push for intense workouts, the body requires more moderate and sustainable activities to prevent injury.
Jason Momoa's introspective approach to modifying his workout routine is seen as a wise and necessary adjustment for longevity and health.
The article conveys that it's common for highly driven individuals, especially those in the public eye, to push their bodies too far and that this can lead to significant setbacks.
The author expresses that while it can be disappointing to give up certain activities, it's better to engage in exercises that allow for consistent daily activity without the risk of long-term injury.
Momoa's endorsement of kettlebell exercises as a low-impact alternative that still provides a high level of fitness is presented as a positive adaptation to aging.
The author emphasizes that the need to change one's fitness routine should not be seen as an excuse to avoid exercise but rather as an opportunity to explore new, less harmful methods of staying fit.

Beefy action movie star revealed 1 harsh truth of staying fit at 45

Superhero movies are often dismissed as popcorn fluff, but playing a superhero on screen is no joke.

When you hear about the punishing diet and exercise routines that actors have to go through to get mutant fit for these roles, you can’t help but respect their toughness.

The issue they run into after playing these characters for a long time, however, is that while heroes never age in comic books, humans really start to break down as they get into their 40s.

Believe me, I know.

When I finally breached that decade, I was slammed with a bunch of injuries/health issues that took me a good year and a half to recover from.

From a nagging sports hernia to an MS scare that turned out to be herniated discs in my back to a seemingly endless string of aches and pains that sapped my energy and motivation to get to the gym, there was always something popping up to throw me off my fitness course.

After finally saying enough was enough, I made two key adjustments to stay off the shelf and in the gym:

I quit alcohol, which was destroying my sleep and thus my exercise recovery
I finally waved the white flag and started adjusting my workouts to my aging body.

Let’s talk about the latter, and about one beefy action star who just admitted to doing the same this week.

Time comes for us all, even the most muscular. (Credit: James Julian/Photoshop)

A hero taps the brakes

Now swimmers are known to have great bodies, but to pack on serious bulk, laps in the pool just aren’t enough.

Not even for Aquaman.

Jason Momoa, who plays the titular character of that particular superhero franchise, has always been one of the more jacked Hollywood leading men.

But time comes for us all and demands we adjust.

That’s why I was interested to read this week that the seemingly invincible behemoth is starting to dial things back.

Asked by Men’s Journal last week whether he was ready to quit heavy lifting for good, Momoa was charmingly introspective.

While he wasn’t ready to rule it out, he also knows he’s on borrowed time in terms of the heaviest of workouts.

The goal, he explained was to protect himself from over-exertion and injury:

“I’ll lift when I’m getting ready for a movie like this, usually with dumbbells and cable machines.

“But there are certain exercises I don’t think I’ll do again, like the flat bench. It just doesn’t make sense for me to do that anymore.

“I still get tempted from time to time to go max lift, and to add those extra two extra plates on.

“But that’s when I need to have a conversation with myself and make sure I don’t do something that’s going to do more damage than good.

“I’ve got a little more wisdom now. I’ve been through this dance for 45 years.”

This feels like a theme lately.

A few weeks ago I wrote about how actor Ryan Reynolds, who also plays a superhero in the movies (he’s Deadpool), has a penchant for pushing things too far physically sometimes.

He said:

“My body’s been pretty f**ked from years of stunts and being more competitive than my bones and ligaments had ambition for. I push things too far sometimes. I mean, I push things too far ALL the time. Moderation’s never really been my friend.”

This all makes sense to me.

Most people who reach the peak of fame in their particular craft are especially driven and competitive people who have a hard time pumping the brakes, whether it’s work, exercise, or whatever.

But while you can push your brain really hard well into old age, your body demands adjustments along the way.

It’s a bit humbling.

One of my favorite pastimes was playing hockey, but after I caught an edge, went shoulder-first into the boards at top speed, and suffered the aforementioned sports hernia, I’d had enough.

I just can’t do it anymore without getting hurt.

And that does suck, but at the end of the day, I’d rather be able to do something every day — whether it be my favorites like running, yoga, or bodyweight exercise at the gym — than potentially miss months in exchange for doing something a little more “fun”.

I didn’t feel right for a year after that hockey injury.

Here’s what Momoa said about that:

“Being injured is such a downer.

It’s such a drain, mentally, especially when you enjoy getting after it.

And it’s those memories of what it was like to be injured that keep me in check.”

Same here.

That doesn’t need to serve as an excuse for not working out, however. I wrote here about how I stay fit now.

Momoa has found kettlebells to be a great replacement exercise:

“The great thing about kettlebells is they torch the legs in a real way but also train everything else including the core, and they get you really strong.”

“Even when the weight is just a fraction of what you can actually lift.”

So take heart.

There are almost always options, even when Father Time taps you on the shoulder and says it’s time to dial it back.

Friends, thanks so much for reading! If you enjoyed this piece, please give it a clap or two so others can find it, and let me know in the comments!

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