Chris Pratt Turns 43 Today and Here's How He Stays Ripped

Chris Pratt has been in countless blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Dominion, and more after getting his start as goofy Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation. In his spare time, he spends a lot of time at the gym. Clearly. How does he stay so ripped? Read on to see 5 ways Chris Pratt stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. He Stopped Drinking

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Chris focused hard on his diet and decided to stop drinking while training. He swapped out a pint of beer for a plate full of chicken and broccoli. Cutting out drinking allows him to focus on working out and healthy eating without the empty wasted calories.

2. He Eased Into Training

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He worked his way up in the gym. “To begin with, it was let’s train every other day, with some days off,” said former Navy Seal and celebrity trainer PT Duffy Gaver. “After all, you don’t get fit in the gym, you just get beat up in the gym. You get fit recovering in bed and at your dinner table.”

3. He Did Strength Training And Floor Exercises

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After a quick warm-up to get his heart pumping and blood flowing, Chris would move into high intensity interval training and a lot of burpee reps.

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4. He Did HIIT

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With very little breaks as part of the workout routine, Chris would essentially bodybuild. Weightlifting, combined with high intensity interval training and the right diet is what led Chris to have a muscular, ripped body.

5. He Was Committed

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His dedication paid off. “I think Chris’s body at the time was working for the type of actor he was, but it was time for a change,” Gaver said. “I’m extremely proud of the work I did with Chris because it took him from being a character actor of sorts to being a leading man. And a really highly sought-after leading man.” According to the Mayo Clinic, having a growth mindset can be more beneficial than people think. “Folks with this outlook understand that they can develop their abilities and adapt them to different situations.They know mistakes are inevitable, which helps them recover more quickly from setbacks.”

Paul Rudd has accomplished a lot in his life. His most recent achievement? Being named People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2021. And it’s well-deserved. Despite being in his 50’s, he still looks the exact same way he did when he starred in Clueless and played Phoebe's love interest on Friends. Read on to see 5 ways Paul Rudd stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. He’s Committed to His Diet

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When Rudd joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the superhero Ant-Man, he had to get in shape. Rudd tells Variety that he was extremely committed to his healthy lifestyle while preparing for the film. “I took the Chris Pratt approach to training for an action movie. Eliminate anything fun for a year and then you can play a hero,” he says.

2. He Works Out Daily

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Another part of Rudd’s Ant-Man preparation was working out everyday. Rudd said that he worked hard to make fitness a regular thing. “My day was centered around fitness and health, and that was kind of a first,” he tells People. “Every other time, I had to go about my day and try and find the time to work out. But [this time] everything else about my day kind of had to fit in around the workouts. I was going to be held accountable for it, and there was a reason for doing it. I wasn’t just randomly doing this kind of arbitrarily, which would have made it a lot harder.”

3. He Wears Sunscreen

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Rudd is known for looking the same way for decades, and a big part of it is his skin. "I am a big believer in sunscreen," he tells InStyle. "I'm not one for tanning. I used to be, back when I was rocking the Depeche Mode look. Honestly, I wear sunscreen not to prevent wrinkles but because I don't want to get skin cancer."

4. He Worked With A Trainer

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When preparing for his role in Ant-Man Rudd worked with trainer Brendan Johnston to get in shape. Johnston tells Muscle & Fitness that he saw a huge transformation with the actor. “He was much more athletic,” Johnston says. “Stronger, faster, and agile. He didn’t want to just look like a superhero. He had to move, run, jump, and fight like one, as well.”

5. He Eliminated Things From His Diet

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Rudd’s diet for Ant-Man involved taking things out of his everyday diet, and he admits that it really helped him. He tells AARP, “I started training and eating like an athlete: no sugar, no alcohol, just proteins and vegetables. I really loved it. It was a complete change of life that took me by surprise. I did not think living such a healthy lifestyle would be as fulfilling.”

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt shows off his jacked physique in Prime Video’s new action revenge series The Terminal List, which dropped its first full season in July. From Guardians to the Jurassic World series, the former Parks and Recreation star has moved beyond the doughy physicality of Andy Dwyer and toward the look of his famous father-in-law, Arnold Schwarzenegger. How does he stay so fit? Read on to see five ways Chris Pratt stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. He Stopped Drinking

Shutterstock

Pratt focused hard on his diet and stopped drinking while training. He swapped out a pint of beer for a plate full of chicken and broccoli. Cutting out drinking allowed him to focus on working out and eating healthy without empty calories.

2. He Eased Into Training

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Pratt worked his way up in the gym. “To begin with, it was let’s train every other day, with some days off,” said former Navy SEAL and celebrity trainer P.T. Duffy Gaver. “After all, you don’t get fit in the gym, you just get beat up in the gym. You get fit recovering in bed and at your dinner table.”

3. He Did Strength Training And Floor Exercises

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

After a quick warmup to get his heart pumping and blood flowing, Pratt engaged in high-intensity interval training and a lot of burpee reps. "When it comes to workout efficiency, HIIT is especially attractive in that it does not require a large amount of time to reap the benefits. HIIT workouts typically last 20-30 minutes and are extremely effective as long as the intensity level is high. From both a psychological and physiological perspective, it is easier to maintain a high level intensity for a brief period of time than it is over a longer period of time, greater than 30 minutes," says ACE Fitness.

4. He Did A Lot Of Weight Training

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Pratt did bodybuilding with few breaks and weightlifting combined with high-intensity interval training and the right diet. That’s what gave him his ripped body. "Weight training is a type of strength training that uses weights for resistance. Weight training provides a stress to the muscles that causes them to adapt and get stronger, similar to the way aerobic conditioning strengthens your heart," says the Mayo Clinic. "Weight training can be performed with free weights, such as barbells and dumbbells, or by using weight machines. You can also increase your strength through other types of resistance exercises, such as by using your body weight or resistance bands."

5. He Was Committed

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Dedication paid off. “I think Chris’s body at the time was working for the type of actor he was, but it was time for a change,” Gaver said. “I’m extremely proud of the work I did with Chris because it took him from being a character actor of sorts to being a leading man. And a really highly sought-after leading man.” Having a growth mindset can be more beneficial than people think, according to the Mayo Clinic: “Folks with this outlook understand that they can develop their abilities and adapt them to different situations. They know mistakes are inevitable, which helps them recover more quickly from setbacks.”

From the mighty Asgardian to the gritty streets of Gotham, these male stars have captured hearts and screens with their stunning physiques. Discover the secrets behind their jaw-dropping transformations as we delve into the intense regimens and dietary choices that have sculpted their bodies into works of art. From Chris Hemsworth's strategic meals to Dwayne Johnson's versatile workouts, and Hugh Jackman's commitment to the old-school way, these leading men share their fitness journeys. Unveil how dedication, discipline, and expert guidance turned actors into real-life superheroes, showcasing their awe-inspiring evolution both on and off the silver screen.

1. Chris Hemsworth

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Chris Hemsworth works with trainer Luke Zocchi to prepare for his role as Thor in different Marvel films. Zocchi talked about the actor’s diet and exercise in an interview with Page Six. “When we go into prep for movies like ‘Thor,’ it’s a massive increase in food,” Zocchi said. “He eats, like, six to eight meals a day. We’ve kind of got a structure. He found if he eats a really big meal he, like, feels too heavy, so they’re 450-calorie meals broken up into the eight. We try to eat every two hours and getting 450 calories in [each time].”

2. Dwayne Johnson

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For a lot of his roles, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has to be in good shape. His trainer, Dave Rienzi broke down how Johnson prepped for his role in Black Adam to GQ. “We tweak his training depending on the challenge or project, but for DJ, training is always six days a week, and we do strength and cardio each day. The Black Adam training process was chest and triceps, back and biceps, shoulders, arms, then chest and back – one of those groups a day – but focused on getting lots of blood into the muscle as opposed to training really heavy. Day six is normally on Sunday, so there's a day off beforehand, and that'll be leg day. We specifically planned a leg workout on the weekend because it's away from his working week so that he can recover without it impacting his job. Imagine going from a killer leg workout into 12 hours of filming? It wouldn’t work. A leg session these days can be something like: leg press, hack squat, chain lunges, 100 lbs dumbbell sumo squat, with no rest between them. Typically there’s a negative hold for three seconds and one-second pause at the bottom on something like the sumo squat. We use a lot of negatives.”

3. Jason Momoa

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Jason Momoa works with trainer Damien Viera to help him star in films like Aquaman. Viera opened up about Momoa’s diet in an interview with Men’s Journal. He says that the actor doesn’t believe in cutting carbs. “Jason couldn’t do something like a ketogenic diet, because he needs readily charged energy from carbs to be explosive. And when I say carbs, I’m not talking about breads and pastas—those are long gone. I’m talking about cruciferous vegetables and fruits. You can’t train the way we do with fat for fuel; you need the carbs for explosive movements.”

4. Zac Efron

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Patrick Murphy trained a lot of the stars of the film adaptation of Baywatch, including Zac Efron. Murphy talked about what he did with Efron and his castmates to Men’s Journal. “With Zac, I helped him create positive adaptations for perfect posture and alignment, all the while going through a very high-intensity program. I also plan ahead. I consider what type of supersets I’m slating for every workout. With Zac, it was ever-changing. I trained him for several months, and he never went through the same exact workout twice. That's how you avoid plateaus. I saw him daily, too, so it was amazing what happened.”

5. Hugh Jackman

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In an interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace, Hugh Jackman talked about how he got in shape to play Wolverine. He says that he made sure to not take steroids and eat a healthy diet. “I got to be careful what I say here, but I had been told anecdotally what the side effects are of that. And I was like, ‘I don’t love it that much.’ So no, I just did it the old school way. And I tell you, I’ve eaten more chickens — I’m so sorry to all the vegans and vegetarians and to the chickens of the world. Literally the karma is not good for me. If the deity has anything related to chickens, I’m in trouble.”

6. Chris Pratt

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Chris Pratt made a massive transition career-wise in 2014, when he shifted from playing Andy Dwyer on Parks & Recreation, to starring in action films like Guardians of The Galaxy and Jurassic World. Pratt also had a massive physical transformation for these roles. He started working with Jared Shaw to help him achieve this. Shaw talked about working with Pratt to Men’s Journal. “Chris was still doing Parks and Recreation at that time and not in the shape he is today,” says Shaw. “I was supposed to work with him and a few other guys, but because he was just starting this journey I ended up spending a lot more time with Chris.”

7. Henry Cavill

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Henry Cavill is best-known for playing Superman in the DC films and for appearing in Enola Holmes and The Witcher. “I've been very fortunate over my career to have pros guiding me,” he told GQ. “As useful as that has been when it comes to physical results and how the body looks when I'm taking my shirt off on camera or whatever the case may be, it does certainly hinder my growth in knowledge. And so over the past couple of years, I've been trying to quiz my trainer, Dave Rienzi, more and more about the why of everything. ‘Why is that going in? Why this rather than that? Aren't they both carbohydrates? Why this protein versus that protein? What does it mean when you do this before or afterwards?’ And so my journey is still very much in process.”

8. Michael B. Jordan

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Michael B. Jordan is best known for his roles in the Creed films and as Killmonger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Naturally, he’s got to be in good shape for these roles. Jordan talked about how he dieted for Creed on Good Morning America. “I stripped down my diet completely. Grilled chicken, brown rice, broccoli, a lot of water. I worked out two to three times a day, six days a week. And if you do that consistently for about 10 months, your body will change.”

9. Ryan Reynolds

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Ryan Reynolds has played two superheroes in his career: The Green Lantern in 2011, and Deadpool since 2016. To prepare for the latter role, Reynolds works with Don Saladino. In this post from Saladino’s Instagram, Reynolds is seen lifting weights in the gym. Saladino captioned the post, “Deadpool 3 training in full effect.”

10. Gerard Butler

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Gerard Butler made sure to get in shape for his role in the film 300. Butler talked about the process in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “That was the best shape I have ever been in in my life. In some ways I was ruining my body, but I was looking amazing doing it.”

Butler said that he worked out six hours each day, and did bodybuilding, fighting, and CrossFit.

11. Mark Wahlburg

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Mark Wahlburg opened up about his wellness in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. “Getting the right amount of rest, really staying focused. My spirituality, my faith has got to be the center of it all.” Wahlburg also opened up about his new plan. “I don't have to do as much cardio, I don't have to spend as much time in the gym and I feel like I am getting better results.”

12. Vin Diesel

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Vin Diesel is in great shape. One of his secrets? Making sure he still enjoys exercising. “I work out less and enjoy it more these days,” Diesel admits to Men’s Health. “It’s a time in my week where I don’t have to juggle things. I can just exercise and be present."

13. Terry Crews

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Terry Crews is known for his impressive figure. Not only did he used to play football, he also played the muscular Terry Jeffords on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Crews opened up about fitness in this video for Men’s Journal. “Fitness is one of the most important things in my life. I do not start my day until I have my workout on.”

14. Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for several roles, particularly his role as the Terminator. He talked about his fitness secrets to The Hollywood Reporter. “We all know the rules of life: Hardship and struggle makes you stronger. So I always look forward to discomfort. Why do I go skiing in Aspen for three days in high altitude that wipes you out? Because it’s tough to do, especially at my age. Everyone is talking about their feelings. That’s OK if that’s how you want to occupy yourself. How I feel is irrelevant. I don’t give a fuck how I feel. What I care about is: ‘What can I do to make it better?’ Sometimes I get out of bed and feel shitty. But I get on a bike or go feed the animals and suddenly I feel great.”

15. Keanu Reeves

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Keanu Reeves is known for playing the title character in the John Wick franchise. Reeves’ trainer, Patrick Murphy, talked about working with the actor to GQ. “I’ve trained talent for 25 years,” says Murphy. “Keanu is second to none when it comes to focus and effort for a physical role. He 110% gives it his all, day in and day out. It’s one of the many reasons why he is respected by so many who work with him.”

16. Idris Elba

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Idris Elba opened up about his workout secrets to Men’s Journal. He says that he likes to kickbox when he can. "I'm not really allowed to do it while I'm working because it's considered too dangerous," he says. "Film producers get very nervous…"I'm not really fussy. I just need a couple of speed bags."

17. Dave Bautista

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Dave Bautista talked about how he got in shape for Guardians of The Galaxy, Vol. 2 to Muscle and Fitness. “With Drax always being shirtless, there’s no room to hide any fat,” says Bautista. “I really focused on being in better shape and more muscular. I still do a lot of cross training, a lot of boxing and grappling. But I did gear a lot of my training toward weights this past year.”

18. Bradley Cooper

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On an episode of the SmartLess podcast, Bradley Cooper talked about how Will Arnett helped him overcome addiction. "I was so lost, and I was addicted to cocaine," he recalled. “Will is the reason (I overcame it). He took the risk of having that hard conversation with me in July of 2004, and that put me on a path of deciding to change my life."

19. John Cena

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John Cena talked about the difference between wrestling and doing his stunts in Peacemaker to People. “Movie coordinator stunt performers are massive amounts of repetition not only through practice, but through performance as well. Whereas you can practice your craft in WWE, but once you're out there live, it happens once and there really is no wrong. It just is. There's also no enormous, energetic, unbelievable crowd cheering you on as you do all this stuff and it has to be done from many angles and many perspectives.”

20. Ben Affleck

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Ben Affleck talked about his struggles with Imposter Syndrome to Complex. “What I’ve discovered is that the idea that outside approbation or approval is going to fill the place in you that is anxious or wanting or feels like it has something to prove. It doesn’t actually do it, strangely enough. You have these moments that are supposed to create that feeling in you and I think one finds that it generally doesn’t. It’s not lasting, that the things that last in life are not the totems or trophies or ribbons.”