Callina Liang is one of the stars of the new Street Fighter movie, and the Canadian actress has undergone a significant body transformation for the role of Chun-Li. Liang’s previous training was exclusive to pilates and cardio, but she has now added 2.5 inches to her legs to portray the first lady of fighting games.
Liang has credited her transformation to four exercises in particular, and the 26-year-old partook in regular strength training as part of her preparation for the action movie. Her schedule involved lifting three days a week, on top of two hours daily stunt training.
Hip Thrusts
Hip thrusts were the first exercise in Liang’s strength routine, which she performed using a Smith machine or specialist hip thrust machine when available. Five sets, two at a lighter weight and three at her heaviest weight, were completed, with the actress stating:
‘My hip thrust makes me feel the strongest. I can do double my body weight.”
This exercise wasn’t selected at random, with hip thrusts, along with hip abductions, helping her kicks to be more powerful and controlled during fight sequences.
Sumo Deadlifts
Sumo deadlifts are next, an exercise that isn’t superset with any other in Liang’s program. The actress performs six to eight reps per set, for three sets.
Cable Step-Ups/Squats
Continuing the heavy emphasis on legs, Liang finishes her session with cable step-ups, which are supersetted with squats or weighted back extensions.
Of course, nutrition was also key to Liang’s transformation. Her diet included 12 eggs per day, with Liang commenting:
“I sneak them into everything. If I’m making a protein shake, eggs in there. Oatmeal, eggs in there.”
In fact, scrambled eggs with ground meat, onions, and spinach, served on toast, was a dish enjoyed over and again by Liang.
Liang has certainly got the lifting bug, stating:
‘It’s really satisfying to see how much more I can lift as I progressively overload. I can’t stop. I just want more and more muscles.’
You can see Liang’s portrayal of Chun-Li in movie theatres now, which features the famous modified qipao, a Chinese dress with capped sleeves and two slits that show off her muscular legs.
