He might not have the size of Dwayne Johnson or the athleticism of Chris Hemsworth, but Matthew McConaughey has quietly maintained an envious physique. The Oscar winner has spoken of his fitness regime, which is dominated by imaginative outdoor workouts.
Aged 56, McConaughey won the Oscar for “Best Actor” for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, and has since starred in Interstellar, Kubo and the Two Strings, and True Detective. The Hollywood star is no stranger to body transformations, losing over 20kg for Dallas Buyers Club and adding significant muscle mass for Magic Mike.
McConaughey is a keen runner, but his go-to workout is even simpler. It involves a dumbbell, kettlebell, or even just a rock. The actor then holds it for 15 minutes. There is a bit more to it, with the object moving from right arm to left arm high above his head.
The weight is then rested on his shoulders, which adds pressure on the back, followed by the legs. According to personal trainer Peter Park, “at the end of the 15 minutes, you’ve given yourself a full-body workout”.
This isn’t the program we had in mind for a multi-billionaire actor who has access to the best personal trainers and equipment. However, it’s perhaps not surprising given that McConaughey has always favored going against the grain.
McConaughey does mix things up a little, with two additional running workouts embedded into his program:
- Run & Press Ups
McConaughey runs one hour a day, with London’s Hyde Park his favorite spot. However, it’s not a 3 mile plod, as the Hollywood favorite likes to push himself to the limit. McConaughey spoke of how he likes to “run until I’m fatigued and dropping sweat”.
The Dazed and Confused actor completes 200 press-ups during runs, 20 or 30 at a time. This includes wide stance and close-hand variations to work both the triceps and chest.
- Sprint & Pull-Ups
The majority of McConaughey’s workouts take place in the open air. This is because “there are a lot of ways to be active outdoors. It’s more fun that way”. He favors equipment-free exercises, pull-ups using tree branches and garden sprints, for example.
Circuits are also a major reason for McConaughey’s consistency. Squats, lunges, and press-ups are among his favorites. These workouts normally end with a few miles on the bike, although this can be swapped by an easy run.
