Get Pumped With Adam Rodriguez
The muscles Adam shows off in Magic Mike were not, of course, effortless. In fact, he had to get into the best shape of his life before filming the first movie, with just six weeks to do it. That, Adam says, was a crash course in self-control and discipline. So when Magic Mike XXL came calling, the star knew exactly what he had to do.
“I had to get back on that bandwagon. It’s tough because drinking and eating out are a big part of your social life. So when you take on such a big commitment, it’s got to be a major lifestyle change,” notes Adam. “The hardest part is getting started; making that decision that today is the day.”
That lifestyle change started with five hours in the gym per day. Cardio, weights and intense abdominal moves make up Adam’s extreme workout. Five hours in the gym might seem crazy to the average 9-to-5er, but for Adam it’s literally all in a day’s work.
“It’s really about how committed you are to the role. The rest of the guys [in Magic Mike XXL] are hitting the gym crazy too. You don’t want to be the one falling behind. It’s about setting a goal and sticking to it, no matter the price.”
In addition to loads of cardio and weight training, Adam had to make major changes to his diet. A self-proclaimed “foodie,” he made careful choices about every single piece of food he put in his mouth. There were no cheat days or “I’ll just have one” concessions. An extreme case of self-control, sure, but one he insists feels more like a lifestyle change rather than a restriction. It’s all in the way you frame it.
Story by Kelly Adams
Photography by Danny Smith
