14 DAY TRIAL // Joe Manganiello is impressively built and, as he explains in his new interview with Men’s Health, looking this ripped is a full-time job. His role model is Arnold Schwarzenegger, so that should explain his dedication to staying in excellent shape.
Manganiello, known mostly for his roles on “True Blood” and “Magic Mike,” will be seen next on the big screen in “Sabotage,” in which he stars opposite Schwarzenegger – or Arnie, as he affectionately calls him in the aforementioned interview.
Besides posing for the magazine for a spread that will leave no room for doubt as to how fit he is, Joe also talks a bit about his workout routine and how he has to adapt it to the project he’s working on.
“My first season on True Blood was about cutting down my mass – getting more ripped. Then it was more about leveling out the physical symmetry,” he explains.
“When making the film with Schwarzenegger, I went through a powerlifting phase – I put on 9kg [19.8 pounds], so my bodyweight was up to 113kg [249.1 pounds]. Now, I want to be a great athlete. It’s about becoming stronger, fitter and faster,” Joe continues.
He was happy to make the change because, after all, he got to work with an actor he’d grown up admiring. That in itself is not something too many people can boast of.
“Arnie was a hero to me. He’s the reason why every guy of our generation started going to the gym. To film with him for four months was awesome. And he still trains every morning,” Joe explains.
He also says that Schwarzenegger even helped him out with tips on how to pose.
“We had a photoshoot for the movie poster. I was wearing a sleeveless top, crossing my arms and flexing. Arnold came in and said, ‘I see you’re flexing your biceps. Don’t do that. Keep it loose and with crossed arms put the other hand back to push the muscle forward – you’ll get an extra three inches’,” he adds.
“Sabotage” will be out in January 2014.