14 DAY TRIAL // The first weeks of 2012 saw the release of the fourth “Underworld” film, called “Awakening.” Arguably, the film's strongest selling point was Kate Beckinsale in that famous leather catsuit – so here's how she got it.
Kate Beckinsale was never “fat” but, to get ready for the role, she had to put in the extra hours at the gym, her trainer Ramona Braganza reveals for Health & Fitness magazine.
She also went on a diet, by making sure she had food delivered on set and thus avoid the temptation of stuffing herself with unhealthy treats in the dead of night, in the middle of a scene.
The focus was, of course, to make Kate play a very believable Selene: a powerful vampire, who leaps on and from buildings, has immense force and can smash her enemies with one hand.
“To achieve this, we used my 3-2-1 training method, using cardio, circuits and core work. She also filmed outside in the cold, to boost her metabolism,” Braganza says for the fitness-oriented publication.
Each workout started with some yoga-inspired stretching, meant to help Kate get into the right mood: relaxed and ready to train hard.
From the get go, the actress told her trainer she wanted to focus on the lower part of her body – quite an understandable request if you think of the skin-tight leather pants she had to wear for the duration of the entire movie: they can be unforgiving on a less than perfect body.
“Kate works hard when she steps into the gym – we trained her full body, giving her legs and bum extra attention,” the trainer says.
After stretching, Kate would step inside the gym for strength training for 45 to 60 minutes. The session would end with some cardio.
It wasn't easy, but Beckinsale made sure she never complained, having made up her mind she wanted to be in top shape for the role.
“I’m always asking her if she 'feels it,' because she never moans. I love working with Kate, because she’s very refined and in control. She has a strong core from her yoga practice,” Braganza says.