Whether he is playing a tough biker in Sons of Anarchy or King Arthur in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming film Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur , Charlie Hunnam works hard to stay in tip top shape. For Hunnam, this doesn’t mean maintaining one look, but constantly adapting to whatever the role requires. With that in mind, what’s the secret to his success?
For starters, the Sons of Anarchy star explained to GQ that staying in shape isn’t easy. It takes dedication and a lot of work to maintain a buff look. While some may think actors have it easy in this department, Hunnam shared how he has to get workouts in despite an incredibly busy schedule.
While the actor was working on Sons of Anarchy , he landed a part in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim . However, the acclaimed director wanted Hunnam to work on his body because he needed Hunnam “to show up looking like a man capable of saving the world.”
In order to accomplish this, Hunnam had to up his game in the gym, all the while working long hours for Kurt Sutter. While he could have easily blamed del Toro for his added workload, Hunnam placed the blame solely on the shoulders of Brad Pitt.
“I thought, “Aw, f***” because you know, f***ing Brad Pitt ruined it for everyone. After Fight Club, the expectation of what a dude is supposed to look like when he takes is shirt off is just so high,” Hunnam explained in the interview. “So I said ‘I’ll try and make it happen.’ So I shot 14-15 hours a day on Sons, then I would go the gym for two and half hours every day after work.”
Speaking of his workout schedule, Charlie Hunnam went on to reveal that he gets annoyed when people discredit the hard work actors put in to appear fit on screen. This especially true considering the amount of hours Hunnam puts into his craft every day.
“I work 15 hours a day and still go to the gym. Most people work eight hours a day and say ‘I haven’t got time to work out,’ Hunnam shared. “Bulls***! If you want to be super-fit and look ripped then you find the time no matter what.”
While he does take time out of his schedule to ensure a good workout, Hunnam told People that his workouts for Knights of the Roundtable were slightly different. Instead of spending hours in the gym, Hunnam managed to get in and out in about an hour.
“I go into the gym and do 75 pull-ups, 75 dips, 150 squats, 150 pushups, and then 20 minutes of ab work,” he stated. “I work out more for the mental than the physical aspect.”
According to Celebrity Health Fitness , Hunnam’s upcoming role as King Arthur will be different than anything that has been done before. In fact, fans can expect a completely reinvented hero whom Hunnam described as being “properly badass.”
Along with being a “badass,” Ritchie’s version of Arthur introduces the character as a young man who grew up on the streets of London. In contrast to the classic tale, Hunnam’s Arthur has certain gritty element to him.
Luckily for Hunnam, his past role as Jax Teller on Sons of Anarchy makes him a perfect fit for the edgier version of King Arthur. With that actor certainly not lacking anything the physical department, his portrayal of the English legend is definitely something fans will not want to miss.
Fans can watch Hunnam showing off his ripped body when Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur premieres in theaters February 17, 2017.
Tell us! What do you think about Charlie Hunnam’s fitness routine? Let us know in the comments below.
[Image via FX/ Sons of Anarchy/ Instagram]