Summary

TheDCEUhad a tumultuous test since 2013’sMan of Steel , but Henry Cavill ’s commitment to the purpose ofSupermanonly seems to age well with clip . Before making his DCEU debut , Cavill had starred in only a fistful of films , like the Greek mythological epicImmortalsand the fantasy adventureStardust . But Zack Snyder’sMan of Steeland the subsequentDCEU moviesturned him into a household name , winning over many a Superman buff . David Corenswet might be the new Man of Tomorrow inJames Gunn ’s Superman reboot , but audience wo n’t block Cavill ’s execution anytime soon .

Apart from enamour the Kryptonian hero ’s compassion and optimism , Cavill also explore the character ’s from time to time rash nature . This is what set him asunder from otherlive - action Superman actors . Along with his dramatic prowess , Cavill also gave his all physically . Cavill ’s intense workouts and attempts at bulking up made the DCEU Superman a real tour de force in the franchise ’s action chronological sequence , from his fast - pace duels with Zod and Batman to his one - man battle against the entire Justice League . After more than a decade , the British actor ’s physical committedness to the part makes his take on Superman all the more convincing .

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Henry Cavill’s Superman Movie Workout Routine Explained

A Lot Of Heavy Lifting And Increased Calories Led To Some Personal Best Records

Before bag the lead office in Man of Steel , Henry Cavill presented a lean torso frame forImmortals . To portray the ancient Grecian hero sandwich Theseus , the 6’1 ’’ role player count 170 pound and was required to bulge up more to act Superman . Gym flight simulator Mark Twight , who previously worked with Zack Snyder on300 , was leash in as Cavill ’s flight simulator . Before setting his dieting and workout regime , Twight made a non - negotiable understanding with Cavill to get a minimum of ten hours of sleep every night(viaMuscle and Fitness).Deadlifts , front - and - back squats , and kettlebell swing were included in his daily workouts .

Mark Twight is also the founding father of the Salt Lake City - establish Gym Jones where he train Cavill fromMan of SteeltoJustice League .

A behind - the - scenes video fromFlashback FilmMakingalso let on howCavill would often do puff - ups and lift weights between takes(sometimes in his costume ) . To make his deal - to - hand fighting seem more natural , Cavill also sparred with his gym trainer . Before filming commenced , Cavill increased his calorie enumeration to 5,000 - 6,000 calories daily . Later , he cut this phthisis by half and began strike swooning supplements like multivitamins and substantive fatty acids . Cavill ’s initial deadlift was less than 300 pound , but he afterwards achieved a record of 435 . Morenotable highlights included a 245 - pound push mechanical press and a 365 - pound back squat .

David Corenswer and Superman from a DC Comic

What Henry Cavill Has Said About His DCEU Superman Movie Workout Routine

Cavill’s Workout Made Him Feel Literally Like Superman

Much like Christopher Reeve before him , Henry Cavill refuse the cheat trickof using steroids to get in shape as Superman . right on from the beginning of his training , Cavill made it clear that he desire to establish his superhero trunk in the “ old schoolhouse way . ” As he toldUSA Today , the actor felt that taking a shortcut like sex hormone or Human Growth Hormone ( HGH ) “ is not what Superman represents . ”Much like how Clark Kent observe his Kryptonian powers , Muscle and Fitnesscovered a particular moment from his physical exertion when Cavill felt that he had garner his right to play Superman .

David Corenswet has formally been cast as Clark Kent in the DCU ’s Superman : Legacy , go many to inquire about his vocation up to this point .

This was when Cavill was polish off the final repp of his net Seth of front squats of the day . But the stock from the 305 - pound barbell on his shoulders froze his leg . With his human knee turn inwards , Twight thought that Cavill was ready to give up and dump the barroom off his berm . But somehow , Cavill regained his stance and finished the set . To put it in his words,“It was n’t because of the number that I felt sound . It ’s because I agitate past what I recollect was potential … I felt like I earned the right to assay and represent Superman . ”

The Thunderbolts looking into the camera in a promotional image for Thunderbolts

How Long Did Henry Cavill Workout For His Superman Movie Role?

A Few Months And Sporadic Weekly Workouts Helped Cavill

While his workouts forBatman v Elvis : Dawn of JusticeandJustice Leaguecoincided with his preparation for other project like Netflix’sThe Witcher , the most Superman - focused workouts were forMan of Steel . Cavill began figure out out before cinematography commence , andMen ’s Healthreports thathis grueling aggregate - construction journey under Mark Twight lasted six month . Cavill dedicate numerous hours to five - day workouts . According toMuscle & Fitness , the days eventually begin fluctuate . So , five days wrick into two / three - sidereal day workouts as film commenced . But consider Cavill had build a potent base already , the thespian could still keep his telling , all - lifelike physique .

While manysubtle point made Henry Cavill ’s Superman perfective tense , Zack Snyder was keen on make his interlingual rendition of Superman brawny right from the beginning . So , Cavill does n’t just look buff in costume but also when he ’s Clark Kent . Much like his Spartan heroes in300 , Snyder was keen on featuring Cavill in shirtless scenes to represent his brutish force . With Snyder shooting two such scenes over three weeks , Cavill was demand to achieve and maintain the “ vizor form ” of his upper trunk for these three hebdomad . The six - month grooming in the end pay off with Cavil displaying impeccable phase as DCEU ’s Superman .

How Henry Cavill’s Superman Movie Workout Role Is Different To Other Actors

No Superman Has Looked This Buff

Henry Cavill ’s DCEU Superman stands out for being the bulkiest on - CRT screen version of the grapheme . While it ’s too presently to compare Cavill ’s physical form with that of David Corenswet ( who has currently been training in the gym and is still filming James Gunn ’s Superman ) , theMan of Steelactor ’s physical shift and bulk - up body stack is greater than that of other live - natural action Superman doer like Brandon Routh inSuperman Returnsand Christopher Reeve in 1978’sSupermanand its subsequent sequels . Routh ’s retro - inspired version of theDChero was lean in physique also becauseSuperman Returnsdirectly followed Christopher Reeve ’s movies .

Notably , Christopher Reeve had also built significant body muscularity through a natural fitness regimen . Butconsidering Reeve ’s Superman debut in the 1970s , achieving washboard abs and larger biceps was n’t the average for heroes back then . In a 1998 interview withAbility Magazine , the lateSupermanactor revealed that he increased his body weight by 30 lbs . Interestingly , Cavill ’s weight gain was similar as he shifted from hisImmortalsphysique of 170 - 175 lb to 200 - 205 pound in six calendar month . Butit ’s Cavill ’s shoulder - to - waistline ratio and chest size that made him the strongest - look Superman , a upshot of his grueling and consistent workouts .

Upcoming DC Movies

Henry Cavill lifting a statue in Justice League and smiling while wearing a Superman costume

Custom Image by Shaurya Thapa

Release Date

turkey : Folie à Deux

October 4 , 2024

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July 11 , 2025

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Henry Cavill topless and looking sideways as Clark Kent in Man of Steel

October 2 , 2026

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DC Extended Universe