Somehow Tom Cruise has managed to escape our scrutiny, even though he is one of America’s biggest action heroes. He has made so many films that they are listed on their own page on Wikipedia. From roles as diverse as Risky Business (1983, yes, 30 years ago) to The Last Samurai to War of the World, and the Mission:Impossible series, he’s taken on many roles. However, all through his career he has been in excellent shape.
To look at him with his shirt on you’d think he is just an average guy. But, although Tom Cruise is no bodybuilder, he is in excellent shape. He has a well defined torso, relatively low body fat and is certainly fit. His small frame, being only 170cm (5 ft 7) tall means that he does not look like an action hero at first glance.
In Oblivion we see a bit more of Tom Cruise’s flesh than normal. There are plenty of action scenes with Jack Harper wearing very little.
The Making of Jack Harper
Tom Cruise got in shape by following exercises very similar to those which the CrossFit community do each week. Basic workouts incorporating bodyweight exercises, weight training and HIIT to burn fat, build muscle and get fit. His fitness instructor was Tom Dyer, who is British men’s fitness magazine model as well personal trainer.
Nutrition plays a big role in the transformation, with emphasis on protein and low GI carbs. Protein rotation is important according to Tom Dyer, so do not rely on a single protein source. Also for some days only eat vegetable proteins. Main protein sources are eggs, steaks, whey and healthy fats. Protein and fat for breakfast is vital.
For carbs is is all about lentils, beans and other low GI foods. Tom Dyer’s favorite exercise is the push up, but he also likes pull ups too – watch his video tutorial on Youtube.
Tom Dyer is co-0wner of Ultimate City Fitness in London, so if you want to train like Tom Cruise, head along and make an appointment with Tom.
Tom Cruise’s Workouts
So, what sort of workout did Tom Cruise do? Well, the nature of these types of workouts is that something different is done every day – in CrossFit they have set “WODs” (workout of the day) which cover a range of exercises. But ultimately, they each cover the main 3 areas of metabolic conditioning: Strength, Speed, Endurance.
Every workout should start with a warm up, so start with 5 minutes rowing, a 800 m jog or some skipping. Then perform the following routine:
- 20 Jumping jacks
- 20 high knees
- 10 air squats
- 10 walking lunges (2o steps)
The main workout will then work the muscles – for each exercise perform 3 sets of 10 reps:
- Deadlifts
- Push presses
- Chin ups
- Front squats
Pick a weight that challenges you for each set. As you get fitter and stronger increase the sets by one – performing 4 and then 5 sets, using the same weight. The goal here is the increase muscular endurance first, before attempted to bulk up muscles with heavier bodybuilding movements.
The workout may then finish with the “met-con” section (HIIT), which aims to raise heart rate and burn fat, while also improving fitness immensely.
- 400 m sprint
- 10 Box Jumps
- 10 Burpess
- 10 Kettlebell swings
Perform this routine 3-4 times, so you will be running for 1200-1600 m in total, and performing another 90-120 exercise reps.
What Is Oblivion?
Oblivion is set in the future after aliens have ravaged the Earth. Tom Cruise plays a type of security man who maintains drones. However, he soon ends up fighting on the front line against and unknown human enemy. It’s another of those mystery-sci-fi movies with twists and turns throughout. Who is Jack Harper? Where are they? We have not seen the film, so do not actually know anything more than the trailer told us!
“60 years ago the Earth was attacked; we won the war but lost the planet”.
I bet Jack Harper wins it back. Oblivion also features Olga Kurylenko, who was a bond girl in Quantum of Solace.
Photo credit: http://www.mtv.ca/live