Aaron Taylor-Johnson has played many different roles in his young acting career from a marijuana grower in “Savages” to a certified badass in both “Kick-Ass” films. He has landed roles in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie and is currently filming for the next movie in the Avengers series, “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” The 23-year-old British actor weighed 175 pounds for “Kick-Ass 2,” already lean and muscular. For his starring role in the new “Godzilla” film though, Taylor-Johnson had to kick his training up a notch and pack on even more muscle to his already solid frame. To become brawnier, Taylor-Johnson upped his caloric intake, cut back on the cardio and started lifting heavy-ass weight. All of his hard training allowed him to get up to 190 pounds of rock-hard muscle for “Godzilla.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Godzilla Workout
Taylor-Johnson’s upper body workout, courtesy of “Men’s Health,” was performed three times per week allowing at least one rest day in between each session. None of his lifts were isolation movements, instead opting for compound exercises. Compound exercises recruit more muscles, burn more calories, simulate athletic movements, and allow you to lift heavier loads and build more strength.
Cable Crossover – 3 sets of 10 reps
The cable crossover primarily targets the pectoralis major, but also hits the core, back and arm muscles. Start by grabbing two opposing high pulley attachments. With your knees and hips slightly bent, bring the cables to the front of you in an arcing motion until your palms come together.
Dumbbell Bench Press – 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
The bench press is a good ole fashioned strength training exercise that hits your chest as well as the front of the shoulder, triceps and core. Sit down on a flat bench with two dumbbells at shoulder level. Using an overhand grip with palms facing your lower body, press the dumbbells up until your arms are fully extended. Slowly return them to the starting position and repeat.
Pull-Up – 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
Pull-ups are the ultimate test of relative strength. They hit the lats and a number of other core, anterior and posterior muscles. Grab a pull-up bar with an overhand grip with your hands slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Pull yourself up until your head is over the bar. Then slowly lower your body until your arms are fully extended and repeat.
Cable Pullover – 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
The cable pullover targets the lats and other muscles including triceps, biceps, rhomboids and pecs. Start by attaching a rope to the high pulley attachment. With your arms fully extended, lower your torso until it is nearly parallel with the floor. In an arcing motion, pull the rope toward your knees
Barbell Row -3-4 sets of 10-12 reps
The last exercise of Taylor-Johnson’s killer workout routine is a barbell blaster. Start by loading up the plates on each side of the barbell. This back exercise is performed with an overhand grip and the torso nearly parallel with the surface. With the barbell close to your body, pull it up to your midsection. Slowly lower it back to the starting position and repeat.