Joseph
Tyler Hoechlin had a very justified idea when he learned that he had stumbled upon the role of Superman in The CW’s Superman and Lewis (Which has just been renewed for a second season).
Says Hoechlin, who was originally scheduled to do only a two-episode mission in Super girl. That was four years ago, and the actor had been putting himself in personal training camp for every appearance ever since, drawing on past coaching experiences and his days as a baseball player. “I’ve learned a lot over the years, and I’m always looking to get better.”
Now stepping into the spotlight with his own series, Superman and Lewis, Hoechlin has had a lot of reasons to ramp up his regimen. And it comes out of his portrayal of bodybuilder Joe Weider LargerThere was a lot of groundwork in place. We chatted with realist Clark Kent from his Vancouver group about getting the role first, the keto diet and workouts that get him to take on the shape of a tough guy.
Men’s magazine: How did you first discover that you might play Superman?
Tyler Huchlin: This goes back to 2016. They just announced Superman will be appearing in Super girl. But the meeting was actually Superman. They asked if I would care, and I was. It was probably about a week later – I was on my way back from a road trip with my brother to Zion National Park in Utah – when I got a call saying I had it. I turned to my brother and said, “I think we should stop in Vegas.” We celebrated sitting in a sportsbook to hunt warriors against Team Cavaliers. My brother turned towards me at one point and said, “So, are you Superman now?” And I said: I think? It was a very surreal moment. It still looks surreal. But it was a joy and a privilege.
How familiar were you with the character and previous portrayals of him at that time?
I was familiar with Superman in the broadest sense of pop culture before the show. You’ll see people wearing Superman shirts and a lot of the athletes you looked at had tattoos. My focus during my early years was primarily on baseball, which I played competitively throughout school. I was acting at the same time, so these two took a lot of my time. I didn’t take a deep dive or anything when I got the role either. Instead, I made a conscious decision not to watch any of the other movies or shows. I am glad that since day one we have had a very unique feeling about the program. I feel like I really know who this super man is, and I don’t want anything to hold me back from seeing him so clearly as I do now.
Strength is elemental, but what kind of physique do you want on screen?
There are images that come to mind when you think of Superman, especially from the comics. This is a projection of power. I wanted to look strong, but I also had to bear in mind that he is a man of steel. He is not the largest man in the world, or the largest man in the world. There is energy, and power comes from the sun. It’s not just the size of a man, but the strength comes from within. I don’t have to actually look like I can throw a locomotive – and thank God, because I’m not sure what that might take.
Have you worked with any coaches in particular to prepare?
I’ve worked with a lot of great coaches over the years, and I’ve learned a lot from them. She retained a lot of that knowledge. Personally, I would love to train with a coach at the moment, but it just isn’t possible. I’m lucky to have enough programming and concepts that I can rely on during this time, and I don’t feel like I’m shorting myself. My companion David Boyer It helped me a lot over the years. Gregg Honey He is another great coach that I worked with that day. The lessons they taught me served me well during this time.
What’s your mindset when you go to the gym to train for Superman?
Being a former athlete, I enjoy a good challenge, and this is how I saw training for the role. I love having that extra incentive to get into the gym, even after working crazy hours. I make it, no matter early in the morning or late at night. I enjoy this part of the process. I really credit the baseball coaches for pushing me to the next level. They taught me to find that extra effort when you completely clog and feel like you have nothing left. This is what I carry in my work now. If we had an epic day on set and felt wiped out, I would find that little bit in the tank that would take me through the workout. I remember my coach telling me, ‘This is when everyone gives up.’ And that’s all I need to hear to get over the burnout point. You also learn that when you see results – when you see it comes back.
How far did you start the role training? How do you create your own training plan?
I always train, but I had about a year to prepare for this. I decided to spend that time leaning back as much as I could. Once I got there, I worked hard to put in as much muscle as possible. I know some people do this the other way, bulking and then contracting, but this works for me. I realized that what really translates best on screen are those lines and cuts. Back when I was doing The Teen WolfI had a friend, who might have weighed over 40 pounds, but on screen we looked the same size. So my focus has shifted since learning that.
What types of exercises do you use the most during this training?
I usually do HIIT exercises, and I really enjoy the super workouts. I find myself returning to the shows I did with David Buer. I am going to disassemble the body parts, doing the chest muscles, the triceps or back, and the biceps. I’ll do my leg work another day. I have some injuries from my days playing baseball, so I really can’t do traditional cardio exercises like running on a treadmill, so I try to raise my heart by maintaining the maximum effort of a high-intensity workout.
I feel like Superman always has a huge chest. How did you handle that in training?
I cannot overstate how important the tilt chest press is to the regime. A flat seat is fine, but if you really want that chunky chest, you need that slope. I would probably do this more than any other chest exercise. It comes from years of not knowing the extent of its effect, and then someone just opened my eyes to it. I also really wanted shoulder width, which means getting into some delta raises. The back is very important too. If you want to look like you have a wide chest, you need a big back. I ended up doing so many rows, pulling back, and you can’t go wrong with the deadlift. The deadlift takes me back to my ball playing days. It’s not just about looking good. I actually want to feel powerful. Deadlift does it for me.
What is your diet now?
Diet is a big part of it, and there are still some people who still ignore this ingredient. I have been in ketosis for nearly three years at this point. I also reduced drinking a lot, but not completely. Between these two steps, I’m really putting myself in the right direction. Be aware of the calories you eat and make sure they align with your goals. During the cool-down process, I’ll fast intermittently, and not have my first real meal until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. When I swell up, I’ll start eating right away, and I usually have a keto bar shortly after waking up.
Do you drink coffee or consume any protein shakes?
I would actually like to start my day with a cold brew coffee protein shake with Coconut Milk from Calvia Farms, Dymatize ISO Protein Powder, MCT Oil Powder, and Lily’s Dark Cocoa Flakes. Mix it and I am good to go. It’s my way to hack the blended coffee drinks I’ve loved but have 80 grams of sugar. This way I can enjoy myself and feel good about it.
What do your meals look like?
Everything is very natural – high-quality protein with non-starchy vegetables. Mornings can be pretty big with eggs, cheese, and bacon. Over the past three years, the way I eat has taken me so far, and I don’t feel like I need to drastically change anything. I recently sent my diet to a dietitian working with the Vancouver Canucks for his general ideas. Perhaps there are things that I should adjust in the long term. I look forward to receiving these comments – but so far, so good. Peanut butter and avocado are some very strange snacks that I enjoy. It is the staple I go for. I love avocado on its own, but mixing it with peanut butter is what really takes it to the next level for me. I know it’s weird, but I love it.
Are there any scenes in Superman and Lewis Did you feel that you needed to train specifically for?
Not right. I want to make sure that I look like the guy all the time. I haven’t gotten any shirtless scenes yet, but I can guarantee you, if and when that moment comes, I’ll order it. I’ll be ready.
What do you enjoy playing Superman the most?
It’s weird. Playing the character in other shows in the universe, and appearing, it always felt like playing Superman. But now with that show, it looks like this user Superman. I like to have this show about family. I am not married and have no children, but it is something that I definitely want in my future. I think it’s a particularly strong message at this time. This is Clark Kent as a father who happens to be Superman.
Superman and Lewis Ambiance on the CW and on The CW application
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