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CELEBRITY WORKOUT ROUTINES

What Famous People Actually Do at the Gym

We obtained the leaked workout routines of 30 celebrities. The Rock trains for 4+ hours without breaks. Tom Cruise spots himself. Warren Buffett's entire workout is walking to the fridge. Elon Musk claims he invented a new form of exercise. It's just lifting weights.

“These documents were never meant to be seen by the public. We obtained them through a combination of investigative journalism, social engineering, and finding a USB drive in a Gold's Gym parking lot.”

29
Routines Leaked
127
Exercises Documented
0
Celebrities Consulted
100%
Satirical

How We Got These

Every celebrity has a workout routine they swear by. Some of them are public -- The Rock posts his 3:30 AM gym sessions on Instagram. Mark Wahlberg published a daily schedule that starts at 2:30 AM. LeBron James reportedly spends $1.5 million per year on body maintenance.

But what about the routines that were never meant to be seen? The trainer notes. The personal records that defy physics. The gym playlists that reveal more about a celebrity's soul than any interview ever could.

We found them. All of them. On a USB drive. In a parking lot. Next to a protein shaker that smelled like regret. What follows is the complete, unredacted truth about how 30 famous people actually exercise. Or in Warren Buffett's case, how they aggressively do not exercise.

#1

The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)

The Iron Paradise Protocol

4 hours, 37 minutes

Total Duration

4 hours, 37 minutes -- no breaks, no questions, no mercy

Warmup

Carries the entire weight rack from one side of the gym to the other. Not on a cart. By hand. Each dumbbell individually. He calls this 'light movement work.'

Main Workout

1
The People's Deadlift

600lbs for reps. Between sets he motivational-speeches the barbell. The barbell has never felt more believed in.

2
Chain-Wrapped Bench Press

405lbs with chains draped over his neck like he's a very muscular Christmas tree. Grunts so loud the windows vibrate at a frequency that can be detected by seismographs.

3
The Eyebrow Raise (core work)

His signature eyebrow raise actually engages his entire core. Scientists have confirmed this. He does 500 reps. His face is more toned than your body.

4
Leg Press Nap

Loads the leg press with every plate in the gym. Does 20 reps. Falls asleep in the machine for 6 minutes. Wakes up and does 20 more. No one dares wake him or unload the plates.

Cooldown

Flexes in front of a mirror for 15 minutes, but not for vanity -- he's 'checking for weaknesses.' He has never found one.

Gym Playlist

Eye of the Tiger (on repeat, forever)
It's About Drive, It's About Power -- his own motivational track that he recorded at 3am
Silence -- because sometimes the sound of iron clanging IS the music

Trainer's Testimony

I don't train The Rock. The Rock trains me. I just stand there and try not to cry. My job title is 'Emotional Support Human.' I am paid extremely well to feel inadequate.

Personal Record

Bench pressed a Toyota Camry. Not in a gym. In a parking lot. On a Tuesday. He said it 'needed to be moved' and the tow truck was taking too long.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people say they're 'going light today.' There is no light. There is only heavy and heavier. Light is a concept invented by people who skip leg day.

#2

Tom Cruise

The Method (no stunt doubles, no spotters, no limits)

3 hours, 22 minutes

Total Duration

3 hours, 22 minutes -- he does everything himself, including timing the workout

Warmup

Sprints into the gym at full speed. Not from his car. From his house. 6 miles away. He passed three Ubers on the way. He was faster.

Main Workout

1
Self-Spotted Bench Press

Tom Cruise does not use a spotter. He spots himself. How? He won't explain. When asked, he just smiles and says 'I do my own stunts.' He has been pinned under the bar zero times. Statistically, this should be impossible.

2
Helicopter Hang Pull-Ups

Hangs from the pull-up bar with one hand while the other hand holds a phone playing the Mission Impossible theme. Does 30 reps. His feet never touch the ground. At one point he swung to the next bar like it was the skid of a helicopter over Paris.

3
The Sprint (just sprinting)

Sets the treadmill to 15mph. Runs for 47 minutes straight. Staff have tried to turn the treadmill off. He runs faster than the belt. The treadmill filed for workers' comp.

4
Building Scaling (cardio)

Attempted to free-climb the gym's exterior wall 'for the shot.' There was no camera. There was no shot. He just needed to climb something. Management installed 'No Climbing' signs that he treats as a dare.

Cooldown

Stands on the roof of the gym staring at the horizon for 10 minutes. Nobody knows how he gets up there. The roof access door is locked. It's always been locked.

Gym Playlist

The Mission Impossible theme -- all 47 variations across 8 films
Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins) -- makes him run faster, proven by science
His own breathing -- rhythmic, controlled, slightly unsettling

Trainer's Testimony

I was hired as his personal trainer. On day one, he trained me. I now have abs I didn't know existed. He hasn't paid me because technically I'm his student. I'm 43 years old. He's 63 and in better shape than my 25-year-old self.

Personal Record

Ran on a treadmill for so long that the treadmill's warranty expired during the session. The manufacturer sent a condolence card to the machine.

Gym Pet Peeve

People who use the 'emergency stop' button on the treadmill. There are no emergencies. Only missions.

#3

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Austrian Oak Classic (1975 Edition, Updated Never)

2 hours of lifting, 45 minutes of unsolicited motivational speeches

Total Duration

2 hours of lifting, 45 minutes of unsolicited motivational speeches

Warmup

Walks into the gym and flexes once. This counts as a warmup because his muscles have been warm since 1968. He has not been cold in 58 years.

Main Workout

1
The Pump (bicep curls, obviously)

Arnold has described The Pump as better than... well, you know the quote. He still chases it. He still finds it. He's 78. The Pump doesn't age. Neither does Arnold, apparently.

2
Unsolicited Spot Service

Not technically an exercise, but Arnold walks around spotting strangers mid-set while yelling 'COME ON, ONE MORE!' Three people have set PRs. One person dislocated a shoulder. Arnold paid for the surgery AND the trophy.

3
Cable Crossover Throne

Occupies the cable crossover for 30 minutes. Nobody asks him to rotate. The cable crossover machine was invented for Arnold. Everyone else is just borrowing it.

Cooldown

Poses in front of a mirror while telling a story about beating Sergio Oliva in 1970. The story takes longer than the workout. Nobody leaves.

Gym Playlist

Also Sprach Zarathustra (his Mr. Olympia walk-out song)
Conan the Barbarian soundtrack -- exclusively for deadlifts
Total Recall of the Tiger -- a mashup he made himself in 1991

Trainer's Testimony

Arnold doesn't have a trainer. Arnold IS a trainer. He's everyone's trainer. I came to the gym to work out and left with a new career, a new physique, and an Austrian accent I can't explain.

Personal Record

Motivated a complete stranger so hard that the stranger quit his desk job, became a personal trainer, and now owns three gyms. Arnold takes no credit. He just says 'I told him one more rep. He did six more. That's the difference.'

Gym Pet Peeve

Half reps. He can detect a half rep from across the gym. He will find you. He will stand behind you. He will say 'your chest will never forgive you.' You will never half-rep again.

#4

Keanu Reeves

The Kind Warrior Protocol

90 minutes

Total Duration

90 minutes -- but 20 of those are spent helping other people with their workouts

Warmup

Apologizes to the treadmill for what he's about to put it through. Stretches while making eye contact with every person in the gym and nodding respectfully. Offers his bench to four people who didn't ask for it.

Main Workout

1
John Wick Tactical Circuit

Three-gun drill transitions, jiu-jitsu sprawls, and tactical reloads -- but with dumbbells instead of guns. He once rolled behind a bench press to avoid someone walking past and whispered 'clear' to himself.

2
Sad Bench Press

Lies on the bench and presses 225lbs while staring at the ceiling with a distant, soulful expression. A woman asked if he was okay. He said 'I'm just thinking about time.' She cried. He spotted her next set.

3
The Kindness Superset

Between every set, he does one act of kindness: re-racks someone's weights, fetches a towel, gives a thumbs up. By the end of the workout, seven people have offered to be his best friend. He accepted all of them.

Cooldown

Sits on a bench outside the gym and just... exists. Peacefully. Cars slow down as they pass. A bird landed on his shoulder once. He let it stay for the full cooldown.

Gym Playlist

Clair de Lune (Debussy) -- for the reflective sets
Rage Against the Machine -- for the John Wick sets (the contrast is jarring)
The sound of his own heartbeat -- he says it reminds him he's alive and that's enough

Trainer's Testimony

Keanu asked me if I was having a good day before every session. Not as small talk. He meant it. He remembered my dog's name, my kid's birthday, and the fact that I was worried about my mortgage. He's not a client. He's a therapist who does deadlifts.

Personal Record

Held a door open at the gym for so long that 47 people walked through it. He was late to his own workout. He said 'there's always tomorrow' and meant it more than anyone has ever meant anything.

Gym Pet Peeve

He doesn't have one. He once witnessed someone curl in the squat rack and said 'everyone is on their own journey.' The squat rack felt validated.

#5

Chris Hemsworth

The God of Thunder Program (Mjolnir not included)

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- half real workout, half shirtless between sets

Warmup

Takes off his shirt. This is the warmup. The temperature in the gym rises 3 degrees. Two people walk into a wall.

Main Workout

1
Hammer Curls (obviously)

Uses the heaviest dumbbells available and calls them 'Mjolnir' and 'Stormbreaker.' Nobody corrects him. The left dumbbell IS Mjolnir. It has been decided.

2
Thor's Deadlift

Conventional deadlift with a yell at the top of every rep that can only be described as 'Australian Viking.' The bar bends. His accent gets thicker with every set. By set 5 nobody can understand him.

3
Centr App Promo Set

Every third exercise is filmed for his fitness app. He does the same bicep curl seven times from different angles. The lighting must be perfect. His arms must be glistening. They are always glistening.

4
Beach Body Finisher

20 minutes of core work that looks like it was choreographed by a movie studio. His six-pack has a six-pack. Each ab has been individually named. The bottom left one is called Greg.

Cooldown

Puts his shirt back on. The gym collectively sighs. He apologizes in Australian.

Gym Playlist

Thunderstruck (AC/DC) -- played at a volume that constitutes a weather event
Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song -- exclusively for overhead press
The Wiggles -- he's Australian, he can't help it, it slips in

Trainer's Testimony

I've trained Chris for three movies. The hardest part isn't the workout -- it's convincing him to keep his shirt on between sets. We lose 20 minutes per session to shirtlessness. Contractually, his pecs must be visible for at least 40% of each session.

Personal Record

His arms got so big during Thor: Love and Thunder that the costume department had to redesign the sleeves three times. The final version had no sleeves. Problem solved forever.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people ask him to 'do the voice.' He will do the voice. He always does the voice. But he wants to be asked nicely. 'Say please. Thor demands courtesy.'

#6

Zac Efron

The Baywatch Dehydration Protocol

75 minutes of lifting, 45 minutes of looking at himself

Total Duration

75 minutes of lifting, 45 minutes of looking at himself

Warmup

Applies three layers of self-tanner, adjusts his hair in the mirror four times, then does jumping jacks while maintaining eye contact with his reflection.

Main Workout

1
The Beach Sprint

Runs on the treadmill in slow motion. Not because the treadmill is slow. He physically moves in slow motion. It's a Baywatch thing. Staff have checked -- the treadmill is at full speed. He is just... slow-motion.

2
Shirtless Dumbbell Complex

A circuit of curls, presses, and raises designed exclusively to make every muscle visible simultaneously. The workout is scientifically optimized for Instagram lighting. Peer reviewed.

3
Ab Crunch Marathon

500 crunches. Not for fitness. For the movie poster. Every crunch is performed with the intensity of a man who knows his torso will be 40 feet tall on a billboard in Times Square.

Cooldown

Stands under a cold shower for 10 minutes to 'bring out the definition.' The definition was already there. The shower just wanted to be near him.

Gym Playlist

We're All in This Together (High School Musical) -- unironically
Pony by Ginuwine -- for the ab work
The Greatest Showman soundtrack -- he sings along and nobody stops him

Trainer's Testimony

Zac's dedication is insane. He dehydrated himself for three days before one scene. I told him that was dangerous. He said 'my abs have a SAG card, they need to perform.' I couldn't argue with that logic.

Personal Record

Achieved a body fat percentage so low that his nutritionist accused him of 'not being a real mammal.' His body fat was 4.7%. Polar bears have more fat. He was proud of this.

Gym Pet Peeve

Bad gym lighting. He once left a gym because the overhead fluorescents 'weren't doing his shoulders justice.' He was right, but still.

#7

Jason Momoa

The Aquabro Regime

2 hours of lifting, followed by 2 hours of climbing something outside

Total Duration

2 hours of lifting, followed by 2 hours of climbing something outside

Warmup

Walks in barefoot, shirtless, with his hair down. Does a primal scream. The front desk stopped asking for his membership card in 2018.

Main Workout

1
Rock Climbing (the actual rock, not Dwayne)

Climbs the gym's rock wall without a harness. When the wall runs out, he climbs the building. Gym insurance has tripled since he joined.

2
Battle Rope Tsunami

Uses battle ropes with such force that the anchored end starts to come loose. Has created actual waves in nearby water bottles. One time a protein shake exploded. He drank it off the floor like a warrior.

3
The Haka Squat

Squats 405lbs while performing a modified haka. It's terrifying. It's beautiful. Three people applauded. One person fainted. The squat rack vibrated at a frequency that unlocked someone's car in the parking lot.

4
Axe Throwing (yes, in the gym)

Brought his own axe. Threw it at a yoga ball. The yoga ball didn't make it. Management has asked him to stop. He has not stopped.

Cooldown

Drinks a Guinness. In the gym. While still sweating. He calls this 'rehydration.' Nutritionists have given up correcting him.

Gym Playlist

Hells Bells (AC/DC) -- for the battle ropes
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (IZ version) -- for the cooldown Guinness
Primal screaming -- his own, recorded and looped

Trainer's Testimony

Jason doesn't follow a program. Jason IS a program. I write workouts for him and he does something completely different but somehow gets more jacked. I've stopped planning. I just show up and try to survive.

Personal Record

Bent a barbell. Not during a deadlift. He was just holding it. The barbell was rated for 1,500lbs. He was standing still. The metal simply gave up.

Gym Pet Peeve

Shoes. Why do people wear shoes? His feet are tougher than most people's shoes. He stepped on a Lego once and the Lego broke.

#8

Mark Wahlberg

The 2:30 AM Psychopath Special

95 minutes, timed to the nanosecond by three synchronized Apple Watches

Total Duration

95 minutes, timed to the nanosecond by three synchronized Apple Watches

Warmup

Arrives at the gym at 2:30 AM. The gym opens at 5 AM. He has a key. Nobody gave him a key. He had a key made. The gym accepted this because arguing with someone who wakes up at 2 AM is pointless.

Main Workout

1
Pre-Dawn Dumbbell Press

Full dumbbell routine in complete darkness because the lights are on a timer and he's there 2.5 hours before they turn on. He can bench press by feel. His muscles have night vision.

2
Cryo Chamber Speedrun

Enters the cryo chamber at 6 AM for exactly 3 minutes. Not 3:01. Not 2:59. Three minutes. He has fired a cryo technician for closing the door 0.4 seconds late.

3
The Schedule (cardio)

Runs for exactly 30 minutes while reviewing his day's schedule, which is planned in 5-minute increments from 2:30 AM to 7:30 PM. He is asleep by 7:30 PM. He has been asleep by 7:30 PM since 2017.

4
Golf Swing Practice

At 3:40 AM. In the gym. With a real golf club. He has a putting green installed in the locker room. Nobody uses the locker room at 3:40 AM so nobody has complained. The locker room smells like ambition and protein powder.

Cooldown

Posts his entire workout to Instagram at 5:00 AM with the caption 'Rise and grind.' 50,000 people who woke up at 8 AM feel personally attacked.

Gym Playlist

Good Vibrations (Marky Mark) -- yes, his own song, yes, unironically
Alarm clock sounds -- he finds them 'motivating'
A podcast about productivity -- played at 2x speed because regular speed is 'too slow'

Trainer's Testimony

Mark's schedule is insane but he's the most punctual human alive. He arrived at 2:30:00 AM for 847 consecutive days. On day 848 he arrived at 2:30:01 AM and apologized for 'being late.' I was asleep. He called me to apologize. At 2:30 AM.

Personal Record

Completed his entire daily routine -- gym, cryo, golf, prayer, breakfast, second workout, and a full day of filming -- before most people hit snooze for the first time. He hit snooze once in 2014 and has never forgiven himself.

Gym Pet Peeve

People who arrive at the gym after sunrise. 'The sun is up and you're just STARTING? What have you been doing? Sleeping? SLEEPING?'

#9

John Cena

The Invisible Gains Program (you can't see the results, but they're there)

2 hours of lifting, 30 minutes of posing, eternity of being unseen

Total Duration

2 hours of lifting, 30 minutes of posing, eternity of being unseen

Warmup

Nobody sees him walk in. He materializes at the squat rack like a 250lb apparition in jorts. The front desk swears he didn't scan his card. He never scans his card. They have no record of him being a member. He has been coming for 11 years.

Main Workout

1
The Invisible Squat

Squats 500lbs in jean shorts. The jean shorts do not rip. They have never ripped. They are reinforced with the same material used in bulletproof vests. He special-orders them from a military contractor.

2
The You Can't See Me Press

Waves his hand in front of his face before every bench press set. The weights briefly become invisible. This is not a joke. Three gym employees have confirmed they momentarily lost sight of the barbell.

3
Make-A-Wish Curls

Between every set, he checks his phone for Make-A-Wish requests. He has granted over 650. He once left mid-workout to visit a child at a hospital 3 hours away. He came back the next day and finished the set.

Cooldown

Disappears. Not 'leaves the gym.' Disappears. One moment he's at the water fountain. The next moment he's not. Security footage shows nothing. He was never there. But the weights are warm.

Gym Playlist

His entrance theme (The Time Is Now) -- on repeat, forever, no exceptions
The sound of a referee counting to three -- motivational
John Cena Prank Call compilations -- he listens to himself pranking people and laughs alone

Trainer's Testimony

I'm John Cena's trainer. I think. He shows up, does the workout I planned, then does a completely different workout, then does the first workout again. I've stopped making plans. The plans can't see him either.

Personal Record

Bench pressed 487lbs in jorts and a headband. The headband has never moved. Not once. It is fused to his scalp. It is part of him now. The headband has its own Wikipedia page.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people say 'I can see you.' They can't. They think they can, but they can't. He has tested this. He stood in front of a mirror once and the mirror showed an empty room.

#10

Terry Crews

The Pec-tacular Extravaganza

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- 45 minutes of lifting, 75 minutes of making everyone's day better

Warmup

His pecs flex independently as a greeting. Left pec says hello. Right pec says welcome. Both pecs bounce simultaneously for VIP members. This is not voluntary -- his muscles have their own social calendar.

Main Workout

1
The Musical Bench Press

Bench presses while his pecs bounce to the beat of whatever song is playing. He does not choose this. His pecs have their own Spotify account. It's mostly Old Spice jingles and Earth, Wind & Fire.

2
The Enthusiasm Squat

Every rep is accompanied by a different encouragement: 'YEAH!' 'BEAUTIFUL!' 'THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!' Other gym-goers have started applauding his sets. It's become a community event.

3
Full Body Hype Circuit

A circuit so energetic that three people joined in uninvited. By the end, it was a group fitness class. Terry didn't plan this. His energy is just that contagious. The gym now charges extra on days Terry shows up.

4
Old Spice Commercial Recreation

Every hour, on the hour, he recreates an Old Spice commercial using gym equipment. The towel flip. The horse stance. The 'look at your man, now back to me.' It's involuntary at this point.

Cooldown

High-fives every single person in the gym. Nobody declines. Nobody has ever declined. Declining a Terry Crews high-five would be like declining sunlight.

Gym Playlist

September (Earth, Wind & Fire) -- mandatory, non-negotiable
Old Spice jingle -- 47 variations, all masterpieces
A Thousand Miles (Vanessa Carlton) -- because of that one White Chicks scene and he will never let it go

Trainer's Testimony

Terry doesn't need a trainer. Terry IS a trainer, motivational speaker, DJ, and entertainment system. I wrote him a workout plan once. He said 'this is beautiful' and then did something completely different but with so much joy that I couldn't complain.

Personal Record

Made every single person in a 200-person gym smile in under 7 minutes. It's been timed. It's been verified. It's in the Guinness Book of World Records under 'Most Joyful Human in a Fitness Setting.'

Gym Pet Peeve

Negativity. He once heard someone say 'I hate leg day' and gave them a 20-minute speech about gratitude that ended with a standing ovation from the stretching area.

#11

LeBron James

The $1.5 Million Body Maintenance Program

3 hours of training, followed by 2 hours of recovery that costs more than your car

Total Duration

3 hours of training, followed by 2 hours of recovery that costs more than your car

Warmup

His warmup involves a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, cryotherapy, a personal masseuse, and a team of 4 specialists who monitor his body temperature, hydration, and muscle activation in real time. Your warmup is 'a few arm circles.'

Main Workout

1
The Decision (exercise selection)

Stands in front of the dumbbell rack for 4 minutes deciding which exercise to do. This is broadcast on ESPN. He takes his talents to the cable machine.

2
Court-Length Lunges

Lunges the full length of the gym -- 94 feet, the length of an NBA court. He measured. The gym is actually 96 feet. He made them take out a wall.

3
The LeRecovery

Spends $1.5 million per year on body maintenance. He has a personal chef, sleep coach, cryo chamber, NormaTec boots, and a man whose entire job is to 'keep LeBron's knees happy.' The knees are happy.

Cooldown

Soaks in a custom ice bath while reviewing game film on a waterproof tablet. The ice bath costs $12,000. The tablet costs $800. LeBron's body is the most expensive vehicle on Earth.

Gym Playlist

Started From the Bottom (Drake) -- because of course
Kendrick Lamar's entire discography -- shuffled, no skips
A custom playlist curated by Jay-Z personally -- yes, really

Trainer's Testimony

LeBron's body is a temple. No -- temples deteriorate. LeBron's body is a server farm with 99.999% uptime. He's 41 and his vertical leap is higher than most 21-year-olds. I maintain a machine, not a man.

Personal Record

At age 41, posted a vertical leap higher than his rookie year number. His knees are younger than they were in 2003. He has reverse-aged. Scientists are studying him. He is the control group AND the experiment.

Gym Pet Peeve

When anyone says he's 'too old.' He will play for 5 more years out of pure spite. Each 'too old' comment adds 6 months to his career. He's currently scheduled to retire in 2047.

#12

Conor McGregor

The Notorious Knackering

2.5 hours

Total Duration

2.5 hours -- 1 hour of fighting, 1 hour of talking about fighting, 30 minutes of looking at his own reflection

Warmup

Shadow boxes his own reflection. The reflection lost. He trash-talked it for 10 minutes afterward. The mirror now flinches when he walks in.

Main Workout

1
The Left Hand of God

Hits the heavy bag so hard that the chain broke. Twice. In the same session. The gym now uses chains rated for maritime anchor duty. The chains are nervous.

2
Proper Twelve Deadlifts

Names each deadlift rep after a round in a UFC fight. 'ROUND ONE!' on the way up. 'KNOCKOUT!' at lockout. By set 3, he's doing live commentary on his own workout. The ESPN desk would be impressed.

3
The Billionaire Strut (cardio)

Walks on the treadmill at 2mph with his arms behind his back, chin up, chest out. This is his cardio. The calories burned are minimal but the confidence generated could power a small city.

Cooldown

Sits in the sauna wearing sunglasses and a robe, drinking whiskey from his own brand. The sauna has a 'no glass bottles' policy. The policy does not apply to Conor. The sauna knows better.

Gym Playlist

The Foggy Dew + Hypnotize mashup -- his UFC walkout song, repeated endlessly
Sinead O'Connor -- for the emotional rounds
His own press conference highlights -- he listens to himself trash-talking as cardio motivation

Trainer's Testimony

Conor's training intensity is otherworldly. The problem is he wants to fight everything. The heavy bag. The speed bag. The wall. Me. Another trainer. The concept of defeat. I've been punched by him 'accidentally' 14 times. It's never accidental.

Personal Record

Knocked out a heavy bag. Not 'hit it hard.' Knocked it OUT. The bag fell off its mount, hit the floor, and didn't get up. He counted to 10 over it. The ref (there was no ref) waved it off.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people wear UFC merch but can't name three fighters. He will quiz you. If you fail, he shadow-boxes in your direction disapprovingly.

#13

Serena Williams

The G.O.A.T. Protocol (23 Grand Slams' Worth of Intensity)

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- every minute earned through decades of being the best athlete alive

Warmup

Serves a tennis ball at 128mph into a wall. In the gym. The wall has been replaced four times. Management stopped billing her after the second time because they were afraid.

Main Workout

1
Power Serve Deadlifts

Pulls 315lbs with the same explosive force as a 128mph serve. The barbell is afraid. It should be. She has more Grand Slam titles than the barbell has plates.

2
Return of Serve Box Jumps

Box jumps onto progressively higher boxes until there are no more boxes. Then she stacks boxes. Then she jumps onto the stacked boxes. The ceiling is the only thing that has stopped her. Temporarily.

3
Champion's Circuit

A circuit so demanding that her trainer -- a former Olympic athlete -- threw up during the demo. She did the full circuit. Then she did it again. Then she asked 'was that the warmup?'

Cooldown

Designs a new athletic wear collection on her phone while foam rolling. The collection generates more revenue than most people's careers. She is resting harder than you are working.

Gym Playlist

Run the World (Girls) -- Beyonce, obviously, they're best friends
Unstoppable (Sia) -- because she literally is
Championship point crowd noise from Wimbledon 2015 -- it calms her. This is alarming.

Trainer's Testimony

I trained Serena for one session. She trained me for the next six. I now have quads I didn't know humans could have. She told me to 'go deeper on the squat' and I found muscles that haven't been activated since the Paleolithic era.

Personal Record

Out-sprinted, out-lifted, and out-worked every person in the gym simultaneously. While pregnant. The gym put up a plaque. It says 'Serena Was Here. You're Welcome.'

Gym Pet Peeve

When men offer unsolicited advice on her form. She has 23 Grand Slam titles. Her 'form' has generated $94 million in career earnings. She will let you finish talking and then add 20lbs to the bar.

#14

Beyonce

The Renaissance Regime (every workout is a visual album)

2 hours, but it feels like a concert

Total Duration

2 hours, but it feels like a concert -- because it basically is one

Warmup

A full choreographed dance routine that would be the main event at anyone else's gym session. She's wearing custom Ivy Park that hasn't been released yet. You're wearing a free 5K t-shirt from 2019.

Main Workout

1
The Coachella Leg Press

Leg presses while rehearsing choreography for a show that's 8 months away. Her legs are so strong the machine's hydraulics are at maximum resistance. The machine was designed for NFL linemen. She outgrew it.

2
Concert Cardio

Dances for 45 minutes straight at the intensity of a two-hour concert. She's training for a show, but the gym IS the show. Three trainers film from different angles. There is a lighting team. On standby. At the gym.

3
Vocal Cord Crunches

Does crunches while singing full songs with perfect pitch. If you can sing while crunching, your core is made of different materials than other humans. Her abs have Grammy nominations.

Cooldown

A team of three people appear from nowhere with recovery shakes, ice packs, and what appears to be a contract for a new Netflix documentary about the cooldown itself.

Gym Playlist

Her own unreleased album -- she has unreleased music playing at all times, nobody else will hear it for 2 years
Crazy in Love -- but the workout remix that's 40% faster and 100% more terrifying
Formation -- every workout is a formation, every rep is a statement

Trainer's Testimony

I don't train Beyonce. I facilitate Beyonce. She arrives with a plan, executes the plan, exceeds the plan, and then creates a new plan for tomorrow. My job is to count reps and try not to be starstruck. I fail at the second part daily.

Personal Record

Performed a two-hour Coachella set after a leg day that would hospitalize a normal human. Her quads were on fire. She was on fire. Everything was on fire. The performance was flawless. Legs don't get tired if they're iconic.

Gym Pet Peeve

Leaks. Nothing from Beyonce's workout can leak. Her gym sessions are under NDA. The dumbbells signed an NDA. If you see her at the gym, you didn't. You were never there. Hive rules.

#15

Kim Kardashian

The SKIMS Sculpt (patent pending)

90 minutes of workout, 45 minutes of content creation

Total Duration

90 minutes of workout, 45 minutes of content creation

Warmup

A professional photographer adjusts the gym lighting for 10 minutes. Then Kim does hip circles. The hip circles are filmed from 5 angles. Only 1 will make the Instagram story. The other 4 are burned.

Main Workout

1
The Influencer Squat

Weighted squats with perfect form -- and perfect camera angles. Her trainer adjusts her positioning for each rep. Not for safety. For the algorithm. The algorithm requires a 45-degree angle and golden hour lighting.

2
Glute Bridge to Nowhere

200 glute bridges with a band that costs $3 but looks like it costs $300 because Kim is using it. The band will sell out on SKIMS within 48 hours of this being posted. It's just a rubber band. It's worth $45 now.

3
Stairmaster to Heaven

30 minutes on the StairMaster in full glam. Her makeup does not move. Her hair does not move. Sweat is not allowed. Sweat has been contractually prohibited.

Cooldown

Checks the analytics on her workout post in real time. The cooldown takes longer than the workout if engagement is below projections.

Gym Playlist

Kanye's entire discography -- it's complicated but the music still slaps
Ariana Grande -- because the BPM is perfect for glute bridges, confirmed by science
ASMR gym sounds -- because everything Kim does is content, even the ambient noise

Trainer's Testimony

Kim works harder than people think. The problem is she also needs every set to be photogenic. I've never trained someone who does more reps because the first three 'didn't photograph well.' She once redid an entire set of lunges because of a shadow.

Personal Record

Posted a gym selfie that got 4.2 million likes in under an hour. The selfie was more effective than the workout. Her engagement rate burns more calories than the StairMaster.

Gym Pet Peeve

People who workout in old clothes. 'You're telling me you got dressed to EXERCISE and you chose THAT? In THIS economy?'

#16

Oprah

The You Get a Rep! Protocol

75 minutes

Total Duration

75 minutes -- every minute is intentional, meaningful, and probably sponsored

Warmup

A 5-minute meditation where she manifests the workout results before lifting a single weight. She visualizes her biceps. Her biceps respond. Oprah's mind-muscle connection operates on a spiritual level.

Main Workout

1
The Favorite Things Dumbbell Complex

Points at each dumbbell before picking it up and says 'YOU get a curl! And YOU get a curl! EVERYBODY GETS A CURL!' Three people nearby started curling involuntarily. Her enthusiasm is a controlled substance.

2
The Book Club Treadmill

Walks on the treadmill at 3.5mph while listening to an audiobook. The audiobook is her own. She is fact-checking herself. She found two errors and has scheduled a revised edition.

3
Empowerment Leg Press

Each rep is dedicated to a different person who inspired her. By set 3, she's crying. By set 4, the trainer is crying. By set 5, the entire gym is crying and hugging. Nobody remembers what exercise they were doing.

Cooldown

Gives a 10-minute closing speech to whoever is nearby about 'the journey' and 'living your best life.' A production crew may or may not materialize to film it. Oprah is always being filmed. Even when she's not being filmed, she's being filmed.

Gym Playlist

I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor) -- because she did and she will
Respect (Aretha Franklin) -- for the heavy sets
Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations podcast -- she listens to herself interview people and takes notes on her own questions

Trainer's Testimony

Oprah fired me, rehired me, gave me a car, fired me again, and then featured me on her show. I've been her trainer for 4 years and I still don't know if I work here. But I do know that she can leg press more than I can and I am a former D1 athlete.

Personal Record

Ran a marathon in 1994 and talked about it on her show for the next 30 years. The marathon itself was 4 hours and 29 minutes. The discussing of the marathon has been 263,000+ hours and counting.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people don't celebrate small victories. She once saw someone bench press their bodyweight for the first time and they just... moved on. Oprah stopped them, clapped, and made the entire gym acknowledge the achievement. It was Tuesday at 6 AM.

#17

Jeff Bezos

The Prime Physique Program (delivered in 2 business days)

90 minutes of optimized training, zero wasted movements, same-day results

Total Duration

90 minutes of optimized training, zero wasted movements, same-day results

Warmup

A team of 3 specialists stretch him while he reviews quarterly earnings on a tablet. He has not touched his own toes in 6 years. Other people touch his toes for him. This is not a joke.

Main Workout

1
The Transformation Bench Press

Pre-2019 Bezos: couldn't bench the bar. Post-2019 Bezos: benches 275. What happened in 2019? Nobody knows. He emerged from what can only be described as a 'billionaire cocoon' with arms that weren't there before.

2
Tactical Vest Farmer's Walks

Wears a tactical vest while carrying dumbbells through the gym. He looks like a Bond villain on his day off. The vest costs $4,000. The dumbbells cost $50. The intimidation factor is priceless.

3
Space-Grade Cardio

Uses a custom rowing machine that simulates the G-forces of a Blue Origin launch. Regular rowing machines bore him. He's been to space. The StairMaster doesn't impress someone who's left the atmosphere.

Cooldown

Steps into a recovery pod that costs more than most people's houses. The pod has WiFi, a screen, and probably a direct line to AWS. His cooldown has more technology than your gym.

Gym Playlist

Eye of the Tiger -- but a techno remix that hasn't been publicly released
Also Sprach Zarathustra -- because he went to space and will never let you forget it
Amazon Alexa reading his net worth in real time -- motivational

Trainer's Testimony

In 2017, Jeff was a normal CEO. By 2020, he was jacked. I didn't train him in 2018 or 2019. I don't know who did. No one knows. He won't say. His transformation defies sports science. His blood work is classified. I think he found something in space.

Personal Record

Went from 'guy who delivers your packages' to 'guy who could deliver your packages by throwing them from space' in 18 months. The transformation was so dramatic that 14 magazine covers featured his arms. His arms have more press coverage than most politicians.

Gym Pet Peeve

When the gym's WiFi is slow. He once offered to 'fix' a gym's network infrastructure. They declined. The gym now has AWS servers in the basement. He did it anyway. At night.

#18

Elon Musk

The First Principles Approach to Physical Fitness (Zero Cardio Edition)

47 minutes

Total Duration

47 minutes -- he calculated this is the optimal workout length based on a paper he read at 3 AM

Warmup

Walks into the gym, looks at the equipment, and tweets 'gyms are inefficient, I'm designing something better.' Does not elaborate. Does 3 minutes of stretching while scrolling Twitter. The stretching is also tweeted.

Main Workout

1
Zero Cardio

Elon does not do cardio. He has stated publicly that cardio is 'running from nothing.' Instead, he stands on a vibration plate and calls it 'passive locomotion.' He has filed a patent for a treadmill that walks for you. It's called the X-Mill.

2
The Disruptor Press

Bench presses while explaining to his trainer why traditional bench pressing is 'legacy technology.' His trainer nods. His trainer does not understand. By set 3, Elon has redesigned the bench press from first principles. The redesign is worse but he will never admit this.

3
Neural Link-age (lat pulldowns)

Does lat pulldowns while dictating emails about Mars colonization. His form is questionable but his multitasking is unparalleled. He once closed a $44 billion acquisition mid-set. The pulldown suffered. The acquisition also suffered.

Cooldown

Sits in the sauna tweeting for 40 minutes. The cooldown is longer than the workout. He has tweeted 19 times. One tweet has crashed a stock. He does not notice. The sauna attendant is very stressed.

Gym Playlist

The entire Joe Rogan podcast library -- shuffled, no context, mid-conversation
EDM -- specifically the kind that sounds like robots fighting
His own laughter -- recorded from meme reviews and played on loop

Trainer's Testimony

Elon told me he 'invented' a new form of exercise called 'gravitational resistance training.' It's just lifting weights. He renamed lifting weights. He then tried to trademark it. I have a master's degree in exercise science and I no longer know what words mean.

Personal Record

Tweeted about going to the gym and Tesla stock moved 3%. He didn't actually go to the gym that day. The market doesn't know this. The tweet was the workout.

Gym Pet Peeve

Cardio machines. All of them. 'Why would you run in place when you could be solving humanity's problems?' He said this while standing on a vibration plate doing nothing.

#19

Mark Zuckerberg

The Metaverse Combat System (now with real bruises)

2 hours of MMA training with the emotional intensity of a man who has something to prove

Total Duration

2 hours of MMA training with the emotional intensity of a man who has something to prove

Warmup

Enters the gym with dead eyes and a custom-fitted rashguard. Makes zero small talk. Proceeds directly to the mats. His warmup is 15 minutes of staring at a heavy bag like it said something about his company's privacy policy.

Main Workout

1
Jiu-Jitsu Rolling

Rolls with anyone who will accept. He's gotten... good. Terrifyingly good. His coach says he trains 'like someone who read every book on the subject and then memorized them.' His eyes do not blink during rolls. Not once.

2
MMA Striking Drills

Hits pads with the precision of someone who has analyzed 4,200 hours of fight footage. Each punch is data-driven. Each kick has been A/B tested. His stance was optimized using machine learning. This is not a joke. He built the model himself.

3
The Cage Match Prep

Trains specifically for a cage match that may or may not happen against another tech CEO. His intensity suggests it's happening tomorrow. It has been 'happening tomorrow' for 2 years.

Cooldown

Puts on a VR headset and shadowboxes in the Metaverse. The cooldown is technically also training. He is always training. When he sleeps, he dreams about arm bars. His pillow has a submission count.

Gym Playlist

Daft Punk -- Robot Rock, on repeat, because of course
The Social Network soundtrack -- playing it at his own gym is a power move
Binary code sounds -- he claims it's 'white noise,' it's actually data sonification

Trainer's Testimony

Mark trains harder than any CEO I've worked with. His intensity is concerning. He asked me to choke him during jiu-jitsu practice and when I hesitated, he said 'my shareholders have been doing it for years, you can't do worse.' I did not know how to respond.

Personal Record

Won a jiu-jitsu tournament against people half his age. His celebration was a single nod. No emotion. No smile. Just a nod and then he asked 'when's the next one?' The next one was in 3 weeks. He won that too.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people ask for selfies while he's training. His response is to offer to spar instead. Nobody has taken him up on this. The offer stands. The eyes remain empty.

#20

Bill Gates

The Windows XP Workout (loading... loading... complete)

60 minutes

Total Duration

60 minutes -- efficiently allocated across cardiovascular and resistance categories

Warmup

Reads a 400-page book about exercise science while on the stationary bike at resistance level 2. He finishes the book in 35 minutes. The warmup is over. He now knows more about exercise than his trainer. Again.

Main Workout

1
The Philanthropic Treadmill

Walks at 3.2mph while reviewing proposals to eradicate malaria. His heart rate stays at exactly 132 BPM. He has optimized this. The optimal heart rate for 'treadmill philanthropy' is 132 BPM. He wrote a blog post about it.

2
Tennis (his actual exercise)

Bill Gates loves tennis. He plays 3 times a week. His forehand is described as 'technically competent but weirdly robotic.' His serve has been calculated to be 82mph, which he has tried to optimize using a spreadsheet.

3
The Blue Screen of Death Lift

Occasionally attempts a deadlift. The form is concerning. His trainer watches through their fingers. Bill has watched 40 hours of YouTube tutorials. The knowledge has not transferred to his body. His brain and his spine have different operating systems.

Cooldown

Writes in a Moleskine notebook about what he learned today. Today he learned that his hamstrings are tight. He will read three books about hamstrings by Thursday. He will know more about hamstrings than any living orthopedist by Friday.

Gym Playlist

Classical music -- specifically compositions he's funding the preservation of
Audiobooks about disease eradication -- light listening
The Windows startup sound -- involuntary, he's heard it so many times it just plays in his head

Trainer's Testimony

Bill is my most intellectual client. He questions every exercise. 'Why 3 sets of 10? Is there a peer-reviewed study? What's the confidence interval?' I showed him a study once and he found a methodological flaw in the abstract. The study was retracted.

Personal Record

Read 14 books about fitness in one month and can now explain the biomechanics of a deadlift better than an Olympic coach. He still can't do one properly. The gap between his knowledge and his body is the widest in human history.

Gym Pet Peeve

When gym equipment uses proprietary software. He once spent 45 minutes trying to install Linux on a Peloton. He succeeded. The Peloton runs better now.

#21

Warren Buffett

The Oracle of Omaha's Physical Allocation Strategy

12 minutes

Total Duration

12 minutes -- and 8 of those are walking to the fridge

Warmup

Gets out of his La-Z-Boy. This is the warmup. His cardiologist has asked him to 'do more.' He considers standing up to be 'more.' He is technically correct.

Main Workout

1
The Fridge Walk

Walks from his chair to the refrigerator and back. Distance: 14 feet each way. He does this 5 times per day. Total daily exercise: 140 feet. He counts this as 'steps.' His Fitbit shows 200 steps on a good day. Most of them are fridge-related.

2
McDonald's Bag Curl

Lifts a McDonald's bag from the car to his desk. The bag weighs approximately 2.3 lbs (one Big Mac, large fries, and a Coke). This is the heaviest thing he lifts voluntarily. He does this 7 times per week. His bicep has not changed since 1962.

3
The Stationary Bike (stationary in every sense)

Sits on a stationary bike at resistance level 0 while reading the Wall Street Journal. His legs do not move. He is stationary on the stationary bike. The bike is a chair with pedals. The pedals have never been used. They still have the plastic wrap on them.

Cooldown

Drinks a Cherry Coke. He has been drinking 5 Cherry Cokes per day since 1985. His doctor has given up. His portfolio returns 20% annually. The Cherry Coke stays.

Gym Playlist

Nothing -- Warren Buffett does not listen to music while exercising because Warren Buffett does not exercise
CNBC -- playing in the background of whatever room he's in at all times, even the bathroom
The sound of compound interest -- he can hear it, you can't, it's a gift

Trainer's Testimony

I was hired to be Warren Buffett's personal trainer. He fired me on day one and said 'I've been eating McDonald's every day for 60 years and I'm 95 and worth $130 billion. You're 35 and you can't afford my stock.' I had no response. He offered me a Coke. I took the Coke.

Personal Record

Walked from his house to the Dairy Queen 3 blocks away without stopping. He was 87. It took 22 minutes. He bought a Blizzard. He owns Dairy Queen. The Blizzard was free. He tipped $2. The tip was the most exercise-adjacent thing he did that year.

Gym Pet Peeve

Gyms. The concept. The entire industry. 'Why would I pay someone to make me uncomfortable? I didn't get rich by spending money on discomfort. I got rich by sitting still and reading.'

#22

Kevin Hart

The Short King's Tall Order

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- but he talks so fast it feels like 4 hours of content in 2 hours

Warmup

Runs in place while doing a comedy set for whoever is nearby. The warmup is cardio AND entertainment. His heart rate goes up from the laughing. Your heart rate goes up from the laughing. Everyone is warmed up. Nobody planned for this.

Main Workout

1
The Compensator Deadlift

Deadlifts 2x his bodyweight while yelling 'I'M 5'2 AND I'M LIFTING MORE THAN YOU!' He is not 5'2. He claims 5'4. The internet claims 5'2. The deadlift does not care about height. The deadlift respects Kevin Hart.

2
Box Jump to Eye Level

Jumps onto a 48-inch box, which brings him to eye level with everyone else in the gym. He calls this 'reaching my potential.' He does 20 reps. For 20 brief moments, he is tall. It is glorious.

3
The Dwayne Johnson Challenge

Attempts to match The Rock's workout. He cannot. Nobody can. But Kevin tries. And he films it. And it's hilarious. And it gets 50 million views. And The Rock comments 'adorable.' Kevin does not find this funny.

Cooldown

Does a 15-minute Instagram Live from the gym locker room recapping every rep, every set, and every person who underestimated him today. The cooldown has more energy than most people's entire workout.

Gym Playlist

Eye of the Tiger -- but the version he re-recorded with his own motivational ad-libs
Ain't No Mountain High Enough -- ironic and sincere simultaneously
Kevin Hart's own stand-up specials -- he works out to himself, it's complicated

Trainer's Testimony

Kevin is the most energetic client I've ever trained. He talks through every rep. Every. Single. Rep. I once timed it -- he said 247 words during a single set of 12 bench presses. That's 20 words per rep. He is a cardio machine powered by conversation.

Personal Record

Convinced The Rock to do a workout video with him. Kevin did 50% of The Rock's weight on every exercise. The video got 100 million views. Kevin considers this a personal record in 'relative strength.' The Rock considers it 'cute.'

Gym Pet Peeve

When people put things on high shelves. In the gym. At home. Anywhere. 'You know what you did. You know exactly what you did.'

#23

Ryan Reynolds

The Deadpool Recovery Protocol (healing factor not included)

90 minutes

Total Duration

90 minutes -- but 30 of those are sarcastic commentary on the workout itself

Warmup

Makes a self-deprecating joke about his body, does 10 jumping jacks, makes another joke about how bad the jumping jacks were, then posts both jokes to Twitter. The warmup has 3 million impressions. He hasn't started exercising.

Main Workout

1
The Fourth Wall Break Press

Bench presses while narrating his own workout like a documentary. 'And here we see the aging actor attempting to maintain relevance through pectoral development. Will he succeed? No. But he'll look okay in the suit.'

2
Aviation Gin Farmer's Walks

Carries two cases of his own gin across the gym. It's 'functional fitness' and also 'product placement.' His trainer gave up distinguishing between the two. The gin is delicious. The farmer's walk is legitimate. The line between branding and exercise has been erased.

3
The Sarcasm Superset

Supersets bicep curls with deadpan commentary about the futility of bicep curls. 'Nobody's arms have ever solved a problem. And yet, here we are. Curling. As if society depends on my forearms. It does not. Probably.'

Cooldown

Writes a Mint Mobile ad in his head while stretching. The ad is funnier than anything his writers produce. He films it in the gym parking lot. It costs $0 to produce and generates $4 million in revenue. The cooldown is more productive than most people's careers.

Gym Playlist

Deadpool soundtrack -- the entire Celine Dion 'Ashes' sequence on repeat
Let's Get It On (Marvin Gaye) -- playing while making uncomfortable eye contact with his trainer
A podcast about Canadian politics -- nobody understands why, he won't explain

Trainer's Testimony

Ryan is the funniest client I have. Also the most distracting. I asked him to do 4 sets of 12 and he said 'that's 48 reps, which is also the number of businesses I own that lose money.' I forgot what exercise we were doing. He didn't do the exercise. He never does the exercise the first time.

Personal Record

Sold a gin company for $610 million and did a workout to celebrate that consisted of 6 reps at 10lbs. 6-10. Get it? The numerology. He was very proud. Nobody else was. The reps were terrible.

Gym Pet Peeve

People who take the gym seriously. 'It's a room full of heavy things. You pick them up and put them down. We're not curing cancer. We're barely curing anything. My knees sound like a haunted house.'

#24

Will Smith

The Fresh Prince Fitness Saga (now with running, so much running)

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- filmed, documented, and turned into a YouTube series about the human spirit

Warmup

A 5-minute motivational speech to himself in the mirror. The speech is filmed. It will get 30 million views. The warmup hasn't started yet but the content already has.

Main Workout

1
The Treadmill Philosophy

Runs on the treadmill for 45 minutes while explaining his philosophy: 'If we get on a treadmill together, either you're getting off first, or I'm going to die.' He has said this in 14 interviews. He means it. The treadmill fears him.

2
Dad Bod Demolition Circuit

After his famous 'dad bod' photo went viral, Will did a transformation that was documented in a 6-part YouTube series. The circuit involves everything. All exercises. Every machine. He uses the entire gym like a very expensive playground.

3
The Comeback Press

Heavy bench press sets with the intensity of a man who is constantly reinventing himself. Each rep is a metaphor. The press is about more than the press. The weight is emotional AND physical. His form is excellent. His narration is exhausting.

Cooldown

Sits in the sauna reflecting on his journey while a camera crew films. The reflection will become a 12-minute YouTube video with the title 'WHAT I LEARNED FROM TODAY'S WORKOUT (emotional).' The parenthetical is always there.

Gym Playlist

Gettin' Jiggy Wit It -- always, forever, no discussion
Men in Black theme -- for the alien-level intensity sets
Motivational speeches set to epic music -- his own speeches, his own epic music

Trainer's Testimony

Will is the most documented athlete I've ever trained. Every rep is a story. Every set is a lesson. Every rest period is a monologue about perseverance. I once asked him to do 10 push-ups and he did 10 push-ups, cried, and then explained how those 10 push-ups connected to his childhood. The push-ups took 4 minutes. The explanation took 35.

Personal Record

Ran a half-marathon with zero training, live-streamed the entire thing, and turned the experience into a bestselling book called 'Will.' The book is about more than running. Everything with Will is about more than the thing it's about.

Gym Pet Peeve

Quitting. He does not quit. He will not quit. If you quit on the treadmill next to him, he will give you a speech that makes you get back on. You don't have a choice. The speech is 20 minutes long. You will cry.

#25

Michael B. Jordan

The Creed III Training Camp (real punches, real gains)

3 hours

Total Duration

3 hours -- the workout of someone who had to look like a professional boxer on screen and took it personally

Warmup

Shadow boxes for 15 minutes with the intensity of someone who is about to fight for a world title. He is not fighting for a world title. He's about to do cable flies. But the shadow boxing doesn't know that.

Main Workout

1
Rocky Balboa Stair Sprints

Sprints up and down the gym's stairs 20 times. The gym has 3 stairs. It doesn't matter. He does them with the cinematic intensity of the Philadelphia Museum steps. He plays the Rocky theme on his phone. Nobody stops him.

2
Killmonger Pull-Ups

Does pull-ups with the intensity of a man who was snubbed for an Oscar. Each rep is vengeance. Each set is a statement. By the final rep, you're not sure if he's working out or filming a scene. The line has been obliterated.

3
The Leading Man Physique Superset

A chest-and-arms superset designed to make him look like the most jacked person on a movie poster. The superset works. He looks like the most jacked person everywhere. Including the gym. Including his house. Including Zoom calls.

Cooldown

Practices his 'intense stare' in the mirror while his heart rate comes down. The stare does not come down. The stare is permanent. His resting face is more intense than most people's workout face.

Gym Playlist

Creed soundtrack -- Meek Mill exclusively, no substitutions
Kendrick Lamar -- for the angry sets
Adonis training montage music -- it's a playlist he curated, it's perfect, it would make Rocky cry

Trainer's Testimony

Michael trains like every workout is being filmed for a movie. The intensity never drops. I've trained actors who 'get in shape for a role.' Michael is ALWAYS in shape. The role is his life. His life is the role. I'm not his trainer; I'm his cornerman.

Personal Record

Got so in shape for Creed III that actual professional boxers asked him to spar. He said yes. He held his own. The pros were concerned. Not for him -- for themselves.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people say acting isn't athletic. 'I trained for 8 months, did my own fight choreography, and took real punches to the body. Tell me that's not athletic while I'm standing here with a six-pack that required 4,000 sit-ups to build.'

#26

Henry Cavill

The Superman/Witcher/Warhammer Triple Threat

2.5 hours

Total Duration

2.5 hours -- the workout of a nerd who is accidentally the most jacked person alive

Warmup

Explains the lore of Warhammer 40K to his trainer for 15 minutes. The trainer does not play Warhammer. The trainer now knows more about Space Marines than anyone in their family. The warmup has not begun. Henry is still talking about painting miniatures.

Main Workout

1
The Superman Deadlift

Deadlifts 495lbs. His famous deadlift video went viral because the look on his face was that of a man who was genuinely afraid the weight might kill him. It didn't. But the internet loved the vulnerability. Superman is scared of deadlifts. This is relatable.

2
The Witcher Sword Work

Does cable exercises while discussing sword-fighting techniques from The Witcher. The cable machine becomes Geralt's silver sword. The lat pulldown is a 'Witcher sign.' His trainer is lost. Henry is in Kaer Morhen. The workout continues in a different dimension.

3
PC Gaming Recovery

Between sets, he checks his PC gaming rig remotely to make sure his Warhammer Total War save file is intact. He once paused mid-squat to respond to a Warhammer forum post. The squat waited. The Warhammer community did not.

Cooldown

Talks about his custom PC build while stretching. The PC has more RAM than the gym's entire IT system. His cooldown is a TED Talk about graphics cards. His trainer can now build a PC. His trainer did not want this knowledge.

Gym Playlist

The Witcher 3 soundtrack (complete, 4+ hours, no shuffling)
Lord of the Rings score -- for the heavy compound lifts
Warhammer 40K ambient battle sounds -- for 'immersion' during training

Trainer's Testimony

Henry is the strongest nerd alive. He builds PCs, paints Warhammer miniatures, and deadlifts 500lbs. These should not coexist in one person. He once explained the entire Horus Heresy to me during a leg day. Leg day was 2 hours. The Horus Heresy took 3. We went overtime. I now own a Warhammer starter set. I don't know how this happened.

Personal Record

Built a gaming PC AND set a deadlift PR on the same day. He considers the PC build the greater achievement. His deadlift was 495lbs. The PC was a custom liquid-cooled monster that cost more than a car. He has his priorities. They are correct.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people say 'you don't look like a gamer.' He is the world's most jacked gamer. He has 2,000+ hours in The Witcher 3 AND a Superman physique. These are not contradictions. They are his identity. Do not question them.

#27

Vin Diesel

The Family Workout (it's always about family)

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- every exercise is somehow about family, every rep is dedicated to family

Warmup

Stands in the middle of the gym, looks at everyone present, and whispers 'we are a family now.' Nobody asked for this. Everyone accepts it. You are now part of Vin Diesel's gym family. There is no opt-out.

Main Workout

1
The Quarter Mile Sprint

Runs exactly one quarter mile on the treadmill. Not 0.26 miles. Not 0.24. A quarter mile. Because this is what he does. He lives his life a quarter mile at a time. For those 22 seconds, he's free. The treadmill beeps. He stops.

2
Family Bench Press

Bench presses 315lbs while saying the word 'family' at the top of each rep. By set 3, 'family' becomes 'FAMILY.' By set 5, he is yelling 'FAMILIA' in a voice that vibrates through the floor. The bench has become a church. You are witnessing something.

3
Groot Raises (lateral raises)

Does lateral raises while saying 'I am Groot' at varying intensities. Quiet Groot for the light sets. Angry Groot for the heavy sets. Baby Groot voice for the burnout. His trainer has learned to respond only with 'I am Groot.' Their communication is now exclusively Groot.

Cooldown

Hugs every person in the gym. Not a side hug. A full, sincere, Vin Diesel embrace. You are family now. You will always be family. He will text you on your birthday. You did not give him your number. He has it anyway.

Gym Playlist

See You Again (Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth) -- he cries every time. Every. Single. Time.
We Are Family (Sister Sledge) -- structural to the workout. Cannot be removed.
Vin Diesel singing 'Stay' by Rihanna -- a real video that exists, he plays it unironically

Trainer's Testimony

Vin is the most emotionally available client I've ever had. He told me I was family on day one. He tells me I'm family every day. He sends me a Christmas card signed 'From your family.' I've been his trainer for 3 months. I am deeply moved and slightly confused.

Personal Record

Hugged 87 people in one gym session. Each hug was genuine. Each hug lasted at least 4 seconds. Total hugging time: 5 minutes 48 seconds. This is more physical contact than most people have in a month. Vin considers this 'cardio.'

Gym Pet Peeve

When people work out alone. 'You came here BY YOURSELF? No. You came here to be with FAMILY. Drop the headphones. Look around. These are your people now.' (You are now in a group workout you didn't sign up for.)

#28

Gal Gadot

The Wonder Woman Combat Protocol (Amazonian standard)

2 hours

Total Duration

2 hours -- with the grace of a dancer and the intensity of an Israeli Defense Forces veteran

Warmup

Krav Maga drills that would qualify as a full workout for most humans. She did mandatory military service. Your warmup is a few hamstring stretches. Her warmup could neutralize a small threat. You are not the same.

Main Workout

1
Amazonian Sword Circuit

Performs sword choreography with weighted practice swords between strength sets. The circuit is equal parts action movie rehearsal and legitimate functional training. She once accidentally scared a new gym member who walked in during a lunge-and-slash combo.

2
The Lasso of Truth Pull

Cable pulls with a golden rope attachment she brought from home. It's not the Lasso of Truth. It's a regular cable attachment painted gold. But when Gal Gadot uses it, it becomes the Lasso of Truth. The cable machine knows its place.

3
Shield Slam Plyo

Plyometric exercises with a weighted disc she calls 'the shield.' The disc weighs 25lbs. She throws it. She catches it. She throws it again. Normal people use medicine balls. Gal uses a shield. The gym has adapted.

Cooldown

Stretches with the elegance of someone who was a professional model before becoming an action star. Her cooldown looks like a photoshoot. It's not a photoshoot. But it could be. At any moment. The lighting is always perfect around her.

Gym Playlist

Wonder Woman theme (Is She With You?) -- electric cello intensifies with each set
Israeli pop music -- nobody else in the gym knows the words but everyone vibes
Shakira -- because hips don't lie and neither does her deadlift form

Trainer's Testimony

Gal is the only client who has corrected my hand-to-hand combat form. She served in the IDF. I have a personal training certificate from a community college in Arizona. She was polite about it. She's always polite. But her correction was absolute. I have not been the same since.

Personal Record

Performed a full Wonder Woman action sequence after a 90-minute leg workout. Her legs should not have been functional. They were. They were more than functional -- they were cinematic. Her quads don't know the meaning of 'tired.' They weren't taught that word.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people assume she needs help with heavy weights. She served in the military. She has done her own stunts. She can clean-and-jerk your assumptions. Please do not offer to 'grab that for her.'

#29

Margot Robbie

The Barbie Box Office Physique Program

90 minutes of precision training, zero wasted movement, all business

Total Duration

90 minutes of precision training, zero wasted movement, all business

Warmup

Rollerblades into the gym. Not metaphorically. Actual rollerblades. Pink ones. From the Barbie press tour. She never stopped using them. The gym floors are hardwood. She does not care.

Main Workout

1
Harley Quinn Heavy Bag

Beats a heavy bag with a baseball bat and then with her fists. The bat is from the Suicide Squad set. She 'accidentally' took it home. It has been 9 years. Nobody has asked for it back. The bat is hers now. The heavy bag does not survive.

2
The Wolf of Wall Street Stair Sprint

Sprints stairs in heels. Not because she has to. Because 'Naomi Lapaglia would.' She stays in character for workouts related to her roles. She has been 18 characters in the last decade. Her trainer never knows who's showing up.

3
Australian Functional Training

A circuit of exercises that are 'normal in Australia' but alarming everywhere else. Includes burpees on sand (she brings her own sand), pull-ups from a tree branch (she brings her own branch), and sprints in 35-degree heat (she turns off the AC).

Cooldown

Ice bath while reading a screenplay for her next production company project. She's producing, starring, and apparently also doing her own fitness. The ice bath is pink. Everything is pink. It's a lifestyle.

Gym Playlist

Barbie Girl (Aqua) -- ironically at first, sincerely now, there is no going back
AC/DC -- she's Australian, it's required by law
I'm Just Ken -- Ryan Gosling singing, she finds it motivational and also hilarious

Trainer's Testimony

Margot is the most adaptable athlete I've trained. For Harley Quinn, she trained like a gymnast. For Barbie, she trained like a dancer. For I, Tonya, she learned to ice skate in 4 months. Whatever the role requires, she becomes. I'm just here to make sure she doesn't hurt herself with the bat.

Personal Record

Learned to ice skate, rollerblade, surf, and do gymnastics for different roles. She can now do all four in the same day. Her body is a Swiss Army knife. Each blade is a different film character's physicality.

Gym Pet Peeve

When people say Barbie isn't athletic. 'She's been an astronaut, a veterinarian, a president, and an Olympic gymnast. Barbie has more career pivots than anyone in this gym. Barbie is the most accomplished athlete here. Put some respect on her name.'

The Workout Superlatives

Awards nobody asked for, based on routines nobody verified

Most Likely to Make You Quit the Gym

The Rock

His warmup is your entire workout. His 'light day' would hospitalize you. His existence at the gym lowers everyone else's self-esteem by a measurable 47%.

Least Likely to Actually Exercise

Warren Buffett

His workout consists of walking to the fridge and sitting on a stationary bike that has never been pedaled. His Fitbit has filed a missing persons report.

Most Dangerous Gym Partner

Jason Momoa

He brought an axe to the gym. He climbs buildings. He drinks Guinness as a recovery drink. His insurance premiums could fund a small hospital.

Best Gym DJ

Terry Crews

His pecs are the DJ. They bounce to every song independently. The gym's sound system is just a suggestion -- Terry IS the music.

Most Emotionally Available at the Gym

Vin Diesel

He hugged 87 people in one session. He calls everyone family. He cries during See You Again. Every workout is a group therapy session he organized without consent.

Most Likely to Redesign the Gym Equipment

Elon Musk

He renamed lifting weights 'gravitational resistance training,' tried to trademark it, and is building the X-Mill -- a treadmill that walks for you. It does not work. He will not stop.

Universal Laws of Celebrity Fitness

The Buffett Paradox

The less Warren Buffett exercises, the longer he lives. Scientists cannot explain this. His portfolio has better performance metrics than any athlete's body. Cherry Coke is, apparently, the fountain of youth.

The Cruise Constant

Tom Cruise will always do it himself. The bench press. The spotting. The motivation. The timing. If they made a gym that required two people to operate, Tom Cruise would find a way to be both people.

The Diesel Embrace Theorem

Every person in the gym is family. There are no strangers. If you make eye contact with Vin Diesel at the gym, you will be hugged. Resistance is futile. The hug is warm. The hug is sincere. You will text each other.

The Bezos Transformation Law

When a tech CEO goes from 'normal shaped' to 'jacked' in under 18 months, do not ask questions. The answers are classified. The blood work is sealed. The fitness technology does not exist yet. For you.

The Momoa Barefoot Principle

Jason Momoa does not believe in shoes, gym rules, or the structural integrity of yoga balls. He will climb your building. He will bring an axe. He will drink a Guinness as a cooldown. This is non-negotiable.

The Hart Height Compensation Effect

Kevin Hart's workout intensity is inversely proportional to his height and directly proportional to the number of people who have commented on it. Each inch below 6 feet adds 50lbs to his deadlift. Motivation through measurement.

I read through every one of these leaked routines and the main takeaway is that The Rock is not human, Warren Buffett has defeated the concept of exercise itself, and Tom Cruise will never need another person for anything ever. Also, I now feel personally attacked by Kevin Hart's work ethic and I'm 6 feet tall. If he can deadlift 2x his bodyweight while narrating a comedy special, what's my excuse? It's the lighting. It's always the lighting.

G
Glen Bradford

Man who found a USB drive in a gym parking lot and built a career around it

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these real celebrity workout routines?

No. This is a satirical humor piece. None of these workout routines are real, though many are inspired by publicly documented habits -- The Rock really does train at 3:30 AM, Mark Wahlberg really does wake up at 2:30 AM, and Warren Buffett really does eat McDonald's daily. We just imagined what happens when those real traits meet a squat rack.

Does Warren Buffett really not exercise?

Warren Buffett has famously said he eats 'like a six-year-old' and has credited Cherry Coke and McDonald's as staples of his diet. While he's mentioned playing some bridge (the card game) and golf, he's not known for gym workouts. He's 95, worth over $130 billion, and his investment returns are his cardio. The man's portfolio has a lower resting heart rate than most athletes.

Did Elon Musk really claim to invent a new form of exercise?

Not exactly, but he's publicly stated he doesn't do much cardio and has mentioned 'not being a big workout guy.' The joke about him renaming existing exercises from 'first principles' is based on his well-documented approach of claiming to reinvent things that already exist. The X-Mill is not real. Yet. (Please don't build the X-Mill, Elon.)

Who has the most legitimate workout routine on this list?

The Rock, Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Michael B. Jordan are all known for genuinely intense training regimes. The Rock's Iron Paradise home gym is real and extensively documented on social media. LeBron really does spend $1.5 million per year on body maintenance. Serena's athletic dominance is well-documented. Michael B. Jordan's Creed transformations required real boxing training with professional coaches.

Who is Glen Bradford?

Glen Bradford is a Salesforce developer, investor, and author who apparently has strong opinions about how celebrities exercise. He founded Cloud Nimbus LLC, built Delivery Hub for the Salesforce AppExchange, published 9 books, and maintains an investment thesis on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred shares. Follow him on Twitter @DoNotLose.

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