This is Hugh Jackman’s personal trainer’s strength workout, and you can try it at home too

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the sculpted physiques of Hollywood’s elite, Gunnar Peterson is a name you’ll hear often. The Beverly Hills-based strength coach has trained stars like Hugh Jackman and elite athletes such as the LA Lakers. Now, he’s sharing a home-friendly workout that blends strength, flexibility, and cardio into one powerhouse session. Spoiler alert: It’s all about strategic effort.

Gunnar’s approach works for everyone, from actors to everyday fitness enthusiasts. His signature method combines compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, ensuring every session targets your upper body, lower body, and core. No problem if you don’t have any fancy equipment. The workout includes simple swaps to replicate Hollywood-grade results with basic elements like dumbbells and bodyweight. Let’s explore his method in more detail.

Gunnar Peterson’s training method

Gunnar’s philosophy is straightforward: “The goal is to get [my clients] where they want to go, from a performance standpoint and of course from an aesthetics standpoint”. His programs seamlessly blend strength training, mobility work, and cardio to create balanced and functional fitness routines. Whether you’re lifting heavy or pushing through a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, his methods ensure every aspect of fitness is addressed.

With an impressive roster of clients, including Matthew McConaughey, Sylvester Stallone, and the LA Lakers, Gunnar has a proven track record of delivering real results. His success lies in avoiding gimmicks and focusing on multi-planar movements that enhance stability, coordination, and power. Even if gyms aren’t your thing, these exercises can slot into your existing routine or stand alone as a full session.

Hugh Jackman’s home workout, step by step

Now, let’s get to the workout. All you need is dumbbells (or household substitutes like water jugs), a pull-up bar (or sturdy overhead surface), and space to move.

1. Farmers walk (2–3 sets): No treadmill with an 11% incline? Hold heavy dumbbells at your sides, walk 10–15 steps, and add a shrug every 4 steps. Complete 8–10 shrugs per set.
2. Belt squat (3 sets of 10 reps): If you don’t have a belt machine, do staggered squats. 2 sets of 6–8 reps per leg.
3. Lateral lunge with chop (3 sets of 10–15 reps per side): Replace a ViPR or bar with a dumbbell. Lunge sideways, rotate the torso toward the forward leg, and then return.
4. Traveling pull-up (3 sets of 6–8 reps): If you use a short pull-up bar, shift sideways between reps to engage more muscles.
5. Athletic press (3 sets of 4–6 reps): Swap the Sorinex machine for a dumbbell push press to torch your shoulders.
6. Interactive plank (3 rounds of 1 minute each): Skip the Stealth unit and try shoulder tap planks or add leg lifts for intensity.
7. Snatch (3 sets of 4–6 reps per arm): Use a single-arm dumbbell snatch if you lack specialized equipment.
8. HIIT cardio finisher (6–8 minutes of 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off): Alternatives could be jump rope, sprints, rowing, or mountain climbers.

This routine offers a glimpse into the regimen that keeps A-listers like Hugh Jackman in blockbuster shape, all while adapting to your living room. With minimal gear and maximal effort, you’re just one workout away from transforming your fitness and achieving your personal best.