Charlie Hunnam isn’t just playing tough guys—he is a tough guy. Whether he’s rocking the cut as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, swinging a broadsword as King Arthur, or surviving the jungle in The Lost City of Z, the man brings serious dedication to his training. And we’re not just talking about looking good on screen—Hunnam’s workouts are as hardcore as the characters he plays.
So, what’s his secret? Is it some Hollywood trainer barking orders? A magic diet pill? Nope. It’s discipline, hard work, and an old-school, no-BS approach to fitness.
The Sons of Anarchy Grind: Bodyweight Beast Mode
When Hunnam was riding with SAMCRO, his workout routine was simple, raw, and relentless. No fancy gym, no celebrity trainer. Just pull-up bars, push-ups, and pure grit.
Here’s a breakdown of what he did to keep Jax Teller looking like he could throw down at any moment:
- 75 pull-ups
- 75 dips
- 150 squats
- 150 push-ups
- 20-minute abs session
That’s it. All bodyweight, all about endurance and functional strength. He wasn’t trying to be the biggest guy in the room—he wanted that lean, wiry look, like a guy who’s been in a few bar fights and come out on top. And judging by how he looked on Sons, mission accomplished.
King Arthur: Packing on 20 Pounds of Muscle
For King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Hunnam had to level up. Jax Teller was a scrappy street fighter—King Arthur needed to be bigger, stronger, and capable of wielding a medieval weapon like he actually knew what he was doing.
So, he hit the iron. Hard.
He focused on heavy compound lifts—squats, deadlifts, bench presses—paired with combat training. He also incorporated boxing, sword fighting, and MMA-style drills, not just to build muscle but to move like a warrior. By the time filming started, he had packed on 20 pounds of muscle, giving Arthur the kind of presence that says, “Yeah, I’ll fight you—and I’ll win.”
Charlie Hunnam’s Daily Training Philosophy
The thing about Hunnam? He doesn’t just train for roles—he trains because it makes him feel like a better man.
“I feel happier, more confident, and more positive when I work out,” he says. “And I feel like I’m a better actor because of the clarity it gives me.”
His go-to workouts now? A mix of:
- Running – Great for endurance and clearing the head.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – He trains under Rigan Machado, one of the best in the game.
- Swimming – Low impact, high endurance, full-body work.
- Bodyweight training – Keeps the joints healthy and the core strong.
He’s not about getting big—he’s about staying ready.
The Hunnam Diet: No BS, Just Fuel
Of course, you can’t out-train a bad diet, and Hunnam eats like a guy who wants to stay shredded. His diet is built on clean, natural foods—no gimmicks, no weird Hollywood fads.
Here’s a typical day on his plate:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal, eggs, and fruit. Fuel for the morning grind.
- Snack: Protein shake—quick and easy recovery.
- Lunch: Chicken breast, brown rice, and greens. Basic but effective.
- Dinner: Steak or fish with veggies. Lean protein, no junk.
When he had to lean down for The Lost City of Z, he took things even further, cutting out dairy, refined carbs, and sugar. Basically, if it wasn’t from the earth, he didn’t eat it.
His one non-negotiable? Vegetable juice every day. “The secret to a long and happy life,” he says.
Mental Toughness: The Real Secret to His Success
Hunnam doesn’t just train his body—he trains his mind.
He’s big on meditation, discipline, and pushing himself beyond his limits. That’s why, before taking on new roles, he’s done things like:
- Training in Shaolin Kung Fu at the legendary Shaolin Temple in China. (Four hours of silent meditation a day—yeah, this guy goes all in.)
- Learning Jiu-Jitsu to test himself against some of the best grapplers in the world.
- Sticking to brutal military-style training regimens just to see how far he can push his endurance.
For Hunnam, fitness isn’t just about looking good—it’s about being good. Strong, focused, and always ready for the next challenge.
Final Takeaway: Train Like Hunnam
If you want to train like Charlie Hunnam, forget the fancy gym memberships and overpriced supplements. Do this instead:
- Bodyweight workouts every day. Push-ups, dips, squats, pull-ups. No excuses.
- Lift heavy when you need to bulk up. Stick to the basics—squats, deadlifts, presses.
- Move like a fighter. Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, MMA—train for real-world strength.
- Eat clean, stay lean. Whole foods, lean proteins, and no processed junk.
- Train your mind as much as your body. Meditation, discipline, and focus.
Hunnam doesn’t train for vanity—he trains for life. And if you take a page from his playbook, you’ll be stronger, sharper, and ready for whatever comes next.
Now, drop and give me 75 push-ups.
