The Workout Secrets Of Tom Hopper
Muscle & Fitness|March 2019

Tom Hopper, star of the new Netflix show The Umbrella Academy, may be a well-mannered English gentleman. But in the gym, he’s a beast. Discover the keys to his fitness badassery.

Shawn Donnelly
The Workout Secrets Of Tom Hopper

On the new Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, Tom Hopper plays a character who possesses superstrength. And right now, it looks like the actor shares the same superpower.

We’re at the ultra-exclusive Performix House gym near Manhattan’s Union Square, and Hopper is putting on something of a clinic. As a photographer snaps picture after picture, Hopper holds himself in midair on the gymnastics rings for what feels like ages, keeping his hands close to his sides, his body arrow-straight, and his face totally relaxed, as if the feat were effortless. It’s a bit like Vince Vaughn’s “still holding” gymnastics scene from Old School, only without the assistance of CGI (and definitely without the cigarette).

After this, the 6'5", 210-pound Hopper will knock out a few dozen ring dips, slam a pair of battle ropes against the ground until it feels like the floor is going to crumble, and shove a sled loaded with hundreds of pounds of iron down a strip of artificial turf. All with the politeness of a debonair English prince.

The kicker? This isn’t even Hop per’s first workout of the morning. The actor trained at a different gym before the shoot just to get his blood pumping.

Such is life for Hopper, who seems determined to be as healthy and fit as humanly possible. Which is how you end up with a physique like Hopper’s: tiny waist, big shoulders, substantial pecs and biceps, and a V-taper in full effect. He looks like a cross between an Olympic swimmer and a professional rugby player. With, to top it off, the handsome face of a model.

“The thing with Tom is he takes such good care of his body,” says Sam Rosati, a friend who worked with Hopper in Toronto on the production of The Umbrella Academy. “Whenever Tom is in Toronto, the city experiences a shortage of chicken breasts.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSCLE & FITNESSView all
7 Things Fitness Insiders Want You To Know
Muscle & Fitness

7 Things Fitness Insiders Want You To Know

We asked seasoned coaches and trainers in the fitness industry for tips and advice that they wish all their clients and social media followers knew. From dispelling myths about training with injuries to assuming all box gyms suck, your training IQ is all but guaranteed to rise a few points after digesting these tidbits.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2020
GRAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES
Muscle & Fitness

GRAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES

Fitness entrepreneur James Grage ditched the gym for resistance band workouts to spend more time with his family. Judging by his results, he won’t be returning anytime soon.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
GO TO BED TIRED
Muscle & Fitness

GO TO BED TIRED

Forget brains, talent, or genetics. For Special Forces operator and former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy, hard work is the most important factor to a rewarding life.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
FINE ART: CHISELING A COMPETITION-QUALITY UPPER BODY
Muscle & Fitness

FINE ART: CHISELING A COMPETITION-QUALITY UPPER BODY

How physique competitor Osamoje Imoohi shaped his mind and impressive body through fitness.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
Light Up Your Legs
Muscle & Fitness

Light Up Your Legs

Juan Morel’s continued quest for bodybuilding’s top prize begins with his killer leg workout.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
ROMAN'S SECOND REIGN
Muscle & Fitness

ROMAN'S SECOND REIGN

After being sidelined with leukemia in 2018, WWE Superstar Roman Reigns returned bigger and stronger—both inside and outside the ring.

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2020
COOL RUNNINGS
Muscle & Fitness

COOL RUNNINGS

To break out of his fitness funk, M&F ’s chief content officer, Zack Zeigler, challenged himself to complete a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a 24-hour, 30-mile Spartan Race all in a week’s time.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2020
THE FUTURE OF STEROIDS
Muscle & Fitness

THE FUTURE OF STEROIDS

M&F explores the advancements being made to PEDs, emerging drugs, and what this all means for the future of bodybuilding and other sports

time-read
9 mins  |
April 2020
BRAIN FOOD
Muscle & Fitness

BRAIN FOOD

These seven foods will nourish your body and sharpen your mind.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2020
THE MODERN RUNNING SHOE...DISSECTED
Muscle & Fitness

THE MODERN RUNNING SHOE...DISSECTED

More innovations have been made in the past decade to the running shoe than ever before, resulting in a product so efficient it was almost banned from all running events. Here are the major changes that have led us to the pinnacle of performance footwear.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2020