A muscular physique may not be essential to fighting and defeating monsters and such, but it would sure help a bit. When Netflix’s The Witcher posed many such challenges to Geralt of Rivia, Henry Cavill knew that he would have to reassess his already spectacular physique. The British actor has always been a fitness enthusiast but the fight scenes and shirtless moments in The Witcher meant that his already buff exterior required a touch-up. Not to forget the demanding schedule he had to keep up with. 

To ensure he was physically ready to meet these needs, here is what the Argylle actor did. 

Henry Cavill incorporated these things into his routine for The Witcher

In 2019, Cavill told Men’s Health that while shooting The Witcher, his diet included four meals as well as protein shakes, which is a supplement he swears by, twice a day! He facilitated this strict diet with a rigorous exercise regime, which ultimately led to achieving the “best shape” of his life! However, that did not mean he did not indulge in some guilty pleasures once in a while. 

Since The Witcher was shot in Budapest, it meant that his cheat meals consisted of burgers from an Italian restaurant. This took his calories sometimes 60, sometimes “40 per cent over” his required intake. Evidently, his dedicated training reduced his indulgences’ effects to a minimum considering how fit he looked in it. Well, his fitness level also enabled him to perform his stunts himself!

As impressive as his physique is today, this was not always the case. 

When Cavill was asked to reduce weight for a movie

During an interview with Josh Horowitz last year, Cavil revealed that he was a “chubby kid” who was nicknamed “fat Cavill” when young. Apparently, the 40-year-old was “overweight” from ages 13 to 16! So, when he landed one of his earliest roles in The Count of Monte Cristo as a 17-year-old, “the producers called” his mother asking that he lose “14 pounds” for it, which was a “large percentage” of his weight at the time!

The Man of Steel star went on to remark that he was glad that health and fitness advice is readily available nowadays. Not only that, but he also felt that even though “social media” might be “all lies”, it serves as a great inspiration for the youth. According to him, the ‘lies’ help youngsters set a “goal” that they would be willing to work for.

What do you think of Cavill’s fitness regime from The Witcher days? Share your thoughts in the comments.