What it takes to have the body of the stars...

Taylor Lautner, Ryan Reynolds, Gerard Butler, Christian Bale, Will Smith... I could go on. All Hollywood actors who underwent a massive transformation of their bodies for a film. On camera, they look cut, ripped and lean as if chiseled out of stone. You wanna look like that too, right? Who really wouldn't?

Can it be done?

The media has put into our minds the ideal image of man: Well muscles (but not over-muscles, that was the '80s), incredibly lean (usually around or under 5% body fat), and a rack of abs you could great cheese on. But is this a realistic image for an average guy?

My answer is, it depends. It depends on a few things:

• Time: In the lead up to films, actors will easily train up to 4 hours a day, as well as their nutrition being constantly monitored (though, those who are already fit will have a lot less work to do, just getting rid of the last bit of fat). You can certainly do this over a longer period with less exercise, but you will need to be devoted to training, never skip a workout, and eat perfectly
• A Solid Plan: The thing most people when exercising fall up on is this. They just go to the gym, lift a few weights every week, and think that will do them. You need to have something solid: What kind of weights your going to lift, how many reps, what movement, how long, how often. If you're a novice, i recommend going to the gym and getting a good personal trainer, the best the gym has to offer. If you care enough, it will be worth the extra cash.

• Devotion: How many people do you know who make a new years resolution to go to the gym, or to get fit, and who 2weeks to 2months later are back to their old ways? That is partially to do with the other 2 above, but no workout plan, no matter how brilliant, will work if you are not devoted. Remember your motivation. Make it habit.  

 If you have all of this, then in my eyes there is no reason why you can't do it. But here are a few things you have to remember, that a lot of articles boasting a Hollywood workout forget:

• It doesn't always come quickly. Generally if you are training intensely and correctly, your fat will disappear pretty quick, but muscle takes a long time to build (good quality muscle, that is). Be patient, Stick at it. remember your motivation.
• Actors in films don't always look like that. Firstly, the majority of them get 'pumped' for a scene when they've got their shirt off. By that I mean they'll do some quick intense exercise before shooting starts to get blood pumping into their muscles to make them look bigger and more defined. This is false and not permanent definition often used by bodybuilders.
• Following on from the last point, they will be at their absolute peak of fitness at the time of filming. Although for the duration of the film they will be around 5% body fat, for the rest of the year, they most likely sit around the 10-12% mark, exercising a lot, but enjoying the party lifestyle that probably comes with being an A-list celeb. 

What you should really be doing is getting to the point where you are around 8-12% body fat, your abs are showing, fairly ripped but not as ripped as you can be, then 3/4 weeks before say a holiday or whatever, burn off the last few bits. I highly recommend this free ebook on getting super lean for a holiday or whatever you want really. 

Another quick note is if you're looking into fitness modeling, a similar principle applies, however you will often be given very little notice before a shoot, and they will probably be more regular, so you should be maintaining a healthy diet much more of the time, and resting around 7-10% body fat all year round.