Austin Butler Workout and Diet
Actor
Austin Butler was born in California. A talent agent approached him when he was 13, and Butler quickly discovered he enjoyed acting. After 7th grade, he was homeschooled to accommodate his work schedule; he later passed a high school equivalency test. Butler’s first regular gig as an actor came in 2005 on Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide. In 2008, he landed a regular role on Aliens in the Attic. Later roles include The Carrie Diaries and The Shannara Chronicles, but he is probably best known for playing the lead in Elvis, for which he won a Golden Globe award. Butler has millions of followers on social media. He is 6 feet tall and weighs about 160 lbs.
Jump To:
Austin Butler’s Diet
Diet Summary
Naturally lean, Butler had to pack on the pounds to play Elvis. He took a cue from Ryan Gosling who had gained weight for Lovely Bones by eating lots of junk food, particularly melted ice cream, but the diet made him ill and he ended up wearing a fat suit. He likes things like sushi and grilled fish. He is lactose intolerant and uses oat milk in his coffee. Even his treats are healthy, such as dark chocolate. His diet is best summed up as balanced, including the occasional treat.
Estimated Macros
Medium Fat
Medium Carbs
Medium Protein
Diet Details
How (Not) to Pack on the Lbs.
Butler tried drinking microwaved Haagen-Dazs ice cream and eating donuts by the dozen, but it made him sick.
No Moo
Melted ice cream was a doubly bad idea as Butler is lactose intolerant. He lightens his coffee with oat milk.
No Red Meat
Butler isn’t a fan of beef, but he ate the bacon and peanut butter sandwiches while playing the role of Elvis.
Moderation Is Key
When Butler isn’t prepping for a role, he eats a balanced diet including lean animal protein, fresh fruit and veg, and whole grains.
Cheats Are Okay
Butler eats clean most of the time, but he won’t say not to a treat once in a while.
Hydrate, Hydrate
Butler says he goes through ‘lazy’ periods where he drinks too much coffee and not enough water. He tries to counter this bad habit by carrying a good-quality water bottle.
What to Eat
- Everything in moderation
- Coffee
- Poultry
- Fish
- Vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Whole grains
- Oat milk
- Dark chocolate
- Water
What to Avoid
- Overeating
- Dairy products (intolerance)
- Red meat
- Processed food
- Junk food
- Artificial additives
- Chemical ingredients
Butler on his Elvis diet, take I
‘I really started to pack on some pounds.’
Butler on the Elvis diet, take II
‘It’s fun for a week or so…Then you feel awful.’
Butler on his health after filming Elvis
Butler on his health after filming Elvis
Butler on the best way to enjoy chocolate
‘I’m not a big milk chocolate fan…I’ll do some dark chocolate with some…really cold oat milk. That’s a really good combo.’
Austin Butler’s Workout Routine
Workout Routine
Helping Hand
Butler’s strength and conditioning coach for Elvis was former Olympic swimmer Ryan Gambin.
New Meaning to Hip Thrust
Butler’s Elvis routines were mainly centered on hip moves. The original Elvis started doing his leg shaking out of nervousness, and continued because people liked it.
Not Too Big
Butler had to actually stop lifting because his arms were getting too big to match Elvis’ physique.
Exercise Style
An Austin Butler Routine
- Hip-centric exercises
- HIIT workouts
Butler’s trainer on his commitment
‘He really takes his job seriously.’
Butler’s coach on the focus of the training
‘Obviously Elvis has a lot to do with his hip movement.’
Butler’s trainer on his exercise goals for Elvis
‘We didn’t have any strength goals…we pretty much focused everything around his hips.’
Butler’s trainer on scaling back weightlifting
‘His t-shirts were sitting a little tighter on Butler’s arms than they were on Elvis’.’
Austin Butler’s Supplements
Yerba Mate
Butler enjoys brewing the herbal tea yerba mate, which is said to be as strong as coffee, as healthy as tea, and as delicious as chocolate. Yerba mate is high in antioxidants and boosts focus, energy, and immunity. It may also help you lose weight.
Austin Butler’s Lifestyle
No Rest for the Weary
Butler says he was so jazzed up by playing Elvis that he had trouble sleeping for years afterward.
Major FanBoy
Butler says he relates to Elvis on many levels, including losing his mother at age 23. He says The King is the first person he ever loved without having met him.
Major Physical Toll
The day after filming Elvis wrapped, Butler went to the hospital. He had a virus that produced symptoms similar to appendicitis.
The King Carries On
Butler continued to talk like Elvis for a long time after filming ended. This quirk has been attributed to the intensity of his training for the role, and physically retraining his vocal muscles.
High Praise
Not only did Butler land an Oscar nomination and win a Golden Globe for Best Actor, Elvis also got a 12-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Even the Presley family praised Butler’s portrayal of The King.
Music Man
Butler enjoyed playing music long before he landed the role as Elvis. He got a guitar when he was 12 and would play for hours as a kid. Taking away his guitar was how his parents punished him for bad behavior.
Book Worm
Butler says one thing he always tries to carry with him is a book. He says Tom Hanks told him that reading something every day that has nothing to do with acting is an important part of staying sane in the biz.
Photo Pro
Butler took up photography during the covid lockdown as a way to pass the time and keep himself grounded.
Vote for Vintage
Butler is a fan of vintage clothes, particularly boots and jackets. He likes the mood they create.
Butler on Elvis the man
‘I’ve never loved somebody I’ve never met more than Elvis.’
Butler on Elvis’ music
‘It’s comforting to me now.’
Butler on guitar
‘I would just sit in my room and play for 8 hours a day until my fingers bled.’
Butler on reading
‘I always try to have a book on me.’
Butler on photography
‘I needed something to keep me sane.’
Butler on another reason why he loves photography
‘It feels like Christmas morning every time you get film developed.’
Recommended Products
Gibson Guitar
Ritual Dark Chocolate
Leica M6 Camera
Yerba Mate Tea
Carhartt Jacket
Vintage Boots
Moleskine Notebook