Will Poulter Workout and Diet
Actor
William Poulter is English. He attended the elite Harrodian school and has been an actor since childhood. His first big role was playing Eustace Scrubb in the 2010 film Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Poulter received critical acclaim for his role in the 2013 movie We’re the Millers, but he is probably best known for starring in The Maze Runner series (2014-’18). He received a Supporting Actor Emmy nomination for Dopesick, and in 2023 joined MCU as Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3. Poulter has over a million followers on social media. He is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs about 175 lbs.
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Will Poulter’S Diet
Diet Summary
Poulter had to get into superhero shape for his role in GoG, and says he was ‘sworn to secrecy’ by Marvel to not reveal the details of his diet, but their fitness regiment is pretty well known: lots of nutritious (but somewhat boring) food when bulking, and then a strict no-carb, no salt, no sugar, barely any water diet when prepping for those shirtless scenes. He worked with nutritionist Aaron Deere, and he says his diet varied greatly from having to force feed himself to going hungry. He is very happy to be done with that role and eats a much more manageable diet when left to his own devices.
Estimated Macros
Variable Fat
Variable carb
Variable Protein
Diet Details
Eat Clean to Get Lean
Poulter’s GoG diet was no-nonsense, and also top secret. But it’s a good bet that it involved a lot of chicken breast and broccoli.
A Full Time Job
Poulter says that his GoG diet took over his life, making it impossible to even go out to dinner with friends.
Happy Medium
Poulter returned to a more moderate eating plan to maintain his physique after finishing with filming, and he says he couldn’t be happier. One of the things he missed during filming: dessert, especially in the form of milk bar pie.
What to Eat
- Lean protein: chicken breast, turkey, bison
- Leafy greens
- Low-carb veg
- Complex carbs
- Olive oil
- Water
What to Avoid
- Fatty meats
- Refined sugar
- Empty-calorie foods
- Processed foods
- Salt
- Junk food
- Artificial additives
- Chemicals
Poulter on his specialized Marvel diet
‘I’ve gone through periods of looking at food and feeling like I can’t face it, and then you blink and the next minute you’re ready to eat furniture because you’re so hungry.’
Poulter on his GoG eating plan
‘It’s…a very, very specific diet, not particularly civilized at times. Quantities of food you wouldn’t want to ingest, and other times, not enough food.’
Poulter on his post-GoG diet
‘I’m not eating copious amounts of food to bulk, and I’m not cutting. I’m just maintaining my weight.’
Poulter on milk bar pie
‘One of the most beautiful mistakes ever made.’
Will Poulter’S Workout Routine
Workout Routine
Look the Part
Marvel actors must look a certain way, but Poulter said that having ‘real’ muscles was also important for him, to promote a genuine look, not an unattainable one.
Helping Hand
Poulter worked with Dr Ben Carraway and trainer Darrell Richards who he says got him more than halfway to his fitness goal when he signed on for GoG.
Daily Dose
Poulter had to keep the details of his GoG role under wraps, but it’s no secret that Marvel works its stars hard in the months leading up to filming.
Superhero Posture
Poulter’s trainer says the key to looking like a superhero is being big but also flexible. Poulter did many exercises to maintain his mobility while growing his muscles.
Exercise Style
A Will Poulter Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Routine According to MSN
- Supine straight leg posture bridge: lie on your back, legs straight, head & heels on a yoga block. Pull toes toward you, press down the back of the skull as you push up elbows and hips. Hold for 5 seconds, relax for 5 seconds. Repeat 10-15x.
Advances variation: lift 1 elbow or heel off ground, alternating with each rep. - Farmer’s walk w/ towel grip: Loop towel through weight, grab both hands with underhand grip. Keeping arms rigid, walk for 30-45 sec, keeping head and neck aligned. Rest for 90-120 sec. Do 3 sets.
- Bench supported dumbbell rows: 10-12 reps x 3 sets, 90 sec rest between sets
- Standing biceps curl: 10-12 reps x 3 sets, 90 sec rest between sets
- Leg press: 8-10 reps x 3 sets, 90 sec rest between sets
- Triceps rope pull downs: 12-14 reps x 3 sets, 90 sec rest be-tween sets
Poulter on prepping for a Marvel role
‘The whole social side of your life has to take a back seat.’
Poulter on Marvel training
‘It’s difficult talking about it because with Marvel, it’s all secret squirrel…The most important thing is that your mental and physical health has to be #1.’
Poulter on growing ‘real’ muscles
‘Aesthetic goals have to be secondary, otherwise you end up promoting something that is unhealthy and unrealistic.’
Poulter on his Marvel training routine
‘I’m in a very privileged position…and I wouldn’t recommend anyone do what I did to get ready for that job.’
Will Poulter’S Supplements
Poulter is keeping his supplement regimen a secret for now, so below are options that may benefit anyone following a similar diet plan.
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes were certainly part of Poulter’s GoG diet. Protein grows muscle, reduces recovery time and curbs hunger.
BCAAs
Another top pick for those who are serious about getting in shape is BCAAs which provide the triple benefit of feeding, maintaining and repairing muscle.
Glutamine
Also essential for growth is glutamine, and it’s good for digestion too.
Creatine
Likewise on the superhero list is creatine for its ability to provide energy and boost muscle growth.
Probiotics
Eating clean is essential for getting ripped, and to get the most out of your food, probiotics are a smart choice.
Multivitamin
Poulter’s Marvel diet was heavily monitored but it could also be limited; a multivitamin is always a good dietary insurance plan.
Will Poulter’S Lifestyle
High Tech Relaxation
Poulter considers the Calm app to be a must-have. He uses it for many things, including guided meditation and music to help him sleep.
Escape from Being Dys-ed
Poulter was diagnosed both with dyspraxia (lack of coordination) and dyslexia (difficulty reading), which led to his being bullied in school. Acting offered a break from all of those things.
First Love
Poulter says that his first experience with acting in the comedy Son of Rambow was the reason he fell in love with acting.
Upper Crust Education
Poulter attended the elite Harrodian school in London, which can also name actors Robert Pattinson, Tom Sturridge and Jack Whitehall among its alumni.
The Most Challenging Role
Poulter says that The Revenant filmed for 8 months in inhospitable conditions were incredibly challenging, and he can’t imagine doing anything harder.
Football Fan
Poulter keeps a soccer ball in his trailer on set and kicks it around with fellow actors as a break from acting. He has been a fan of the soccer team Arsenal since he was a kid, despite all the ups and downs of the team.
All-Around Health Advocate
Besides his learning differences, Poulter has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and OCD. He uses his social media to promote mental health and prevent suicide, as well as to promote awareness for prostate and testicular cancer.
Poulter on his film debut role
‘I don’t know if I would be so in love with what I do if I hadn’t had such an amazing first experience.’
Poulter on acting & giving back
‘As with my acting, it’s important that the projects I do have a sociopolitical impact.’
Poulter on neurodivergence
‘People who are neurodiverse [are] framed negatively, but actually it makes them special; it makes them more advanced. There are definitely things that I use as an actor to make me better at my job.’
Poulter on his prime roles
‘Anxious? Socially awkward? I’m your man.’
Poulter on acting for The Revenant
‘I find acting enough of a challenge at room temperature.’
Recommended Products
Calm App
Nike Zoom Fly
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
Plain Black T-shirt
Ear Buds
Milk Bar Pie
Zak Eyewear
Soccer Ball
APC Scented Candles
Reusable Canvas Shopping Bag
