The Action Hero Body: The Complete Workout Secrets from Hollywood's Top Trainer

by Jorgen de Mey

Trainer to the stars Jørgen de Mey reveals the unique program he has used to transform the bodies of action-hero film stars Angelina Jolie, Ben Affleck, and many other superstars

When movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer needs an actor to get physically prepared for a role in one of his adventure films (Black Hawk Down, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) the first thing he does is call Jørgen de Mey. The results de Mey produces in a short amount of time are astonishing. Now this legendary trainer--convinced that his "action-reaction" method of nutrition and physical training can help any healthy person reach his or her personal best--details a three-stage workout that in just 3 weeks will start to show positive changes: more endurance, increased strength, weight loss, signs of a more muscular body, and better cardiovascular output. De Mey's unique sequencing of workouts combined with his focus on "clean" foods and a special, protein-rich diet will have readers action hero fit with a blockbuster body in no time.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 2005

Reviews

[Polt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book if you have absolutely no idea where to start in your fitness journey, or are knowledgeable in one area but not another (e.g. exercises but not nutrition). However, if you have done any amount of research into fitness and maintaining your health, this book just repeats or rephrases a lot of information that you (should) already know. It's still a good book, just not helpful to my personal journey. I recommend for an absolute beginner.

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me sum this one up for you:

When you can afford to pay a personal trainer whose credentials include "trained his brother for a show" enough that he can afford to work exclusively or with only a handful of people at a time, then he can apply the ideal combination of self-righteousness and bro-science to your already superior physical genetic make-up to get you into the best shape of your life.

And now, even if you can't afford to pay him, you can still get access to the self-righteous bro-science! Leave this one on the shelf. It's not worth the space it takes.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know, the title really s...s. But the book does present a really good general workout concept. Once you have got through the first pages that really are not necessary, you a get very effective workout plans and excellent advice on nutrition best practices. I learned very much from this book and recommend it for anyone who wants to really feel in good shape. It isn't easy in the beginning. But is very effective. It is also not about a short term program you do for a few months but about changing habits that you have got used to and are not making you feel good over time. This is by far the best book on this topic I have seen. It presents a very holistic approach that I really recommend.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how he explains the types of sets you do - first set at 50% capacity, second at 70 and third (or more) at 85-95%. Good photos for the exercises too. I also learned that when you work out a muscle, the first exercises should be the ones that also include the secondary muscles. Then the last ones for that muscle should be the total isolation exercises so you are only targeting that muscle the most. He gives you those exercises and whether they are Basic, Concentration, and Isolation. Good stuff.