AUSTIN BUTLER is known for being method, immersing himself into the personalities and mannerisms of the characters he plays, be it Elvis, a World War II bomber pilot, a taciturn ’70s biker or the psychotic son of a tyrannical emperor.
Rippling muscles haven’t really been required for any of Butler’s roles – but the fact that he has them certainly hasn’t hurt his stardom. For his most recent film, Caught Stealing, in which he plays a former baseball star turned bartender named Hank, Butler wanted to look like an athlete, but not a superhero.
To pull off the transformation, Butler trained for months to build biceps like a bell curve, chiselled abs and capped shoulders. This is how he did it.
How Austin Butler trained for Caught Stealing
A baseball player’s physique was Butler’s reference point throughout his training. Aronofsky would send him pictures of baseball players, so he could see what he was working towards. “I actually have a whole section of just baseball players’ asses that he would send me,” Butler said in his cover story. “He was like, ‘Look how thick they are!’ ”
He worked with trainer Beth Lewis, who had him training six or seven days a week, prioritising functional movements that would help him build strength while also improving his mobility. He did everything from balancing on a BOSU ball to one-arm kettlebell moves, and “a tonne of hip thrusters.”
Eventually he achieved the desired size in his hindquarters. “I’ve got a whole section of Celine pants that I just can’t even wear anymore,” he said.
How Austin Butler ate for Caught Stealing
When Butler began meeting with Aronofsky before production on Caught Stealing was underway, he had a very slight frame. He weighed only 68kg when he started training, and six months later, he was up to 84kg.
Butler’s diet was crucial in adding bulk. While Hank is a former baseball star, he is also a bartender with a drinking problem. To avoid appearing overly cut, Butler ate constantly, with a lot of pizza and beer. On healthier days, Butler subsisted on omelettes, chicken kebabs and the occasional steak. It’s not exactly what you’d expect from a Men’s Health cover star, but this is a classic example of how the simplest way to gain or lose weight is calorie management.
