Diet And Fitness Regime Of 'Game Of Thrones' Actor Hafthór Björnsson AKA Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane
How Game Of Thrones' Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane Stays In Shape
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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When you think of Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane from 'Game Of Thrones', there's probably one thing that comes to mind - his size.
Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson is the actor who plays Clegane in the HBO series - and to say he's built is an understatement.
Now, the 6’9” actor has opened up about his intense diet and fitness regime which has seen him bulk up from 230lbs (16 stone 4lbs) to 396lbs (28 stone 2lbs) in seven years.
He's now that strong he can pull a 15-ton plane.
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Speaking to GQ, the Icelandic actor said that he has developed his huge frame by training well, sleeping well and eating well.
Björnsson said that the main reason he has gotten bigger over the years is that he doesn't do much cardio exercise anymore and, instead, he just eats more.
In total, Björnsson eats between six and eight meals every day - that's more than double the meals the average person consumes.
"It’s just like constantly work for me: I have to eat every two hours to maintain my body mass. It is not easy. When I’m filming, I always have to have breaks to eat," he explained.
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His staple diet consists of sweet potatoes and "a lot" of meat (mainly chicken) and fish. He's also a huge fan of cocoa butter, almonds and greens such as spinach, avocado and broccoli.
"I eat very healthy overall - but because of my weight, I need fast carbs, easy carbs. So maybe before a training session or after a training session, I eat what I want," he said.
The training sessions themselves consist of weightlighting and, you guessed it, weightlifting.
Björnsson can deadlift 990lbs and, when he's not doing that, he's pulling trucks and planes which weigh anywhere between 10 and 15 tons.
With feet wider than hip distance apart, turn your toes slightly out. Keep your chest lifted with your belly tight. When lowering towards the ground, open up the hips and angle the knees over the ankles. Hold the squat at the bottom for a count before pushing up slowly back to a standing position. Repeat. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Alternating Lunges With Reach, Step One(02 of09)
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Starting with feet together, slowly step the left leg back, taking your left hand across to touch your right toes. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Alternating Lunges With Reach, Step Two(03 of09)
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Slowly bring your back leg into starting position and alternate between sides. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Supine Chest Fly(04 of09)
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On your back, bring your knees up to 90 degrees, engaging your core. Extend your arms overhead with your palms facing inward, lower the arms down towards the ground, keeping your elbows slightly bent the entire set and exhale as you bring your arms up as if to hug a big bear. Hold your elbows in a slightly flexed position throughout the set. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Staggered Row To Tricep Extension, Step One(05 of09)
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Grab a medium set of dumbbells. Starting with your feet together in a closed-legged squat, bring your arms into your body tightly for a row with your palms facing inward and your shoulders drawing down your back. Squeeze your scapula together tight. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Staggered Row To Tricep Extension, Step Two(06 of09)
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Step your right leg back as you bring your arms back into extension (which works the triceps). Step the right leg in and row the arms in again. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Staggered Row To Tricep Extension, Step Three(07 of09)
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Switch legs to bring your left leg back, bringing your arms into a triceps extension again. Alternate between sides. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Plank Rows, Step One(08 of09)
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With medium weights, place your hands directly underneath your shoulders, your feet hip-distance apart in plank pose. Balance on your hands and toes. (credit:Jerry Lin)
Plank Rows, Step Two(09 of09)
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With your core engaged, row the arm tightly into the body, drawing your scapula in towards the centre of your back. Stabilize through the body, avoiding hip rotation. Lower the weight to the ground. Alternate between sides. (credit:Jerry Lin)