Lean like Wolverine: At 55 years old, actor Hugh Jackman got back into fighting (and spandex) shape for Deadpool & Wolverine which hit theaters on Jul. 26, 2024 and has since grossed over a billion dollars worldwide.

“I am grateful,” said Jackman of the body that has allowed him to perform as one of the most iconic superheroes in comic history for over two decades.

[Related: Best Fat Burners for Getting Shredded]

Actor Josh Gad joked with Jackman, saying, “I can’t believe how alike our bodies are,” on social media. Jackman will turn 56 on Oct. 12 and certainly hasn’t lost a step.

Hugh Jackman: Getting Fit After 50

If you want to follow in Jackman’s footsteps but are worried you may have missed the boat, fret not. While high-profile actors are provided the time and resources they need to get into impeccable shape for blockbusters like Deadpool & Wolverine, there’s no such thing as “too late” when it comes to losing fat, building muscle, and improving your health as a whole:

In 2018, Fernandes et al. (1) observed no significant differences between men in their 20s and those aged 35-54 regarding the rate of perceived exertion, power output, and velocity loss between sets of squats. 

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In plain English, your body retains the capability to perform athletically and build muscle well into late middle age. But what about burning fat?

A massive2021 study, involving over 6,000 participants from 29 countries concluded that human metabolism does not meaningfully decrease between ages 20 and 60. (2)

The idea that metabolism slows after your 20s is a myth largely perpetuated by changes in physical activity level and eating habits that accompany adulthood. We spend more time at our desks and fewer hours per week performing vigorous exercise, true — but the deck is not stacked against you at a physiological level in most cases.

If you find Jackman’s consistency inspiring (we certainly do), you might want to check out some of these resources from BarBend to ensure you start your journey on the right foot:

References

Fernandes, J.F.T.; Lamb, K.L.; Twist, C. Internal Loads, but Not External Loads and Fatigue, Are Similar in Young and Middle-Aged Resistance-Trained Males during High Volume Squatting Exercise †. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2018, 3, 45.

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Featured Image: @thehughjackman / Instagram

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