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Ryan Phillippe's workout

Ryan Phillippe is 36 now. It’s the age when most men start watching their gut begin to sag and worrying about a lack of lead in their pencil. Yet for Phillippe, his mid-thirties have been the moment when life starts. Take heart from his story and it could be when life begins anew for you, too.

“You could argue with my age that it’s close to midlife,” says Phillippe. “But I really feel like it’s a rebirth. I feel more like myself than I have in 10 years, and more motivated and capable than I have in a long time. I think that’s a great feeling to have at 36.”

It’s also impressive, given how the past few years have been rough for the actor, who shot to fame in films like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Cruel Intentions. There was the collapse of his seven-year marriage to Reese Witherspoon in 2006, the very public allegations of his affair with Aussie actress Abbie Cornish (the couple split in February), and the string of box-office underperformers that included Stop Loss and Breach.

It’s no surprise Phillippe felt drained at times – not a good thing in an industry that demands on-call excitement.

“I thought the more experience you had, the more certain you would be about life,” he says. “But I’m finding the opposite. I’m more in wonder than I was in my twenties.”

Staying in shape has helped keep the actor on track. “It’s so good for me in terms of balance and mood.

It does a lot for my mind,” he says. “Staying fit in your thirties, it’s not easy. You have to work twice as hard for half the results. But I think it’s something all men need to consider. It really benefits the ageing process if you are fit. It makes getting older easier, or less unpleasant, anyway.”

Phillippe turns to his children for motivation. “I like feeling strong,” he says. “I want to throw my kids up in the air and wrestle them. Working out has become about functionality. I want my head clearer, I want to relieve the stress, and I want to feel capable and strong.”


RYAN PHILLIPPE’S FULL-BODY WORKOUT

Phillippe has worked with the same trainer for 10 years and is as consistent in the gym as anyone you’ll find. The simple key to maintaining that kind of focus: “Variety, so he isn’t bored,” says his trainer, Happy Hill. Here, Phillippe blends cardio work with heavy weights and adds plyometrics for a comprehensive challenge.

THE PLAN
Complete this workout three times a week for four weeks, and rest at least one day after each training session. For each circuit, rest for 30 seconds after each exercise and for two minutes after you finish all five.

WARM-UP
Three-kilometre run, followed by Swiss-ball crunches (three sets of 20 reps).

First Circuit

Barbell squat
15 reps

Hanging leg raise
1 set of 20 reps

Dumbbell bench press
15 reps

Squat jump
15 reps

Plyometric push-up

(try a push-up with a clap) 15 reps

Second circuit

Close-grip chin-up
10 reps

Hanging leg raise
1 set of 20 reps

Dumbbell lunge

10 reps

Body-weight split jump

10 reps each leg

Wide-grip lat pulldown
15 reps