“It’s not a very serious science manual, but it’s a serious motivational manual,” Waterson said, explaining his approach to sharing his tricks of the trade, which included detailing the more relatable aspects of these actors’ fitness journeys. Craig, for instance, worked his ass off all week but then got to enjoy his weekend pints.
“The honesty of it is that somebody else can’t do it for you, the reps, the miles,” the expert (who may not be able to do it for you but does usually work out right alongside his clients) said. “I’m just there to motivate, though a lot of actors are so highly motivated, I spend a lot of my time trying to demotivate, like, ‘Please, listen, just have a rest, put your feet up and have a beer.'”
For instance, while getting Tom Hiddleston, a rugby player and cross-country runner in earlier years, into extra-buff shape for Kong: Skull Island, Waterson recalled, “I’m trying to go, ‘Tom, please stop doing all the miles, you’ve got a film to make!'”
