Jake Gyllenhaal is starring in the upcoming remake of Road House, based on the 1989 classic starring Patrick Swayze. In director Doug Linman's reimagining, Gyllenhaal plays an ex-UFC middleweight fighter who ends up working at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys, "where things are not as they seem."
Naturally, Swayze left some pretty chiseled shoes to fill, and playing a former UFC fighter meant that Gyllenhaal would have to get into immaculate shape for the role. The 42-year-old actor managed to do just that, revealing his Road House body while shooting scenes at the MGM Grand Garden Arena back in March.
Jake Gyllenhaal and former UFC fighter Jay Heiron film a scene for the Road House remake after #UFC285 ceremonial weigh-ins. ???? pic.twitter.com/jl48bOXIbv
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 4, 2023
According to the actor's personal trainer, however, that part was a piece of cake.
Speaking with Insider, Jason Walsh, Gyllenhaal's trainer of eight years, detailed some of the workouts his client used to get himself into incredible shape. Though, he concedes that it wasn't difficult since Gyllenhaal is "the perfect specimen" with an unparalleled level of commitment and dedication.
Apparently, when he's in full swing, Gyllenhaal even has to be told to take a "rest day."
"If he's not in the gym doing strength training and conditioning, he's swimming, he's outside playing paddle tennis, he cycles like crazy," Walsh explained. "The guy does everything. He's just always looking for that stimulus."
Walsh admits that while Gyllenhaal does have a weakness for sugar, that it's actually beneficial in the long run, as carbs and sugar are necessary to tone up. "When your body fat gets to a certain level, you need fuel and a constant trickle of energy because you don't have stored energy, i.e. fat," he said.
Another workout that Gyllenhaal relies on is taking VersaClimber classes at Walsh's New York-based fitness studio, Rise Nation. He says that "VersaClimber workouts mimic our primal climbing and crawling movements and are an effective way to boost cardiovascular fitness."
"He was going there a lot especially since we were trying to get him into UFC fighter shape," Walsh added.
In addition to the grueling fitness routine, Gyllenhaal also worked with a dietitian and chef to get his nutrition on track.
Although an exact release date hasn't been announced, Road House is expected to be released by Amazon Studio sometime later in 2023, so we can witness Gyllenhaal's hard work and transformation for ourselves.
