Personal Trainer Luke Zocchi reveals Chris Hemsworth’s weird workout habit
Chris Hemsworth’s best friend and personal trainer has revealed the surprise motivating move the Hollywood actor always makes when exercising.
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When you think of the ultimate physique it’s hard to go past the likes of Hollywood superstar, Chris Hemsworth.
The 41-year-old Aussie literally plays a Marvel superhero for a living so it’s not surprising that he takes his fitness very seriously.
We recently caught up with the man behind the physique, Chris’ personal trainer and childhood best friend, Luke Zocchi.
Joining us from the London set of Chris’ latest movie, Luke explained the two secrets to having a body like Thor are “having Craig and Leonie Hemsworth as your parents (good genetics)” and “consistency”.
Throughout our chat, Luke also revealed some rather shocking things about his best friend’s work out routine.
Unusually, Chris’ go-to workout playlist isn’t rock or hip-hop, but strictly Mozart.
His biggest motivator for wrapping up a workout is a cup of coffee, his cheat meal is a pizza with regular coke and he absolutely hates when Luke takes on ‘the drill sergeant technique’.
“Yelling at him doesn’t get you anywhere. He’s more competitive. So if he’s not feeling it, I’ll do the exercise first and then his competitiveness will take over and he’ll end up doing more and heavier than me.”
Most shockingly though, Luke revealed the one thing we’d be surprised to know about the Aussie actor, “he’s actually way funnier than what you’d think. Maybe because he’s put on that big Hollywood movie star persona, but he’s actually really funny”.
Here the Byron Bay-based personal trainer unpacks his favourite workout gear, the essential items in his carry on and the biggest fitness myth you should forget about.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
“I’m very generous with salt. I put salt on ice cream with olive oil. It’s amazing – vanilla ice cream, a bit of olive oil and salt. You’d be surprised, it’s really good.”
Maldon Sea Salt, $9 at Amazon Australia
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WORK OUT GEAR?
“I’m more homegrown, I love LSKD.”
Washed Relentless Heavyweight, $60 at LSKD
Race Day Short Tight 8”, $100 at LSKD
“I like STAX too, but that’s more of an aesthetic thing.”
STAX RC3 Tee, $84.95 at The Iconic
STAX RC3 Mens Sport Singlet, $59.95 at The Iconic
WHAT’RE YOUR FAVOURITE RUNNING SHOES?
“Nike Pegasus. I bought the Kipchoge limited edition ones, with his signature on the back. I really like him.”
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 Kipchoge Mens Running Shoes, $209.99 at Rebel
WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DEODORANT BEFORE A WORK OUT?
“I’m a Rexona man – the spray. The roll on is disgusting. There’s something about a slimy sweaty ball under my arm pit … Not one little bit of me can do a roll on.”
Rexona Men Advanced Protection, $6.89 at Amazon Australia
WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR BEGINNERS?
“The three basic things that are really good to get someone started … Resistance bands. They’re easy, I take them everywhere with me.”
CENTR Resistance Bands With Handles in Multi, $94 at Myer
“You also can’t go wrong with adjustable dumbbells. That’s like a no-brainer. You don’t need a whole row of dumbbells. It’s literally one set of dumbbells.”
Fortis 48kg Smart Adjustable Weights Dumbbell Set, $279 at Kogan
“ … a curved treadmill is also really good.”
Kangaroo Fitness Self-powered curve treadmill, $2,813 at Kogan
WHAT ARE THE THREE ESSENTIAL ITEMS YOU ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH?
“A protein shaker.”
Shaker Bottle, $12.59 at Amazon Australia
“I always have my little Centr kit with me with booty bands and resistance bands.”
CENTR Fitness Kit, $159 at Myer
“ … and my AirPods.”
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, $288 at Amazon Australia
WHAT’S YOUR BEST HACK TO MEAL PREPPING?
“No-brainer – an air fryer. Hands down. I ended up buying the biggest one I could get, it’s a nine litre Phillips one.”
Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer, $247 at Amazon Australia
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST FITNESS MYTH?
“That you need a protein shake after training. You obviously need to have food after you’ve done a hard workout, but it doesn’t have to be a protein shake. You can have a good meal and decent food is just as good, if not better.”
WHAT’S THE BEST FITNESS HACK YOU LIVE BY?
“Do what you enjoy doing. If you’re trying to get fit, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to a gym. If you really enjoy doing something active, just do that because you’re going to be more consistent at it and you’re going to continue to do it. And that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day – being consistent.”
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