MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Jai Courtney Shares The Fitness Hacks Behind His Bulk

Jai Courtney Shares The Fitness Hacks Behind His Bulk

The Session Australia's Top Trainers Use To Train Themselves

The Session Australia's Top Trainers Use To Train Themselves

Should You Work Out Twice a Day?

Should You Work Out Twice a Day?

Could Zac Efron Be The Next Ninja Warrior Champion?

Could Zac Efron Be The Next Ninja Warrior Champion?

{headline}

{headline}

This 20-Minute Circuit Will Obliterate Your Arms

This 20-Minute Circuit Will Obliterate Your Arms

Fitness: Where You Can Have It All

Fitness: Where You Can Have It All

Win The Arms Race

Win The Arms Race

{headline}

{headline}

An Open Letter to the Newbies at the Gym This January

An Open Letter to the Newbies at the Gym This January

Adam Driver Is Jacked as Hell In 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' and Here's How to Get His Body

Adam Driver Is Jacked as Hell In 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' and Here's How to Get His Body

Colin Firth Talks Super Spy Training And Transforming Back Into An Action Star

Colin Firth Talks Super Spy Training And Transforming Back Into An Action Star

Summer Guns By New MH Fitness Director: Chief Brabon

Summer Guns By New MH Fitness Director: Chief Brabon

Prince Harry, Your Unlikely Workout Inspiration

Prince Harry, Your Unlikely Workout Inspiration

Here's How the 'Justice League' Cast Got in Superhero Shape

Here's How the 'Justice League' Cast Got in Superhero Shape

3 Bondi Lifeguards On How They Stay On Top Of Their Fitness Games

3 Bondi Lifeguards On How They Stay On Top Of Their Fitness Games

  1. Home
  2. Fitness

The Workout That Got Keanu Reeves In Fighting Shape For John Wick 3

"It's demanding, it's really demanding..." - by Lauren Williamson
  • 02 May 2019

Keanu Reeves is returning as John Wick in the third instalment of the adrenaline-fuelled franchise and the 54-year-old has worked hard to get in fighting shape for the film.

To play the role of super-assassin in the past, Reeves undertook intense jujutsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and tactical shooting training, to fashion as style of fighting that’s come to be known as gun-fu. And it’s safe to assume that this time, his preparation has been just as intense.

Reeves previously worked with the renowned stunt trainers at 87eleven and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners, mixed martial artists and grappler legends the Machado Brothers.

“We kind of just threw away the actor thing and trained him as a stunt guy," director Chad Stahelski says.

"Keanu trains on weekends, he trains four or five months before the movie starts shooting," Producer Basil Iwaynk says. "I don’t mean like once a week I mean every day, four or five hours a day."

Keanu Reeves and The Machado Brothers -John Wick 2 Training

He also worked with his personal trainer, Patrick Murphy, who says says they created strength to prevent injury, rather than building bulk.

“Keanu’s body was put through the wringer,” Murphy told Muscle & Fitness. “I had to implement the safest, most effective program possible.”

“There's a lot of stunt and fight training in the John Wick movies, so I had to create ultimate joint stability and tightness. Keanu Reeves, he's in his fifties and his body's been through a lot with all the Matrix movies, it was just a different program. It was more about staying away from injuries.”

Instead of using weights, Murphy opted for resistance bands.

“They can be easier on the joints than free weights,” he explains, “but I also like the negative resistance they present.”

Go-to exercises included unilateral movements like ice skaters and single-leg pistol squat hops.

Keanu Reeves' John Wick Circuit Workout

Perform 20 reps of each exercise consecutively as a circuit, with as little rest as possible between moves. After finishing the round, rest for 2 minutes. Repeat for 6 total rounds.

  • Reverse Lunge Front DB Raise
  • Bosu Lunge Shoulder Press
  • Reverse-Step Resistance Band Row
  • Squat with TRX Shoulder Iso-Hold
  • Stability Ball Dynamic Plank
  • Banded Lateral Walk Pallof Press

RELATED:

  • News
  • Fitness
  • Workout
  • Celebrity
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is the Digital Content Manager for Women's Health and Men's Health. She's an experienced journalist, editor and social media fiend who's well versed in reporting on everything from food trends to fitness, health news to haircare. She has a double degree in Journalism and Political Science.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Jai Courtney Shares The Fitness Hacks Behind His Bulk

Jai Courtney Shares The Fitness Hacks Behind His Bulk

The Session Australia's Top Trainers Use To Train Themselves

The Session Australia's Top Trainers Use To Train Themselves

Should You Work Out Twice a Day?

Should You Work Out Twice a Day?

Could Zac Efron Be The Next Ninja Warrior Champion?

Could Zac Efron Be The Next Ninja Warrior Champion?

{headline}

{headline}

This 20-Minute Circuit Will Obliterate Your Arms

This 20-Minute Circuit Will Obliterate Your Arms

Fitness: Where You Can Have It All

Fitness: Where You Can Have It All

Win The Arms Race

Win The Arms Race

{headline}

{headline}

An Open Letter to the Newbies at the Gym This January

An Open Letter to the Newbies at the Gym This January

Adam Driver Is Jacked as Hell In 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' and Here's How to Get His Body

Adam Driver Is Jacked as Hell In 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi,' and Here's How to Get His Body

Colin Firth Talks Super Spy Training And Transforming Back Into An Action Star

Colin Firth Talks Super Spy Training And Transforming Back Into An Action Star

Summer Guns By New MH Fitness Director: Chief Brabon

Summer Guns By New MH Fitness Director: Chief Brabon

Prince Harry, Your Unlikely Workout Inspiration

Prince Harry, Your Unlikely Workout Inspiration

Here's How the 'Justice League' Cast Got in Superhero Shape

Here's How the 'Justice League' Cast Got in Superhero Shape

3 Bondi Lifeguards On How They Stay On Top Of Their Fitness Games

3 Bondi Lifeguards On How They Stay On Top Of Their Fitness Games

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now