When you're working out, particularly if you're trying to gain serious, Incredible-Hulk-style muscles, then it's often a good idea to look to celebrities for inspiration. Just think about how many professional bodybuilders have been inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Dolph Lungren, or the multitude of wrestlers in WWE. But nowadays there's a dude on the TV who's quite possibly more stacked than all those other guys combined. Namely Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the gigantic actor who portrays Gregor Clegane (aka: 'The Mountain') on HBO's fantasy series Game of Thrones.
Weighing more than 400 lbs, the Icelandic strongman and actor is no slouch when it comes to hitting the gym, and has now managed to win the title of Europe's Strongest Man a whopping total of four times. But he didn't get that way by accident - he managed it by employing a gruelling fitness regime that puts Mark Wahlberg's to shame.
Björnsson's exercise regime, entitled: Thor's Power Program,' can be found on his official website, and it states: "Thor's Power Program is how Thor trained 12 weeks out from the beginning of his strongman competition season to get strong. REALLY STRONG. He followed the Strength System, created by his coach Sebastian Oreb, where the main tool to strengthen his body was a barbell. [sic]"
"He performed the basic gym lifts; squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press, with an enormous emphasis on lifting technique, as well as an intelligent approach to load selection and recovery. The exercises, techniques and principles used in Thor's Power Program can be followed by anyone who wants to develop a strong body that moves well and is free from injury."
In a recent interview regarding his role in Game of Thrones, Björnsson commented on what interests him about his villainous character, stating: "I do like him. He’s an interesting character and I do like to act him. It is different because I’m used to talk, but in the show, he doesn’t talk. So it can be very difficult sometimes when you are just standing there and doing nothing, or just killing people. Obviously, in real life I don’t kill people. So it can be very difficult."
He also revealed that he once had a little sparring session with Conor McGregor, and stated that he felt like he had to go easy on the Irish fighter, because of his gigantic proportions. Björnsson stated: "Yes, I had a sparring session with him. Just a joke one. A while ago, before his big fight against Aldo. I had to hold myself back because I have too much power for a man of his size. If I would push all my power into him I would crush him."
So there you have it: if you want to turn yourself in a mountain man, capable of crushing Conor McGregor himself, then simply check out the video above and follow Björnsson workout regime to the letter ... if you don't pass out or throw up first that is.
