Thor star Chris Hemsworth says bodybuilding is seen as ‘vanity’

Chris Hemsworth has said that bodybuilding is seen as ‘vanity’ as he discussed his gruelling training routine for his role as Thor in the Marvel blockbusters.

The Australian actor, 37, admitted that if he put on a ‘bunch of unhealthy weight’ or got ‘unhealthily skinny’ for a role, he’d be called a ‘serious actor’.

Chris, who has starred as Thor in the Marvel blockbusters since 2011 and is currently filming Thor: Love and Thunder, likened his training to that of a ‘professional athlete’.

Work it: Chris Hemsworth, left, has said that bodybuilding is seen as ‘vanity’ as he discussed his gruelling training routine for his role as Thor in the Marvel blockbusters 

He told The Telegraph: ‘There’s an aesthetic that the role requires. Bodybuilding is seen as vanity, whereas if I put on a bunch of unhealthy weight, or got unhealthily skinny for a role, I’d probably be called a serious actor. 

‘The training across 10 years of doing it is a full-time job. That and then a 12-hour shooting day – it’s real grind. It’s incredibly rewarding, too – you have to look at it like a professional athlete.’

Chris also admitted that after years of ‘over training’, he is currently the ‘fittest’ and ‘strongest’ he has ever been due to spending more time at home during the pandemic.

The actor lives in Byron Bay, Australia, with his model wife Elsa Pataky and their three children daughter India Rose, eight, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, seven.

Reflective: The Australian actor, 37, admitted that if he put on a 'bunch of unhealthy weight' or got 'unhealthily skinny' for a role, he'd be called a 'serious actor' (pictured as Thor in 2017)

Reflective: The Australian actor, 37, admitted that if he put on a ‘bunch of unhealthy weight’ or got ‘unhealthily skinny’ for a role, he’d be called a ‘serious actor’ (pictured as Thor in 2017)

Chris said: ‘This is probably the fittest and strongest I’ve been before all the Thors. Having this time at home meant I explored different methods, to see how I can manipulate my body with just the right amount of powerlifting and bodybuilding workouts.’  

The actor admitted that he is usually ‘pretty stiff and sore’ in the mornings from his training so uses a chest freezer to loosen up his muscles. 

Elsewhere during the chat, Chris admitted that after playing Thor for ten years, he wants to try new projects that ‘don’t feel familiar’.

The actor has recently been bulking up to play WWE icon Hulk Hogan in a highly-anticipated biopic.

Intense: Chris, who has starred as Thor in the Marvel blockbusters since 2011 and is currently filming Thor: Love and Thunder, likened his training to that of a 'professional athlete'

Intense: Chris, who has starred as Thor in the Marvel blockbusters since 2011 and is currently filming Thor: Love and Thunder, likened his training to that of a ‘professional athlete’  

Chris said that he decides on his future jobs by their location and that he has enjoyed ‘being grounded’ at his home with his family during the pandemic. 

The actor has been working on new Marvel film Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney and is also rumoured to be producing Elsa’s forthcoming film, Interceptor. 

Chris is well-known for having a strict exercise regimen, which helps him maintain his superhero physique. 

In an interview with Australian Men’s Health last month, he said his ‘body shuts down’ when he doesn’t work out.

Wow: Chris also admitted that after years of 'over training', he is currently the 'fittest' and 'strongest' he has ever been due to spending more time at home during the pandemic (pictured in 2011)

Strong: Pictured in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017

Wow: Chris also admitted that after years of ‘over training’, he is currently the ‘fittest’ and ‘strongest’ he has ever been due to spending more time at home during the pandemic (pictured left, in 2011, and right, in 2017, in the Thor movies) 

‘I just don’t feel good. I like it for a couple of days, then everything just starts to hurt,’ he confessed.

‘I get achy and there’s inflammation, my back’s stiff. I’m just well aware that in order for me to live healthier and happier, I’ve got to keep moving.’  

He also stressed the importance of developing a workout regimen that keeps you motivated.

‘I do a lot of different things. You’ve got to be an explorer in the world of fitness and exercise and constantly be on the lookout for something fresh,’ he said.

Sweet: Chris said that he decides on his future jobs by their location and that he has enjoyed 'being grounded' at his home with his family during the pandemic

Sweet: Chris said that he decides on his future jobs by their location and that he has enjoyed ‘being grounded’ at his home with his family during the pandemic

Chris enlists the help of personal trainer Luke Zocchi, who puts the father of three through two training methods, HIIT and HIRT.  

HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training, which involves short bursts of intense exercises to burn fat.

Meanwhile, HIRT stands for high-intensity resistance training, and involves strengthening exercises to build muscle. 

The Australian production of Thor: Love and Thunder was made possible by a $24million location incentive by the NSW and Australian Governments. 

Wrestling days: Elsewhere during the chat, Chris admitted that after playing Thor for ten years, he wants to try new projects that 'don't feel familiar' - he has recently been bulking up to play WWE icon Hulk Hogan (pictured) in a highly-anticipated biopic

Wrestling days: Elsewhere during the chat, Chris admitted that after playing Thor for ten years, he wants to try new projects that ‘don’t feel familiar’ – he has recently been bulking up to play WWE icon Hulk Hogan (pictured) in a highly-anticipated biopic 

The fourth film in the Thor franchise stars Chris as the titular hammer-wielding superhero, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, and Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher.

It is being directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, who also helmed Thor: Ragnarok, the third film in the series.

Thor: Love and Thunder sees Portman’s character, astrophysicist Jane Foster, take up the mantle of Thor after transforming into a female version of the Norse God.

The actress appeared in 2011’s Thor and the 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark World, but skipped 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. 

Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release on May 6, 2022.

Exciting: Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release on May 6, 2022 (Chris pictured in 2019)

Exciting: Thor: Love and Thunder is slated for release on May 6, 2022 (Chris pictured in 2019)