Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is a Danish actor, screenwriter and producer who has appeared in Game of Thrones since the show first aired in 2011. He appeared back on the small screen last month in the final season of the show. As well as being known for his acting skills, many fans know Nikolaj for being in incredible shape and it’s all down to a gruelling fitness regime. What does he do to stay lean?
The actor revealed he would focus on bodyweight exercises to help him stay in shape and tried to bulk up in 2017.
Speaking to Men’s Health at the time, he said his exercise plan included pull-ups, push-ups and the Navy SEAL burpee, which includes more push-ups than a regular burpee.
We did a ton of basic bodyweight stuff,” he revealed.
“But then on top of that, in the gym I would try to bulk up so I’d do a lot of deadlifting, a lot of squatting, a lot of those things.
“I wouldn’t squat with anyone on top of me. I would just do that with weights.”
Nikolaj also admitted to the magazine he avoided doing cardio exercise at the time.
The actor was trying to gain more muscle for a role in the drama, Shot Caller, but his standard routine is not necessarily as intense.
When speaking about how he stayed in shape for his role in Game of Thrones, Nikolaj said he did not have a specific routine.
“Jaime doesn’t have a specific workout; it’s just my every day, just trying to stay fit workout,” he told Men’s Health.
“Usually, I spend a lot of time on the bike – I like to mountain bike.”
Nikolaj has also previously shared his love of CrossFit training, which is a high-intensity fitness programme that combines lots of different sports and types of exercise.
The Jaime Lannister actor is not the only Game of Thrones star who followed a strict fitness routine when performing the role.
Gwendoline Christie, 40, shot to fame in the role and revealed how she lost “a lot of weight” to play Brienne of Tarth.
The star told the Radio Times that she lost weight and got a trainer to turn herself into her character.
Nikolaj is sure to have made a lot of money during his acting career and his co-star, Iain Glen, 57, has a net worth of £2.2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.