A personal trainer who turns celebrities into superheroes has revealed how stars are snatched for film roles.
Don Saladino, who has trained stars such as Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, appeared on a popular weightlifting podcast where he was asked about the murky world of steroid use in Hollywood.
When asked if he knows of celebrities who have taken drugs to enhance their physiques, Saladino said he “doesn’t play doctor” and requires all of his clients to undergo blood tests to make sure they are healthy.
Expressing his opinion on steroid use among the rich and famous, the New York fitness mogul said: “If someone could turn around and say, ‘I’m trying to optimize body composition and I’m working with the best doctors and we “. We’re monitoring our blood and we’re going to approach this with a really methodical approach… so make it yours, okay, great, do it.
‘But don’t be the guy who puts yourself on the cover (of a magazine), (without) admitting it when they ask you that question (are you taking steroids?).
Don Saladino, a personal trainer who turns celebrities into superheroes, said a lot of celebrities’ looks come down to lighting and camera angles.
Much of Sparta 300 was digitally enhanced, as shown above, and the actors are also said to have used makeup to enhance the appearance of their abs.
Pictured above are Chris Hemsworth and Alan Richardson. Don Saladino said that Alan Richardson had used steroids before, and the actor admitted it too. Chris Hemsworth is also facing speculation about steroid use.
“To me I don’t respect that because you’re going to have a 14-year-old sitting there watching that.”
Later in the conversation he added, “Just deal with it, that’s my thing.”
But Saladino said some celebrities were making disingenuous excuses for taking steroids.
He singled out Alan Richardson, from the Amazon Prime series Jack Reacher, who admitted to using testosterone replacement therapy, a type of steroid, to achieve his burly physique.
At the time, Richardson, who appeared on the cover of Men’s Health, said he didn’t know testosterone was the equivalent of a steroid.
The actor said: “I didn’t even know that some people considered it an anabolic steroid.” It was simply: I was missing a hormone and I needed it.’
Podcast host Dr. Mike Isratel told Saladino that there have been rumors for years that movie studios know about and encourage steroid use, and even help connect celebrities with distributors.
Saladino gave a less exciting answer, claiming that many actors are enhanced by camera tricks and computer-generated effects rather than drugs.
He said: “What frustrates me… is that people think that because someone is at a certain level, they must be taking something.”
Speaking about the film Sparta 300, starring Gerard Butler and where 300 Spartan soldiers take on the much larger Persian army in ancient Greece, Saladin said the film’s abs were “dumb.”
“Watch the movie 300,” he said, “…you could take the fittest person in that movie, put them in a physical competition and they would finish last.”
“The lighting is amazing, the makeup is amazing and the camera angle is amazing.”
Sparta 300 used a heavy dose of CGI, but the actors also had to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen to achieve slimmer bodies. Butler previously described his midriff in the film as “ridiculous.”
Saladino, however, admitted that there were extreme pressures on actors to get into shape in naturally unrealistic periods of time, and revealed that one ‘tattooed star’ came to him with just two weeks to prepare for a paper.
Don Saladino has worked with dozens of celebrities, including Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal (pictured above).
Saladino: ‘I can’t mention this actor, very well-known and top-notch in Hollywood; he also has a really good physique.
“So he explained the role to me and he had some tattoos on his body. I said, ‘So how long do you have?’ and he said, ‘two weeks.’
The actor said he wanted broader shoulders and abs, despite admitting he drank alcohol regularly.
So in response, Saladino told the star to get a tan, which would improve the muscles he had, to start using saunas, walk more, and avoid alcohol.
The actor was delighted with the results and the studio immediately began filming the film.
