Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher Diet and Workout Plan

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Published by Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: April 15, 2025
FACT CHECKED by James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Our content is meticulously researched and reviewed by an expert team of fact checkers and medical professionals. They ensure accuracy, relevance, and timeliness using the latest reputable sources, which are cited within the text and listed at the end of the article. Before publication and upon significant updates, we confirm factual accuracy, committed to providing readers with well-informed content. Learn more.

Alan Ritchson played one of my favorite TV show characters in recent years, starring as the main character in Jack Reacher. And the first thing you instantly notice is that he’s totally ripped and badass.

While he was already pretty fit-looking, he went through quite a transformation for Jack Reacher.

So, our team spent a few days going through interviews and social media posts to see if we could find out how he achieved that muscular physique.

Here’s what we came up with for the Alan Ritchson workout routine.

Quick Summary

  • The Alan Ritchson workout routine involves a lot of weight training and bodyweight exercises, along with a lot of cardio.
  • Achieving and maintaining that level of lean muscle mass involves a strict and balanced diet as well, and Alan Ritchson pays a lot of attention to macros and calories.
  • To get the most out of Alan Ritchson's workout, you also need to take a careful look at your supplement stack to align it with achieving your goals faster.
  • Recovery is crucial, and Alan emphasizes the importance of rest days and staying active with lighter activities like walking or swimming to help muscles recover.

Alan Ritchson Stats

  • Born: November 28, 1982
  • Height: 6’2”
  • Weight: 205 lbs
  • Waist: 34”
  • Chest: 45”

Alan Ritchson’s Workout Routine

Alan Ritchson workout in the gym with equipment

Alan Ritchson's workout routine involves a lot of weight training, and to maintain his low BMI, he adds some cardio work every day [1].

So, if you want to look like you could appear in movies like Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Blue Mountain State, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or Jack Reacher, then brace yourself for some tough work.

Monday: Chest and Arms

The first day of weight training is all about the upper body and making those chest and arm muscles stand out:

  • Wide push-ups (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Incline dumbbell bench press (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Military push-ups (3 sets of 20 reps)
  • EZ bar curls (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Triceps rope pushdown (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Preacher curls (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Dumbbell chest flys (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • 20-minute cardio machine

Tuesday: Lower Body

Man exercising his lower body

Alan Ritchson pays a lot of attention to lower body muscle growth to ensure that he keeps all the proportions right.

Here’s what you can plan for today: 

  • Squats (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Leg extension (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Hamstring curls (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Barbell calf raises (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Glute bridge (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • 20-minute cardio machine

Wednesday: Back and Core

The workout regimen continues with dedicated exercises to get a lean physique in the back and core areas.

Here’s the strength training you need to do: 

  • Wide-grip pull-ups (3 sets of 20 reps)
  • Barbell rows (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Close-grip pull-ups (3 sets of 20 reps)
  • Sit-ups (3 sets to failure)
  • Hanging leg raises (3 sets to failure)
  • Stiff-leg deadlift supersetted (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • 20-minute cardio machine

Thursday: Cardio

Man doing cardio in a gym

Alan Ritchson's life has always involved sports and fitness.

And cardio exercises are his go-to training style to stay on top of his body fat [2].
Benefits of cardio versus strength training are not talked about enough in my opinion, as each has it's context and best application depending on the goal.

He seems to do about 90 minutes of cardio with a mix of elliptical, treadmill, swimming, and rowing.

You can adapt your workout regimen to whatever suits you best.

Friday: Shoulders and Arms

On Friday, it’s back to the upper body, this time with a heavy focus on the shoulders and arms using compound movements.

Here are some bodyweight and dumbbell exercises to include:

  • Dumbbell shoulder press (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Chin-ups (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Biceps curls (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Lateral raises (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Hammer curls (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Triceps kickbacks (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • Front raises (3 sets of 10 reps)
  • 20-minute cardio machine

“There is no substitute for hard work; no powders, no goos, no fancy shoes will get you where you want to go without it.”

- Alan Ritchson

youtube

Saturday/Sunday: Rest

Man relaxing, getting massage

After all those intense weight training sessions, you’ll need to take some rest.

Your muscles need a chance to recover so that you can keep training at the same intensity levels.

But to keep moving towards that athletic physique, you need to remain active.

So plan a few walks or go for a swim to keep losing those sore muscles.

What’s His Diet Plan?

Close up of various healthy foods

Alan Ritchson's diet plan involves eating as clean as possible, but he still allows himself a few cheat meals.

Overall, that means eating over 4,000 calories a day to fuel the workouts, but getting those from protein and healthy fats and avoiding refined sugar.

Here’s what a typical day on the Alan Ritchson diet plan looks like: 

  • Breakfast: Scrambled egg and avocado on brown toast
  • Snack: Green protein smoothie
  • Lunch: Grilled fish or chicken with brown rice and vegetables
  • Snack: Turkey sandwich with a bowl of salad and fruit
  • Dinner: Fish or lean red meat with sweet potato and vegetables

Related Articles:

Does He Take Supplements?

Various healthy supplements

Yes, Alan Ritchson takes supplements to support his workout routine and diet.

Trying to get that many calories from protein can become a major struggle, and there are easier ways to keep your diet on track.

First of all, Alan Ritchson has a few protein shakes each day.

These are high-quality whey protein powders that give his body a big boost in amino acids when he needs them most.

The other thing he has mentioned is taking some of the best branched-chain amino acids on the market for better and faster recovery.

These are directly linked to improved muscle mass building and reduced soreness after training [3].

Consistently taking these on your training days will help you get to your fitness goals a lot faster.

FAQs

How Much Does Alan Ritchson Workout?

Alan Ritchson works out five days a week. His workout routine involves a mix of weight and cardio training to maintain a balance of big muscles and a low BMI.

What Does Alan Ritchson Eat in a Day?

Alan Ritchson eats over 4,000 calories a day when he’s in a bulking phase. This typically happens when he’s preparing for a movie, and at that time, he will be exercising for more than two hours a day to achieve his goals.


References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6172294
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925973
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212987/
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

About The Author

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC is an ex-National Soccer player turned MMA and Kickboxing champion, with ACE CPT and PN1-NC certifications. His advice is rooted in education and experience, ensuring that readers receive scientific and battle-tested insights. His mission is to empower his clients and readers to realize their potential and become the best versions of themselves.
Learn more about our editorial policy
James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
James Cunningham, BSc, CPT holds a BSc degree in Sport & Exercise Science from University of Hertfordshire. He's a Health & Performance Coach from London that brings a unique blend of academic knowledge of health supplements and practical exercise experience to the table for his readers.
Learn more about our editorial policy

You May Also Like

mass gainer vs whey
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 24 hours ago
Mass Gainer vs Whey Protein: Which One Should You Pick?
bulk up
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 24 hours ago
How to Bulk up Fast (& the Proper Way): 14 Ninja Hacks
wine
By Christiana Mikesch, CPT 24 hours ago
Does Wine Burn Fat or Is It A Myth? (Revealed)
winter gains
By Christiana Mikesch, CPT 24 hours ago
Winter Weight Gain - 10 Reasons Why It's Not a Myth
Lou Ferrigno flexing his muscles from workout
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 24 hours ago
Lou Ferrigno Workout and Diet Plan (Gain Hulking Size)
Tessa Brooks working out outside in the field
By Christiana Mikesch, CPT 2 days ago
Tessa Brooks' Weight Loss Story (Diet & Workout Secrets)

Write a Reply or Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our scoring system is the result of objective testing data and subjective expert analysis by a team of fitness coaches and medical experts. Our scoring factors are weighted based on importance. For more information, see our product review guidelines.