American actor Matt Damon is one of the most famous names in Hollywood action movies. And if you don't recognize him by his name, you'll surely know him as Jason Bourne.
What’s unique about Matt Damon is his fight scenes and that he’s done most of his stunts himself.
After watching some of his movies and going through some of his interviews, I concluded that some of my clients could benefit a lot from his workouts.
So I spoke to my colleagues at the gym and my dietitian, and I've outlined Matt Damon’s workout routines and diet, so let’s dive in.
His Stats
- Age: 53 years (Born on October 8, 1970)
- Height: 5'10" (1.78 m)
- Weight: 185 lbs (84 kgs)
- Chest: 43 inches (109 cm)
- Waist: 32 inches (81 cm)
- Biceps: 15 inches (38 cm)
What Does Matt Damon’s Workout Routine Consist Of?
Matt Damon's workout routine and diet plan contribute to his athletic physique, which includes bodyweight exercises as part of his fitness regimen.
Matt Damon’s workout routine primarily consists of daily calisthenic exercises that target multiple muscle systems and train specific muscle groups on other days.
I've integrated calisthenics into my recovery routine as well. This approach has significantly helped in rehabilitating injuries and improving my body's natural movement patterns.
Daily Calisthenics Workout Routine
The following exercises are very basic movement patterns Damon does every day:
- Squat Variations: 4 sets of 10 reps
- Bear Crawl: 4 sets of 5 meters forward and back
- Lunges: 4 sets of 20 reps
- Farmer's Carry: 4 sets of 4 reps
- Sled Push: 4 sets of 1 cycle
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“The crawling movement is the most important movement that the body has. You’re moving cross-laterally across the body. You’re developing muscle and coordination across the body in a way that’s very strong.”
- Jason Walsh, Celebrity Trainer
Monday: Chest and Triceps
For his chest and triceps routine, Damon does three sets of ten reps for the following exercises:
- Close-Grip Bench Press
- Dumbbell Hex Press
- Push-Ups
- Chest Flys
- Close Grip Push-Ups
- Dips
- Tricep Pushdowns
- Overhead Tricep Extensions
- Skull Crushers
Wednesday: Legs and Shoulders
Damon does three sets of nine reps for the following exercises:
- Back Squat
- Weighted Lunges
- Leg Press
- Calf Exercises
- Military Press
- Barbell Shoulder Raise
- Barbell Shoulder Front Raise
- Arnold Press
- Shrugs
Friday: Back and Biceps
The back and biceps routine also follows three sets of ten reps.
- Standing Lat Pulldowns
- Dumbbell Rows
- Incline Wide Push-Ups
- Bicep Cable Curls
- Chin-Ups
- Hammer Curls
- Stiff-Leg Deadlifts
- Preacher Curls
- Cable Rows
- Concentration Curls
Damon dedicates Tuesdays and Thursdays to different physical activities like running, hiking, and playing sports.
I also stress the importance of outdoor activities to my clients, such as hiking and playing outdoor sports. I found this variety not only enhances overall fitness but also keeps the regimen exciting and mentally stimulating.
What Does The Matt Damon Diet Consist Of?
Matt Damon's strict diet contributes to Damon's strength and helps him lose weight, and he incorporates snack nuts as part of his nutrition plan.
Matt Damon's diet consists of six meals a day which he needs to fuel his strenuous workouts.
- Breakfast: Three hard-boiled eggs, a glass of milk, and a protein shake
- Second meal: Chicken breast or lean beef with salad and healthy fat sources like avocado and coconut oil
- Lunch: Salmon and vegetables
- Dinner: Sweet potatoes and steak
- Fifth meal: Protein shake and nuts
- Sixth meal: Oatmeal and eggs
To attain Jason Bourne’s body, Damon bulked up with the celebrity trainer Jason Walsh. Walsh recalls that he also closely monitored his water intake. However, we don’t recommend doing this unless you’re preparing for a contest or a movie scene.
I've tried a similar six-meal-a-day plan as Matt Damon, and experienced how such a diet can effectively fuel intense workouts and aid in muscle recovery.
Workout and Diet Principles
Going through all the interviews and records of him talking about fitness, I’ve figured out some principles that Damon adheres to in order to maintain his figure and health.
Workout Principles
Most of Damon’s workout principles result from his training with Jason Walsh.
Jason Walsh ensured that Damon had a solid foundation with mobility, flexibility, and overall strength.
Before assuming his role as Jason Bourne, Damon put in hours of exercise every day for three months to build a warrior physique.
Notice Matt Damon’s workout split; it’s not just confined to the gym. Two days a week, Damon gets plenty of physical activity by hiking, boxing, and playing different sports. He also mixes it up with other physical activities of his choice.
His trainer Jason Walsh passed his deep passion for Calisthenics onto Damon. So when it came to recovery from injuries, Walsh had Damon work on natural, fundamental movement using calisthenics.
He focused on critical and basic movement patterns like the crawling movement, rolling, and planking.
When he’s not preparing for a movie, Damon makes sure he takes full advantage of rest days to fully recover and prevent injury. This is why he takes Saturdays and Sundays off.
Mental Health and Physical Fitness Connection
Physical fitness is not just about maintaining a certain physique; it's also about enhancing cognitive function and focus. For Damon, whose roles often require quick thinking and adaptability, staying physically active is integral to keeping his mind as agile as his body.
This aspect of fitness is particularly important in learning and performing complex stunt sequences, where mental clarity and precision are as important as physical capability.
For Matt Damon, the interplay between mental health and physical fitness is a holistic one. His workout routines do more than prepare him physically for challenging roles; they are a cornerstone of his overall well-being.
By maintaining a rigorous fitness regimen, Damon not only shapes his body to fit various characters but also ensures that his mind is equally prepared to tackle the challenges of his demanding career.
Diet Principles
Although Damon has been on various eating plans, his diet principles have remained constant.
Goal Specific
The best way to describe Damon’s diet principles is highly goal-specific. He’s gone on diets that have made him lose over 50 lbs, some that helped him put weight on, and others that gave him a ripped body.
Damon practiced strict consistency through each diet until he achieved his physique goals.
Protein Sources
With all his diets, Damon emphasized protein sources. Even when he wanted to lose a good chunk of weight for a movie, he stuck to only chicken and nothing else.
Importance of Water
Water also plays a crucial role in Damon’s diet. He cuts back on water when he’s going for the shredded warrior look. When back on a normal or bulking diet, he consumes plenty of water for high metabolism and fat loss.
Occasional Cheat Meals
Cheat meals after prepping for a big role are important to Damon. He recalls that after finishing up with Jason Bourne, he had a large pizza.
A study in the Journal of Consumer Psychology showed that having a cheat meal once in a while has positive psychological effects that can help you with better long-term healthy dieting [1].
Does He Take Supplements?
Matt Damon takes supplements like creatine to fuel his workouts and recovery. Here’s the rundown:
- Creatine: A study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, shows that using creatine may heavily reduce muscle cramping, dehydration, muscle strain and tightness, and other injuries [2].
- Whey Protein Supplements: A 2018 analysis of 49 studies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that consuming protein supplements may significantly improve muscle size and strength in healthy adults who lift weights [3].
- Bodybuilding Multivitamins: These help fuel your muscles and bones, allowing them to function properly [4].
- Flaxseed: Flaxseed is high in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, making it a great food for staying full and cutting weight [5].
I've also used creatine previously, and noticed a marked reduction in muscle cramping and strain.
Is It Possible to Get Damon’s Physique?
Yes, it’s possible to get a physique like Damon’s with dedication and consistency in workouts and nutrition.
But it’s not an overnight process; it takes months of daily exercise and a very disciplined diet.
However, not all of us may have the genetic capacity to get the same gains as Damon.
Whether you’re in this category or not, I recommend considering some safe and legal steroids to help you speed up the process.
They proved to be quite effective for my clients without any negative side effects associated with conventional steroids.
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FAQs
How Much Can Matt Damon Bench Press?
Matt Damon can bench press at least 250 pounds. This was during the time Jason Bourne was being filmed.
Has Matt Damon Done Martial Arts Training?
Yes, Matt Damon has done some martial arts, including Jeet Kune Do, Escrima, and Kali. He trained in these for his role as Jason Bourne.
References:
- https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jcps.2015.05.001
- https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
- https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/6/376
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-of-multivitamins#2
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263405#tips
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