Many people have speculated about Zac Efron's transformation from a young heartthrob in High School Musical to a ripped lifeguard in Baywatch.
Specifically, did the actor use performance enhancing drugs to achieve his physique, and if so, are steroid gains permanent?
Keep reading to uncover Zac Efron's remarkable physical transformation and find out if it is the result of pure dedication and perseverance.
Is Zac Efron On Steroids?
Zac Efron may not be on steroids. After analyzing interviews and videos with him, I find it plausible for that kind of transformation.
The first Baywatch images revealed a bulked-up Zac, 30 pounds heavier. Some speculated steroids, driven by Zac's tweet about months of training. However, my fitness expertise tells me that 9 to 12 months dedicated solely to fitness can help achieve such results.
The Transformation
Considering the timeline, it initially appeared that Zac had only 4 to 5 months between casting and shooting, which could raise suspicions of anabolic steroid use to gain 30 pounds of muscle in such a short time.
However, available evidence suggests a longer timeframe of approximately 9 to 12 months, making this transformation more feasible.
Think about it: he was paid millions to train with The Rock for 9 months and had access to top-notch dietitians. Doesn't it sound achievable?
His Training With The Rock
Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, spent years building his muscles into WWE and Hollywood fame.
Now, imagine training alongside The Rock for a week! You'd fast-track through the basics and dive straight into serious muscle building.
Based on experience, pairing up newbies with seasoned bodybuilders can fast-track their progress in building muscles. Trust me, there's magic in sweating it out with someone who's been there, done that.
How He Built Muscle And Burned Fat
Gaining muscle and burning fat simultaneously? Many bodybuilders find it tough.
Here's the scoop: To bulk up, you need to consume more calories than you burn. This extra intake often leads to fat storage.
So, bodybuilders juggle between bulking up and then slimming down, adapting their diet and training to get rid of fat.
Wondering about Zac's lean look? While steroids are a popular guess, another theory is in play. Zac might've hit the gym twice daily, making his bulking phase brief. This intense schedule keeps his body fat in check, but it's no cakewalk, especially for newbies.
Still curious about the steroid angle? Let's dive deeper.
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Zac Efron’s Physique
Zac Efron is one of the big Hollywood stars shot to fame for his role as Troy Bolton in Disney's High School Musical. He also co-starred in a few comedy movies, including Bad Grandpa with Robert Deniro and Bad Neighbors with Seth Rogan [1].
Looking back at High School Musical, Zac's slimmer physique suited his role as a teenage heartthrob. Back then, Zac's lean build with a hint of 6-pack abs was just what fans adored, without any controversies. Check out Zac's workout routine here.
But it wasn’t until he was cast for a role in the 2017 Baywatch movie that sparked drastic changes in his physique, leading to steroid use rumors.
As a fitness trainer, I know that a Hollywood budget can easily afford a team of professionals to shape up a star. So, jumping to steroid conclusions might be premature.
With Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson leading at 6’4” of muscle, Zac's initial 5’8” frame seemed a contrast. But Zac embraced the challenge, dedicating a year to strict dieting and training alongside The Rock's intense regimen.
The first Baywatch images revealed a bulked-up Zac, 30 pounds heavier. Some speculated steroids, driven by Zac's tweet about months of training. However, my fitness expertise tells me that 9 to 12 months dedicated solely to fitness can help achieve such results.
Zac Efron's Physical Changes
We’ve broken this down into three sections based on some observations.
1 - His Face Definitely Aged
There's celebrity gossip about his changed appearance in Baywatch, hinting at aging. While steroids can reduce collagen affecting skin elasticity, we shouldn't overlook other factors.
When you line up his Baywatch look with Bad Neighbors, where he was meant to look older, they're a bit similar. Maybe makeup played a role in that older look.
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2 - His Jawline Also Changed
Research suggests steroids can alter the shape of a man’s jawline [2]. While there's speculation about Zac Efron's jawline being evidence of steroid use, it's essential to note that some media outlets might be exaggerating with selective angles or edited photos.
3 - More Body Hair
Older photos of Zac show he definitely wasn’t a hairy man. But in Baywatch, there's a noticeable increase. While it's possible he shaved or waxed before, this new hair growth could be a sign that he used steroids.
Other Celebrities Rumored to be on Steroids:
Did Michael B Jordan Take Steroids
Did The Rock Take Steroids
Did Connor Murphy Take Steroids
Did Chris Bumstead Take Steroids
FAQs
Is That Zac Efron's Body in Baywatch?
Yes, that is Zac Efron's body in Baywatch. He spent many months training twice a day at the gym and living on an extremely strict diet. Some clever makeup probably helped show off his ripped body, but the muscles are real.
How Much Weight Did Zac Efron Gain for Baywatch?
Zac Efron gained about 20 to 30 pounds for Baywatch. He did this through a workout routine that was at least partially created by The Rock, which seems to have helped a lot with Zac’s motivation as well
What Body Type is Zac Efron?
Zac Efron is most likely an ectomorph body type. For most of his teens and twenties, he was a slim build, and he probably didn’t have much trouble with piling on weight. But this would also have meant it was more difficult to gain mass for his movie career.
References:
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1374980/
- https://www.mymed.com/health-wellness/fitness-and-exercise/the-facts-on-steroids-for-muscle-building/what-are-the-side-effects-of-anabolic-steroids
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Zack Efron’s body transformation is truly exceptional. Whether or not he took some steroids, kudos to that body. I’m sure training was hard for him.