May 23, 2025, 12:25 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
You can’t escape him right now! Whether in mainstream media or on social media, everyone is celebrating Pedro Pascal. He plays a tough guy in the hit series “The Last of Us,” advocates for justice and equality in his personal life, speaks his mind—and flexes his muscles in Cannes. It’s all admirable, so let’s take a closer look at his fitness secrets.
Pedro Pascal likes to highlight important topics and people close to him, such as his sister or his “The Last of Us” co-star Bella Ramsey. He himself remains rather modest and doesn’t easily share personal information, including about his fitness routine. In the past, he has described it briefly as “basic.” He simply sticks to the fundamentals of training rules. Fortunately, his trainer hasn’t always been so reserved. In an interview, he revealed how his famous client trained for “The Last of Us.” The training was actually a very simple bodyweight program. It’s likely that Pedro Pascal has maintained what he learned to prepare for the second season of the series. The results were impressively visible recently in Cannes, where the actor showcased his muscles on the red carpet.
Details Revealed by Pascal’s Trainer
In an interview with “GQ,” celebrity trainer David Higgins provided insights into Pedro Pascal’s training in 2023. What was the main focus? Flexibility and a strong core. Therefore, many exercises for the abdominal muscles were included in the program. The trainer also incorporated a trending sport into Pascal’s routine: calisthenics. This is essentially a “street workout” that combines elements of gymnastics, strength training, and parkour. The exercises aim to train both strength and mobility. Ideal for a celebrity’s fitness, especially one preparing for action roles. Even outside of TV and film shoots, Pedro Pascal is likely to benefit from this type of training: At 50 years old, he falls into the age group where strength and flexibility are crucial for long-term health.
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A Sample Pedro Pascal Workout
So, what does a typical workout for the actor look like? His trainer has also shared this. He preferred to have Pedro Pascal do circuit training and described one such example:
Execution
- Repeat the entire circuit five times
- Perform each exercise for 60 seconds
- Take a 30-second break between rounds
1. Mountain Climbers
Start in a high plank position, meaning on your hands, not forearms. Keep your head aligned with your spine, and engage your core. Alternately bring one knee to the opposite elbow, then return to the starting position and switch sides. For a cardio effect, perform the exercise quickly; for more core stability, do it slowly and controlled.
2. Bulgarian Split Squats
Stand about 24 to 48 inches away from a bench, with your back to it. Place one leg back on the bench (laces down). Keep the standing foot under your hip. Lower your body until the knee of the back leg almost touches the ground. The front knee should form a 90-degree angle. Push yourself back up through the heel of the front foot.
3. Swimmers
For this exercise, lie face down on a mat with arms and legs extended in the so-called Superman position. Then simultaneously lift the right arm and left leg slightly off the ground. Switch sides afterward. Repeat alternately in a steady rhythm for 60 seconds.
4. Push-ups
Return to the plank position: hands under shoulders, core engaged. Bend your arms and lower your chest toward the ground. Keep elbows close to your body as you explosively push back up.
5. Plank
Finally, perform the plank, which was the base position for previous exercises, as a standalone exercise. Go into a forearm plank and maintain a straight line from head to heel. Engage your abdominal and glute muscles, and don’t let your hips sag. Hold the position for 60 seconds.