August 5, 2025, 2:30 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Zac Efron has been known in the past not to shy away from pushing his body to the limit in preparation for film roles. For movies like “Baywatch” and “Iron Claw,” he had to achieve a certain ideal physical version–sometimes using unhealthy methods. He seems to have distanced himself from that now, partly because of unpleasant long-term effects. Zac Efron’s focus today: a healthy body and longevity.
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Zac Efron is proud to give his all for his roles–both physically and mentally. But by the time he transformed for the film “The Iron Claw,” in which Efron played the famous wrestler Kevin von Erich, the actor painfully realized that his body couldn’t handle everything in the long run. The preparation for the wrestling film left the 37-year-old with back problems that even physical therapy couldn’t alleviate. He had to find a new path and discovered the topic of longevity for himself.
Stem Cell Therapy and Longevity
Fans of the actor noticed an Instagram post in fall 2024 among numerous pictures showing Efron with friends, family, and mostly in nature, that stood out. Zac Efron posted a photo of himself next to a doctor in a clinic. In the background, the name “eterna” can be seen. A quick search revealed that it is “Eterna Health,” a company that has set out to “Revolutionize Longevity & Regenerative Medicine Treatments.” It aims to revolutionize treatments for longevity and regenerative medicine.
A look at the website clarifies what exactly is behind it. Clients can choose from a variety of offerings, including longevity and vitality, pain and injury therapy, and performance enhancement. One treatment the company offers is stem cell therapy, and it seems Zac Efron underwent this treatment with satisfactory results. At least, that’s what the mentioned social media post suggests.
In the caption, the 37-year-old writes: I dedicate myself fully to my roles, which I love, but it takes its toll: After ‘The Iron Claw,’ my back was ruined, even after months of physical therapy. Out of interest in stem cell therapy, I reached out to @dr.akhan from @eterna.health. He answered all my questions and made me feel good. Now, six months after the treatment, I’m back in the gym and already noticing improvements. I’m excited to explore the latest technologies around longevity as part of the Eterna Membership Program–I’ll keep you updated on my progress!”
In His Series, Zac Efron Explored the World of Centenarians
Not only due to his physical problems but also for his travel series “Down to Earth with Zac Efron,” in which he explored sustainable lifestyles worldwide with a wellness expert, the actor came into contact with longevity. For one episode, he traveled to Sardinia and learned about the diet of the centenarians living there.
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Zac Efron’s Body Transformations Were So Extreme
Not an ounce of body fat and impressive muscles–that’s how Zac Efron appeared alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in “Baywatch” in 2017. In preparation, Efron worked with personal trainer Patrick Murphy, who was by his side daily for stability, strength, mobility, and athletic training. Years later, Zac Efron revealed that diet and training for the “Baywatch” look, which he retrospectively described as “fake” and “computer-animated,” were not enough. In fact, he had to use a medication that was highly diuretic to help reduce his body fat by an additional two or three percent. The consequences of the extreme body transformation were constant hunger and depression.
For “The Iron Claw,” Zac Efron once again took on a role that demanded everything physically. This time, instead of aiming for a fat-free body, it was about a lot of muscle volume so he could credibly portray a wrestler. The training goal was “bulking,” or mass building. This meant for Zac Efron: increased calorie intake with lots of protein and healthy carbohydrates, as well as strength training with very heavy weights.
Other Celebrities Also Push Physical Limits for Films
Zac Efron is far from the only celebrity who pushes his body to extremes to shape it for a role. The best current example is probably Alan Ritchson. For the perfect “Reacher” body, he trains diligently and also supplemented with testosterone.
Other examples of stars who have transformed their bodies include Chris Hemsworth, Mark Wahlberg, Chris Pratt, Jake Gyllenhaal, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brie Larson, and Viola Davis.