Vikander beefs up for ‘Tomb Raider’ reboot
How the former dancer added muscle to take on the role of Lara Croft
LOS ANGELES – I wonder how many times Alicia Vikander thought to herself while training for Tomb Raider: “Can my body handle this?”
The question must have come up while she was transforming into action heroine Lara Croft for the reboot (in theaters March 16) of the 2001 film starring Angelina Jolie.
Sure, the actress was under the careful watch of health and wellness trainer Magnus Lygdback for seven months before filming. And, yes, she had been a trained ballet dancer years before.
Still, when I tried out Vikander’s punishing workout, there were a few moments when I felt my body pushing to that limit right before seeing stars.
Fortunately, I did survive one day of the exercises that turned Vikander, 29, into the muscular rock-
climbing, butt-kicking Croft.
Here’s what Vikander went through to reshape her body:
She gained 12 pounds of muscle.
Though my experience didn’t involve weightlifting, Lygdback says Vikander’s early days of prep involved plenty of strength training, a lot of food and minimal cardio so she could bulk up her 5-foot-5 frame.
MMA fighting was part of the training.
Vikander learned to kick and punch like mixed martial arts athletes. I, too, got a taste of that training by striking a thick pad with the heels of my palms and the top of my foot.
They don’t tell you that will immediately channel all of your aggression and drain every ounce of your energy. They also don’t tell you that holding the pad while someone else hits it, well, that makes your head throb.
She ate five times a day.
Yes, it is possible to get into actionhero shape without limiting yourself to skinless chicken breast and greens. (“Hell, no!” Lygdback says. “Enjoy life.”)
“For me, it’s important that if you know what you’re doing, you can actually have good food and enjoy it,” he added. “And you’ll have a six-pack after eating it.” Vikander did even better.
She developed an eight-pack.
“You don’t see that too much in the movie, but she’s got an eight-pack” of abdominal muscles, Lygdback says. “I’m really proud about her core.”
Vikander’s strong core was crucial for preventing serious injury while she was getting beaten up onscreen.
Sometimes, she needed a rest.
Vikander isn’t someone who has trouble working hard. Instead, “she needs someone like me (to say), ‘It’s OK. We’re going to take a step back. Take a day off. Relax,’ ” Lygdback says.
On the other hand, Lygdback can also motivate someone to keep going. In my experience, mid chin-up, one genuine cheer of “You’re doing awesome!” from the bearded trainer is enough to inspire me to churn out two more sets, even when I feel as if I’m on the brink of passing out.
Apparently, my body could handle it. For a day.
As for months of this routine? Well, I’ll leave that to Vikander.