In this, the latest sequel in the Batman franchise, Christian Bale returns to the screen as super-buff billionaire Bruce Wayne. Let's get on with the show and look at how he made Batman faster, leaner and more agile than ever!
The Dark Knight
This summer has seen some of the greatest Marvel superheroes come to life on the big screen. Iron Man was making some serious headlines with a super-buff Robert Downey Jr. as the World authority on the manufacture of military weapons.
Then we saw the much improved physique of The Incredible Hulk which amazed audiences around the globe. Now DC comics has fought back hard and brought us The Dark Knight, starring the late Heath Ledger as the notorious Joker, and probably the best Batman character ever in Christian Bale.
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What makes this movie interesting is that from a story point of view, Batman is merely an ordinary Joe Soap; yes I know he is clean cut but that is not what I mean when I say "soap".
Batman has NO superpowers, he was never bitten by a radio-active bug nor was he exposed to gamma rays in a laboratory experiment gone wrong. He is like everyone else, apart from the fact that he likes to wear tights and a mask and enjoys beating the crap out of gangsters.
In this, the latest sequel in the Batman franchise, Christian Bale comes to the screen as a super-buff-looking billionaire Bruce Wayne, as usual, giving his role as much credibility as he possibly can.
 Click To Enlarge.
Christian Bale Returns To The ScreenAs Super-Buff Billionaire Bruce Wayne.
© 2008 Warner Bros.
A few years back when he first played the role of Batman, Bale had only finished shooting for the movie The Machinist for which he had dropped 33% (61 lbs) of his normal bodyweight, down to 185 lbs.
At this weight standing at 6'2" he would not look much like anyone that could beat snow off of a wet rope let alone be a crime fighting superhero. So Bale went on a bulking up cycle where he had to pack on his weight but do so in a hurry and add as much muscle as possible in the process.
He admits to gorging himself on a daily basis. The time frame between finishing "The Machinist" and the first screen test was only 6 weeks!
Granted, when we all saw the movie Batman Begins, saying we were impressed with Christian Bale's physique was an understatement to say the least and that's without seeing the transformation from his previous emaciated role.
Click To Enlarge.
Christian Bale: From The Machinist To Batman Begins.
© 2004 Paramount Classics / © 2008 Warner Bros.
In a nutshell Christian Bale looked awesome and was quiet convincing in his roles as both Bruce Wayne and Bruce's alter ego, Batman. This movie however has far more action scenes and required Bale to be not only buff and look lean for the casual topless scene's but also be a better athlete to make the actions sequences more credible. He had to maximize the use of his speed and agility, components of fitness usually only associated with elite athletes.
An avid runner, Bale openly admits to his running being the best cure for a hangover, and if he is anything like his fellow Welshmen, who shall remain nameless, (but for the purposes of this article lets call them Mr. Gethin & Mr. Lewis - actually that's a little too obvious, lets call them Kris G and Flex L), Bale is well able to throw back a pint or two!! Another trait he shares with these two fellow country men is his lack of fear for a hard grueling workout.
Click To Enlarge.
Christian Bale As Batman
And Heath Ledger As The Joker.
© 2008 Warner Bros.
I have trained with both Kris and Flex; they are hardcore to say the least. So that being said, let's get on with the show and take a look at how Christian Bale made Batman faster, leaner and more agile than ever.
The Diet
First and foremost, the diet has to be on the ball. Getting in the meals every 2-3 hours is a must for any superhero in the making, and as we have seen in the past Bale is not shy when it comes to the physical demands of preparing for a role.
Click To Enlarge.
Bale Is Not Shy When It Comes To The
Physical Demands Of Preparing For A Role.
© 2008 Warner Bros.
Each meal should consist of a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The ideal ratio is 1:2:3 - that is 1 part fats, 2 parts protein and 3 parts carbohydrates. Knowing that we need approx 1-2 grams of protein per pound bodyweight we can calculate the fats and carbohydrates to be consumed using our ratio above.
The Training Program
The training program used for this role would consist of explosive power movements, compound exercises, agility and speed training all centering on the goal of making Bale a more realistic Superhero.
Exercises such as power cleans, high pulls, jump squats, explosive bench press...
This is where you Bench Press on a Smith Machine. Start in the locked out position, lower the weight to the chest, then explode out leaving the bar out of your hands, as the bar falls catch the bar and allow the momentum to return the bar to the on chest position. THIS IS DONE UNDER COMPLETE CONTROL - you control the weight always. Once the bar has reached the chest again immediately press the bar explosively again.
Click To Enlarge.
Batman Charges Into Action On His New Bat-Pod.
© 2008 Warner Bros.
This is an awesome exercise for developing those explosive white muscle fibers. Because the training program is so complex, compound exercises are utilized to maximize the effectiveness of each workout in minimal time.
A compound movement is any exercise which requires more than a single joint movement; the most common "compound" movements are the squat, bench, deadlift, and military press. Exercise's to enhance agility and reaction times are also used, after all, if our superhero cannot catch the villains then what use is he?
So now that we have taken a look at some of the exercises used to create a more finely tuned Batman, let us look at what a typical weeks training might look like.
 Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
- Warm up with 3 of Dumbbell Flyes - 3 sets, 12 reps
Followed by Smith Machine bench press, 3 sets, 12 reps
Although these sets are primarily to warm up the muscles of the upper body maximum weight should be used for each set of 12 reps!!!
- Explosive Bench: 4 x 10, 8, 6 reps
This exercise because of its explosive nature is a great tool for increasing the functional capabilities of the white muscle fibers. Once the bar has been taken off the rack, lower it to the chest and explode from there releasing the bar from your grip.
The height the bar achieves should be noted by your spotter, as the bar begin to return, it should be caught in the hands and returned to the start position under control but also keeping the momentum going.
- Ricochets
This is done in intervals: 2 minutes on, 30 seconds off, Mark a 2 foot wide square on the ground with tape or chalk. Jump from corner to corner as fast as you can, jumping to different corners every time. This exercise is performed for a total of 30 minutes.
Day 4:
Active rest, this a day where you do not train so hard, but are still active, a pool session is good here or a combination of swimming and aqua jogging. This will aid the recovery process.
Day 5, 6 and 7:
Conclusion
So now you are armed with the tools to transform your body into a lean mean crime fighting machine. Not only will you be able to run faster, jump higher and react as fast as lightning, but you will also look good doing it. But don't use this program to get in shape and go and kick some criminal @rse, leave that to the Dark Knight, only use it to pull chicks, that's what I do.
Click To Enlarge.
Leave The Criminal @rse Kicking
To The Dark Knight.
© 2008 Warner Bros.
Remember this may be a tough training regime but just think, the next time you are in a club and chick says, "Can I feel your muscle," who knows where it might lead, and you'll have the stamina and agility for endurance if required!
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The Dark Knight.
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