{"id":862674,"date":"2026-08-21T01:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T01:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/862674\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T01:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T01:52:15","slug":"how-theo-james-trains-to-get-stronger-than-ever-at-41-with-a-200kg-deadlift-in-his-sights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/862674\/","title":{"rendered":"How Theo James Trains to Get Stronger Than Ever at 41 \u2013 with a 200kg Deadlift in His Sights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Theo James is 41 years old, a father and, presumably, a fairly busy bloke. He can also reportedly perform sets of pull-ups<\/a> wearing a 20kg weighted vest<\/a> and has been working towards a 200kg deadlift<\/a>.
<\/p>\n

According to a new interview<\/a> with James\u2019 trainers in British GQ, none of this is being driven by an exacting Hollywood brief, either. James simply enjoys training \u2013 and wants to become stronger in his forties than he has ever been.<\/p>\n

\u2018There was no brief to make him look a certain way,\u2019 strength coach Ethan Chen<\/a> told Tom Ward<\/a> for GQ. \u2018But among PTs we can always tell whether an actor loves working out, or if they\u2019re just in the gym because they have to be. Theo is the former. He loves training. He loves lifting weights. He loves feeling strong.\u2019<\/p>\n

Chasing a 200kg Deadlift<\/p>\n

James trains with weights four times per week, using an upper- and lower-body split. But this isn\u2019t simply about maintaining a lean, camera-ready physique. He has specific performance goals \u2013 including rebuilding his pull-ups after suffering a torn pec and damaged back.<\/p>\n

\u2018He wanted to improve his pull-ups<\/a> after being injured and we\u2019ve got him to where he\u2019s doing sets wearing a 20kg weighted vest,\u2019 says Chen.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not just \u2018good for an actor\u2019 strength. Depending on how many reps James is performing, it\u2019s an impressive benchmark for almost anyone \u2013 especially for a man who had previously lost strength and muscle while dealing with two significant injuries.<\/p>\n

His deadlift has been the next major project.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s really strong, but he wanted to prioritise his deadlift<\/a> to where he could lift 200kg,\u2019 Chen explains. \u2018He saw his deadlifts as a bit of a weakness, so he\u2019s focusing in on it.\u2019<\/p>\n

On a more relatable note, James isn\u2019t immune to the universal temptation to skip leg day.<\/p>\n

\u2018There are certain exercises, like Bulgarian split squats, which he\u2019ll only do if he\u2019s training with me… He does lean into upper-body stuff,\u2019 Chen laughed.<\/p>\n

Getting Stronger in Your 40s<\/p>\n

Despite chasing some seriously impressive numbers, James has also warned against \u2018forming identity through your body\u2019.<\/p>\n

Speaking recently on Josh Smith\u2019s Great Chat Show, James said too many men fall into the trap of believing they \u2018have to be bigger and more muscular\u2019 to gain status.<\/p>\n

That doesn’t mean he’s stopped pursuing physical goals himself. James reportedly wants to become broader, stronger and more physically imposing, partly to open the door to a wider range of roles. The distinction is between enjoying the pursuit of strength and allowing your physique to determine your self-worth.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lesson here for the rest of us dads heading into our forties and beyond. Training as you get older doesn\u2019t have to mean backing away from ambitious numbers or resigning yourself to \u2018maintenance\u2019. James has worked around serious injuries, rebuilt his strength and is still setting new targets.<\/p>\n

Just don\u2019t ask him to do Bulgarian split squats.<\/p>\n

\"kori<\/a><\/p>\n

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Ready to build muscle, burn fat and come out the other side looking, feeling and performing better? Click here<\/a> to get 14 days of free access to the plan via the Men\u2019s Health app.<\/p>\n