The celebrity-loved personal trainer who is responsible for turning Hugh Jackman into Wolverine has shared his top secrets – including 4am wakeups, naps and a focus on lower body training.

Don Saladino, 42, from New York, has worked with some of the most in-demand actors in the business, including Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, both of whom he is credited with making ‘superhero ready’.

Speaking on the Whoop podcast, Don shared some of his best fitness advice – and how you can get a body like Wolverine.

The celebrity-loved personal trainer who is responsible for turning Hugh Jackman into Wolverine has shared his top secrets (pictured: Don Saladino)

Don Saladino, 42, from New York, has worked with some of the most in-demand actors in the business, including Hugh Jackman, who he made ‘superhero ready’ (pictured before and after)

THE WORKOUTS

For a ‘superhero physique’ like Wolverine’s, the American coach said you should never neglect your lower body.

‘Lower body training is key [to getting ripped], and that’s probably where people mess up the most,’ Don told Whoop. 

‘Lower body training is key [to getting ripped], and that’s probably where people mess up the most,’ Don (pictured) said

‘They say they run, they walk. But it’s not the same. Training the lower body gives off a hormonal response.’

Don recommends kettlebell squats and loaded carry work for a lean and defined lower body.

‘Getting a celebrity stronger on that lift is important. 

‘If you wanna have that super hero look, your legs better be yolked,’ he said.

But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do a bit of work on the arms and biceps.

‘Arms are the sprinkles in the whipped cream. It’s the last thing we end up doing,’ Don said.

For his clients, Don recommends daily sessions of no more than an hour for a muscly physique – all of which should be weights-based.

‘People have this misconception of running around for a sweat, but there is an importance to becoming strong,’ he explained.

Don typically gets up at around 4am, in order to fit in his own breathing exercises, and then he goes to train both himself and his other clients.

The 42-year-old started training Hugh Jackman (pictured) in 2007, when he was straight off the back of starring in the musical, The Boy From Oz, and needed to change his physique 

Don (pictured) is so successful as a coach he has appeared on the cover of Muscle and Fitness magazine

The 42-year-old started training Hugh Jackman in 2007, when he was straight off the back of starring in the musical, The Boy From Oz, and needed to change his physique drastically before Wolverine.

‘He came to be at about 175lbs (79kg) and said we’re going to need to put on as much muscle as possible in the next nine or ten months,’ Don said.

Following this, he started training Jackman rigorously every single day, not only tracking his workouts, but his diet, sleep and at which points he needed to nap during each day.’  

Don (pictured working out) describes arm work and work with your biceps as the ‘sprinkles’ to your workout – and something to include last