Alex Pettyfer Workout Routine

Alex Pettyfer Kino Workout

Alex Pettyfer Workout

If you want to build a lean and fit physique like Alex Pettyfer then you should incorporate exercise techniques from the Alex Pettyfer Workout. Alex Pettyfer is quickly becoming one of hollywoods most sought after actors with starring roles in Beastly and I Am Number Four. It doesn’t hurt that he has a very defined physique with chiseled abs. While being on the leaner side, Alex Pettyfer still has a physique that kinobody strongly supports and encourages. Besides, girls just go crazy for this guy with his washboard abs and british accent. We are going to take a look at the Alex Pettyfer workout to build a movie star worthy body.

Alex Pettyfer Workout Scene from Beastly

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMHn5aqqjVk

Alex Pettyfer’s Lean and Ripped Physique 

One thing I never would of guessed is that Alex Pettyfer stands  5’10 1/2″ tall. His lean and slender physique creates the illusion of him appearing much taller. In fact if I had to guess before researching his height I would of guessed 6’1″. Another benefit of being very lean is the way it transforms your face. Low body fat = angular and defined facial features = really really ridiculously good looking.

Pettyfer Physique Breakdown 

Now we are going to look at the different aspects of Pettyfer’s physique and what makes it stand out. The first things that come to mind when looking at Pettyfer is his broad shoulders and back, his narrow waist and his square pecs. The Alex Pettyfer Workout routine must address these qualities. This seems to be the basis of his physique and everything else just falls into place. Pettyfer’s has a very strong shoulder to waist ratio. A strong shoulder to waist ratio is a universal sign of attraction in men.

Exercises for Broad Shoulders and Back

1. Pull ups. 

When it comes to having broad shoulders the lats (main muscles of the upper back) dominate. Training the back is the key to developing broad shoulders and pull ups are your best option. Build up to 12 consecutive repetitions of pull ups and you will surely be satisfied with the development of your back musculature.

After that, start adding weight to your pull ups by using a high-quality weight belt.

2. Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Presses

Adding muscle onto the shoulders is important too. This is why shoulder presses should be emphasized too. Perform them seated on a bench to maximize recruitment of the shoulder muscles.

3. Dumbbell Lateral Raises

The combination of shoulder presses and pull ups do a great job hitting most the muscles of the shoulders. Shoulder presses put more emphasis on the anterior delts and pull ups hit the posterior delts quite effectively. The medial deltoids require extra specialization to maximize total development of the shoulders. Lateral raises with dumbbells out to the side do a great job at working the medial delts.

Exercises for Masculine Square Pecs 

1. Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

The key to developing masculine square pecs is to focus on working the upper pectorals. This is easily done by performing bench presses on a bench with 30-45 degree incline. When performing this exercise keep the shoulders retracted (pull shoulders back and in) and use a full range of motion to stimulate the chest most effectively. I have recently worked up to 110 lbs dumbbells per arm for 4 repetitions and I couldn’t be more pleased with my chest development. However if you are striving to look like Alex there is no need to aim for this level of strength. If you can hit 50% of your body weight per arm for 5 reps than you are doing excellent. So if you are 160 lbs then 80 lbs dumbbells per arm for 5 reps would be a good goal.

2. Incline Dumbbell Flyes

Incline Dumbbell Flyes are a great exercise for the chest. This exercise allows for a tremendous range of motion that really helps build the chest. I like to keep a slight bend in the elbows when doing this exercise. By doing so I hit my chest more effectively and protect my shoulders from injury.

How to achieve a narrow waist line

Pettyfer’s narrow waist line is the key to his physique. Without it he wouldn’t look nearly as good. A narrow waist creates the illusion of broader shoulders and a bigger chest. The only way you will achieve a narrow waist line is by getting down to a low body fat through dieting.  In addition having a low body fat is what makes Pettyfer’s abs look so spectacular. Only 5-10% of the way your abs look come down to training. The other 90-95% is having a low bodyfat.

40 Comments

  1. John Clay on February 18, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    I really like the back workout, it’s simple but yet really effective. I would think this is more for a beginner as you would need more volume as one would progress.

  2. Daniel on July 18, 2013 at 4:44 am

    Awesome workout, but Alex Pettyfer still needs to be gain more muscle. He looks too skinny now.

    • Andrew on September 11, 2013 at 4:29 am

      By the way, how many reps?

      • Greg on September 11, 2013 at 12:57 pm

        Build up to 12 reps per exercise then start adding weight with a weighted vest, dipping belt or back pack with weights.

        • Andrew on September 12, 2013 at 2:52 am

          Also, what is the rest time and should I still add weights if I can only perform 12 reps during my first set (without weights) and the other sets I can only do below 10?

          • Greg on September 13, 2013 at 11:22 am

            I’d rest 2-3 minutes between sets for most exercises or as long as it takes to feel fully recovered.



  3. Andrew on July 17, 2013 at 5:23 am

    Is there a bodyweight version to look like him?

    • Greg on July 18, 2013 at 9:24 am

      Feet elevated push ups, pull ups, chin ups, dips, handstand push ups, pistol squats and leg raises. 3 sets each!

  4. Xavier on May 29, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    Hey Greg,

    For working the obliques are dumbbell side bends ok? I heard that they can increase the size of your waist but the increase is small. And is it better to work your abs until failure or within a certain rep/set range, and should you use weights when working your abs?

    • Greg on May 30, 2013 at 9:52 am

      I wouldn’t waste your time with side bends. Do side planks and renegade rows to strengthen your obliques. For abs, focus on hanging leg raises and side to side bent knee ups. There will be no need to add weight. 10-15 reps per set is ideal.

  5. Xavier on May 25, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    Dear Greg,

    Which routine is better? 5 reps and 3 sets or 3 reps and 3 sets? Because all I really want to do now is build pure muscle density and definition, and I heard that the lower reps you do the better it is for density and definition. I’ve been doing the 5×3 for a little while and have noticed great gains in strength and have become a little more defined, especially on my chest when working out. Now I’m going to try and kick it up a notch on my workouts because I want to get a lot more defined on my chest, shoulders and triceps for summer. Thank you

    • Greg on May 27, 2013 at 8:41 am

      Definition comes down to body fat levels and muscle mass. If you have good muscle development and low body fat, you will look extremely toned and defined. Doing low or moderate reps will make a very insignificant difference in appearance of tone. I’d recommend doing 4-6 reps. Going lower than 4 is more taxing on your nervous system and joints.

  6. Xavier on March 9, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Hey Greg, how many reps and sets would you suggest to have the same physique as him?

    • Greg on March 10, 2013 at 7:38 pm

      I’d go for about 3-4 sets of 6-12 reps when building up. Once you reach that level of muscle development, you could probably get by with 2 sets of 6-10 reps. Or if you prefer to lift heavy, consider training in the 4-8 rep range.

  7. Michael McIntyre @somebodylied.com on October 27, 2011 at 3:34 am

    I thought I recognised this guy when I saw him, but couldn’t quite nail it but ye remember him from I am Number Four- I did think the movie was pretty rubbish in all honesty lol. But ye he has that physique that we all seem to have and focus on teaching people to attain.

  8. Josh on October 26, 2011 at 10:02 am

    @Greg did you read the recent article Martin Berkhan did on leangains?

  9. John on October 26, 2011 at 9:38 am

    @Greg I mean hemsworth’s trainer basically did a bulk and cut routine with him and used kettle-bell circuits to burn the fat. His arms were big probably like 17 inches. This guy in this article looks like he has maybe 14 inch arms if I had to guess

  10. Claudio on October 25, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    Hey Greg, was just wondering if you could possibly do a small write up/post about Carb:Protein:Fat Ratios with different body types like Endomorph, Ecto, & Meso just because, i havent found a post on Ratios for different body types, I just wanted to know how sensitive each body type is to carbs in a Ratio perspective.

    Thanks

  11. John on October 25, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    @Greg you think Chris Hemsworth took HGH or other performance enhancing drugs? Good lighting and pump aside he got big fairly quick…..

    • admin on October 26, 2011 at 7:04 am

      @John

      I don’t think he took HGH. The guy is a very gifted athlete with great genetics and the results he achieved are incredible but not impossible.

  12. james on October 25, 2011 at 9:17 am

    how would you maintain this sort of bodyfat percentage?

    • admin on October 26, 2011 at 7:01 am

      @James

      I have found the most effective way to maintain low body fat percentage is to alternate low calorie days on rest days (high protein, moderate fat, low carb) and high calorie days on workout days (high carb, moderate protein and low fat). Lift 3-4x per week and stick to low intensity cardio and short sprints on non lifting days.

      On rest days consume 12 calories per pound of bodyweight and on workout days consume 18 calories per pound of bodyweight.

  13. Stephen on October 23, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    Whats your guess on his bodyfat?

    • admin on October 23, 2011 at 6:48 pm

      @Stephen

      He’s pretty lean. He has the lower abs veins. I would say around 8-9%

  14. Isaac on October 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    What are your thoughts on jack3d?

    • admin on October 20, 2011 at 4:14 pm

      @Isaac.

      Not a huge fan of Jack3d and most pre workout supps. There filled with chemicals and crap. I take prograde metabolism before my workouts and it gives me awesome energy.

  15. Keith on October 16, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Good post Greg. This looks like a great routine to get a body like Alex’s. He’s muscular, but not overly muscular and has an easily maintainable level of bodyfat.

  16. Dave - Not Your Average Fitness Tips on October 16, 2011 at 11:53 am

    Nice review of what it takes to get the Alex Pettyfer look. He certainly has that lean Hollywood look with a good shoulder to waist ratio that women love. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of him in future movies as well.

  17. Randy on October 15, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Hey Thanks Greg for the post, any ideas on how much he weighs?

    • admin on October 15, 2011 at 9:13 am

      @Randy

      He’s 5’10 1/2 and probably around 160 lbs

  18. james on October 14, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    what bodyfat percentage would this guy or someone like taylor lautner have?

    • admin on October 14, 2011 at 2:36 pm

      @James

      Your looking at around 8% bodyfat to have the same definition of taylor lautner.

  19. Alameen on October 12, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    I want to look the way brad pitt did in fight club, would this workout work for my goal as well?

    • admin on October 14, 2011 at 8:21 am

      @Alameen

      Yes this would be ideal for the brad pitt fight club physique.

  20. Jason on October 12, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    Nice article. With regards to the back exercises, what are your thoughts on the “Pull-Ups” vs. “Chin-Ups” debate? I was always one for pull-ups, but have been recently doing the Visual Impact course, and all of Rusty’s back exercises call for chin-ups. I didn’t know if one was better for an “overall” exercise.

    • admin on October 12, 2011 at 1:25 pm

      @Jason

      I used to be a big proponent of pull ups over chin ups. However my views have changed recently. I find that very few people are able to do pull ups properly but they can do chin ups with pretty good technique. Chin ups work more muscles then pull ups and if done properly chin ups can hit the lats pretty hard. In addition chin ups stimulate your abs better.

      Both should be included though as well as parallel grip chins.

      • Mike on August 23, 2013 at 5:15 am

        I think all Pullups variations are great and should be performed.

        Chinups recruit more biceps, chest and core than pullups, making it a better exercise for those looking to build an attractive body;
        Pullups recruit more rhomboids, posterior deltoid and lower traps than chinups, making it a better overall back exercise and excellent exercise for improving posture.
        Lat recruitment is similar in both variations (when performed correctly).

        Still, the best overall Pullup variation is probably the neutral grip pullup: not only does it work all the muscles worked by both chinups and pullups but it’s also the easiest variation on your shoulders and elbows, thus being perfect for begginers.

  21. Tim on October 12, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Great article Greg, you have nailed the important bodyparts that must be trained for you to get that lean, musculature look.

    Pettyfer must have followed a pretty tight diet when filming for those movies. I’m guessing minimal carbs, clean protein, healthy fats and some supplements here and there. I wonder if he did any conditioning workouts.

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