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Gabriel Luna Shows You How to Get Terminator Tough

While the heroes of the upcoming sci-fi action blockbuster Terminator: Dark Fate all have tough tasks to accomplish to save the future, you could argue that none of the characters have as intimidating a challenge as Gabriel Luna, the actor.
How to Train Like the (New) Terminator
How to Train Like the (New) Terminator

Luna plays the film's big bad, the Terminator Rev-9, a new kind of shape-shifting killer robot that can separate itself into two parts to maximize the future-altering carnage. The character looks to be absolutely formidable in the movie's early trailersbut in real life, Luna has to live up to the dread-inducing presence of the OG Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of film's all-time great antagonists.

Luna, 36, who was best known for his role as Ghost Rider on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before being cast in the movie, had a steep hill to climb to prep his body for the role. The actor told Men's Health he started training the minute he landed the first audition. I knew I had to get my body into a good place, he says, because at the time, I was drinking whiskey and smoking cigarettes and all this other stuff I didnt need to be doing if I intended to play this role. I knew Id eventually have to stand in front of this guyhe gestures to Arnoldand my motivation was, I want him to see me and see a formidable foe. I dont want him to see me and think, I could squash this guy with my thumbs.

Like most other eighties babies, Luna grew up aware of Schwarzenegger as the biggest star (both literally and figuratively) in Hollywood. The younger actor recalled watching Arnold's movies with his brother until the tape popped, along with being introduced to working out through footage of his future costar promoting the Presidents Challenge physical-fitness test as a kid in school. I have an image in my mind of him doing those pullups, Luna says. I did three, I think.

View this post on Instagram The big man and I arent shooting today, but we dont take days off. @schwarzenegger #stayready #terminators @flexgymbudapest A post shared by Gabriel Luna (@iamgabrielluna) on Sep 6, 2018 at 5:17am PDT

Luna can probably handle way more than three pullups now that he's spent an entire film cycle training to fill Schwarzenegger's shoes, especially considering the hours of workouts the two actors logged together, in Budapest and Gold's Gym in Venice, California. Luna broke down some of his favorite exercises for the Men's Health crew when we caught up with him at RetroFit in Hollywood.

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If you want to try these moves yourself, you should keep in mind that they're not part of one routine. Instead, add them to your workouts on days that you're training the relevant muscle groupsand always be sure to stay within your experience and abilities before you add more weight.

Gabriel Luna's Favorite Terminator Exercises

Leg Warmup

Lateral Walks and Monster Walks

  • 3 sets of 10 steps in each direction
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Shoulder Warmup

Dumbbell External Rotations

  • 3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Front Raises

  • 3 sets of 10 reps
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Dumbbell Lateral Raises

  • 3 sets of 10 reps

The Exercises

Bicep Curl 21s

  • 3 sets of the series
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Arnold Press

  • 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps

Dips

  • 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps

Dumbbell Chest Pullover

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  • 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps

Trap Bar Deadlift

  • 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps

Straight-Arm Lat Pulldown

  • 4 sets of 12 to 15 reps
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Core Workout

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabriel Luna (@iamgabrielluna) on Nov 28, 2018 at 10:28am PST

Dragon Flag Lowers

  • 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps

Russian Twists

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  • 4 sets of 1 minute of work

Cardio Finishers

Assault Bike

10 minutes

3 sets of:

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  • 1 minute above 70 rpm
  • 2 minutes 40-50 rpm
  • 1 minute above 70 rpm

or

Battle Ropes

10 minutes

  • Alternate between 1 minute of high intensity and 2 minutes of moderate intensity
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