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Superbodies: The 10 Fittest Comic Heroes

'M&F' salutes the 10 buffest, most badass comic book superheroes.

by M&F Editors
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Superbodies: The 10 Fittest Comic Heroes

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1 OF 11

1 of 11

Superbodies: The 10 Fittest Comic Heroes

The Rules

From the very early days of the sport, bodybuilders have been inspired by comic books. Bodybuilders, in turn, went on to inspire a generation of comic book artists. Now, in the era
 of the comic book movie, the actors who portray superheroes have inspired gym rats and future bodybuilders around the globe. 
In honor of this powerful, self-perpetuating circle of motivation, we rank the top 10 superheroes who got the big-screen treatment from actors who trained their asses off. The criteria to make this list was simple: The character in question had to be a hero whose original source material was a comic book, and the actor portraying the character had to show an exemplary physique onscreen. To nip some FAQs in the bud: Since Conan the Barbarian’s source material was a novel, Arnold’s portrayal of that character is ineligible. Likewise, Arnold’s turn as Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin is also out, as this list honors heroes, not villains.

2 of 11

Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern

Green Lantern – Ryan Reynolds, 2010

The suit might glow, but the body is real. And after seeing Reynolds as Deadpool in the first Wolverine movie, and in his own solo film after, there’s no doubting the fact that his physique is the product of many long hours in the gym.

3 of 11

Chris Evans Captain America

Captain America – Chris Evans, 2011- Present

Evans got considerably bigger for this role than when he played the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films, pumping iron for an hour and 15 minutes every day, and chasing that with high-intensity cardio.

4 of 11

Sylvester Stallone Judge Dredd

Judge Dredd 
- Sylvester
 Stallone, 1995

This isn’t Stallone’s best shape (or film) by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s never been out of shape, and any comic hero he played would be worthy of inclusion on this list.

5 of 11

Michael Jai Spawn

Spawn – Michael Jai White, 1997


If White made the physical aspect of playing Spawn look easy, it’s because he’s a lifelong martial arts expert, holding down seven different black belts.

6 of 11

Wesley Snipes Blade

Blade – Wesley Snipes, 1998, 2002, 2004

Weight training, Pilates, kickboxing—you name it, Snipes did it—and looked like a fitness model through three of his best movies.

7 of 11

Christian Bale Batman

Batman – Christian Bale, 2005, 2008, 2012

The best Batman movies to date also featured the Caped Crusader in his best fighting shape. Bale’s version of the character is the biggest, most imposing Batman ever.

8 of 11

Chris Hemsworth Thor

Thor – Chris Hemsworth, 2011 – Present

Trainer Duffy Gaver put Hemsworth through an old-school bodybuilding routine and diet to achieve the character’s mythical proportions.

9 of 11

Superman

Superman – Christopher Reeve, 1978-1987; Henry Cavill, 2013
 – Present

Reeve’s physique might not wow the audiences of today, but there’s no denying he perfected the silver-age look of the character, and his rigorous training is well-documented. Cavill’s Superman is a perfect modern-day update, and his high-intensity approach with trainer Mark Twight made him worthy of an M&F cover.

10 of 11

Hugh Jackman Wolverine

Wolverine – Hugh Jackman, 2000 – 2017

Over a decade after his first turn as Wolverine in the original X-Men movie, and Jackman is still going strong. His consistent conditioning over so many films made
 him a no-brainer for a high spot. To see the exact routine that got him bigger and more shredded than ever for The Wolverine, check out our Wolverine Workout.

Get the full Wolverine feature in the August 2013 issue of M&F >>

Back to Wolverine: Shredded and Unleashed >>

11 of 11

Punisher

The Punisher – Dolph Lundgren, 1989; 
Thomas Jane, 2004


Lundgren has maintained a hulking physique throughout his career. Jane, meanwhile, immersed himself in navy SEAL training to nail the part of antihero Frank Castle. We will have to see if Jon Bernthal will be able to dethrone Lundgren for the spot as The Punisher once the series is released.

Back to intro

The Rules

From the very early days of the sport, bodybuilders have been inspired by comic books. Bodybuilders, in turn, went on to inspire a generation of comic book artists. Now, in the era
 of the comic book movie, the actors who portray superheroes have inspired gym rats and future bodybuilders around the globe. 
In honor of this powerful, self-perpetuating circle of motivation, we rank the top 10 superheroes who got the big-screen treatment from actors who trained their asses off. The criteria to make this list was simple: The character in question had to be a hero whose original source material was a comic book, and the actor portraying the character had to show an exemplary physique onscreen. To nip some FAQs in the bud: Since Conan the Barbarian’s source material was a novel, Arnold’s portrayal of that character is ineligible. Likewise, Arnold’s turn as Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin is also out, as this list honors heroes, not villains.

Green Lantern - Ryan Reynolds, 2010

The suit might glow, but the body is real. And after seeing Reynolds as Deadpool in the first Wolverine movie, and in his own solo film after, there’s no doubting the fact that his physique is the product of many long hours in the gym.

Captain America - Chris Evans, 2011- Present

Evans got considerably bigger for this role than when he played the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films, pumping iron for an hour and 15 minutes every day, and chasing that with high-intensity cardio.

Judge Dredd 
- Sylvester
 Stallone, 1995

This isn’t Stallone’s best shape (or film) by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s never been out of shape, and any comic hero he played would be worthy of inclusion on this list.

Spawn - Michael Jai White, 1997


If White made the physical aspect of playing Spawn look easy, it’s because he’s a lifelong martial arts expert, holding down seven different black belts.

Blade - Wesley Snipes, 1998, 2002, 2004

Weight training, Pilates, kickboxing—you name it, Snipes did it—and looked like a fitness model through three of his best movies.

Batman - Christian Bale, 2005, 2008, 2012

The best Batman movies to date also featured the Caped Crusader in his best fighting shape. Bale’s version of the character is the biggest, most imposing Batman ever.

Thor - Chris Hemsworth, 2011 - Present

Trainer Duffy Gaver put Hemsworth through an old-school bodybuilding routine and diet to achieve the character’s mythical proportions.

Superman - Christopher Reeve, 1978-1987; Henry Cavill, 2013
 - Present

Reeve’s physique might not wow the audiences of today, but there’s no denying he perfected the silver-age look of the character, and his rigorous training is well-documented. Cavill’s Superman is a perfect modern-day update, and his high-intensity approach with trainer Mark Twight made him worthy of an M&F cover.

Wolverine - Hugh Jackman, 2000 - 2017

Over a decade after his first turn as Wolverine in the original X-Men movie, and Jackman is still going strong. His consistent conditioning over so many films made
 him a no-brainer for a high spot. To see the exact routine that got him bigger and more shredded than ever for The Wolverine, check out our Wolverine Workout.

Get the full Wolverine feature in the August 2013 issue of M&F >>

Back to Wolverine: Shredded and Unleashed >>

The Punisher - Dolph Lundgren, 1989; 
Thomas Jane, 2004


Lundgren has maintained a hulking physique throughout his career. Jane, meanwhile, immersed himself in navy SEAL training to nail the part of antihero Frank Castle. We will have to see if Jon Bernthal will be able to dethrone Lundgren for the spot as The Punisher once the series is released.

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