April 3, 2025, 11:46 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Acting star Patrick Schwarzenegger is currently cutting a pretty good figure once again in the hotly debated third season of “The White Lotus.” Logically, a well-toned body is a must under the Thai sun. The 31-year-old recently revealed his fitness secret for the successful HBO series and also opened up about his diet …
For “Rich Kid” Saxon Ratliff, The White Lotus is pretty much all about sex and fitness, including muscle building and protein shakes — after all, the six-pack and defined upper arms have to be shown off somehow under the Hawaiian shirts and polo shirts he regularly wears. Whether Saxon is flaunting his exaggerated ego in clothing or strutting around with broad shoulders and a bare chest… Patrick Schwarzenegger, who steps into the role of Saxon, had his work cut out for him both before and during filming to sculpt the ideal beach physique. The training routine of the son of bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger is apparently as simple as it is helpful!
Overview
Fitness Goal: Slim and Athletic!
Due to the many beach scenes in the third season of White Lotus, which is set in Thailand, Patrick Schwarzenegger had to become particularly slim and fit, i.e., less bulky. “The White Lotus was a lot about vacation, often shirtless and constantly about proteins — so I wanted to look a bit slimmer and more athletic,” the US American told Men’s Journal. Meaning: heavy weights and high-calorie consumption, unhealthy cheat meals were out of the question!
Patrick Schwarzenegger Swears by These Three Routines
To achieve his training goal, the actor didn’t rely on a brand-new trend but on tried and tested methods. The magic trifecta was simply running, walking, and strength training.
“For me, it’s essentially the holy trinity,” explains Patrick Schwarzenegger, referring to the combination of cardio and weight training. “Of course, I love doing other sports too — cycling, hiking, tennis, basketball — but these are the three I integrate most into my daily or weekly routine,” he revealed. This adaptation was not a challenge for him, as he routinely tailors his fitness and nutrition routines to fit his characters. Logically, this is part of the everyday life of a Hollywood actor.
Owing to his father’s influence, sports have always been a priority in the Schwarzenegger household. “I’ve always loved working out. We grew up with it,” says Patrick Schwarzenegger in an interview with the US magazine Men’s Health.
7 Kilos More Muscle Mass in 7 Months
For the role of Saxon, the visible build-up of the upper body also happened quite quickly. Patrick Schwarzenegger compared a scene from the beginning of season one (first episode) with a shot from an episode taken just four months later, both shots with a bare upper body. “If you look closely, you can see the difference in my weight. In episode three, I’m much browner and noticeably stronger and more muscular,” he said. In summary, he gained up to 15 pounds, or around seven kilograms, during the seven months of filming in Thailand.
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This Is What Patrick Schwarzenegger Eats
Of course, there is still the question of what meals and snacks Patrick Schwarzenegger used to build up so much muscle mass in such a short time. “I ate chicken, rice, and pad thai every day, all day long,” the US star revealed the second secret in addition to his constant training. Pad Thai, by the way, is a Thai dish. It consists mainly of rice noodles, eggs, tofu, and chicken or shrimp. Thus, it’s not only tasty but also relatively low in calories, nutrient-dense, and protein-rich.
But this is only half the truth. In order to eat as clean as possible, Patrick Schwarzenegger carried a suitcase full of his favorite protein bars with him. He often ate Greek yogurt with them, and his favorite simple, protein-rich, and filling snack was ready. According to his interview with the food portal The Kitchn, he likes to start the morning with a breakfast burrito or banana pancakes, and for lunch, he often has grilled fish or steak on the table, with vegetables, sweet potatoes, or rice as side dishes. For dinner, he prefers steak, potatoes, and vegetables, i.e., mainly meat, carbohydrates, and fat. “These are the essentials; that’s all one requires,” he summarizes.
Patrick Schwarzenegger was introduced to a healthy and balanced diet at a very young age. “As children, we didn’t have any lemonade or sugary cereals,” he recalls. “My diet is generally quite simple and healthy,” he stated.