December 14, 2024, 2:26 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is anything but a Marvel newcomer. After his successes in the “Kick-Ass” and “Avenger” films, he is now returning to the comic universe as Kraven. FITBOOK Editorial Director Melanie Hoffmann found out from his trainer, David Kingsbury, how he prepared for the role of the Marvel villain, what he had to work on the most, and how he managed an incredible transformation.

“Working on ‘Kraven’ Was a Dream Come True”

FITBOOK: Was this the first time you worked with Aaron Taylor-Johnson on a movie? What was your first impression of the Hollywood star?
David Kingsbury: “Kraven was the first movie I made with Aaron. We’ve since done several projects together. We actually come from the same city and were even born in the same hospital, but it took Kraven, which was shot in the UK, for us to work together.”

What made you decide to work with the actor on this film in particular (“Kraven the Hunter”)?
“I love working on films like this. The more action and suspense, the better. Over the last few years, I’ve worked in many different genres and with many different roles. So when Kraven came along, it was a dream come true for me – the chance to help actors look like comic book characters again.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Already Had Muscles But Had to Lose Body Fat

Could you describe Johnson’s fitness level at the onset of training for “Kraven the Hunter”?
“His fitness level was really good, but we still had some work to do. Muscle building is a process that normally takes place in two phases: first, a mass phase and then a definition phase. When Aaron started, he had already built up a good amount of muscle mass, but we still had to reduce a lot of body fat to be ready for the start of filming.”

What skills and physical attributes did Johnson need to develop for the role?
“Aaron always immerses himself completely in the characters he plays and does a tremendous amount of work to understand and embody the character. For Kraven, he researched and trained in many areas, such as parkour, movement training, and, of course, physical transformation. He not only had to look like ‘Kraven,’ but he also had to be able to move like ‘Kraven.'”

How Kingsbury Works out the Training Plans for His Famous Clients

Could you outline your coaching process? How do you tailor the training to meet the individual needs of your clients?
“There are usually several steps and people I have to talk to. For Kraven, I first talked to Aaron to get his ideas and perceptions. Then, I had meetings with Eunice Huthhart, the stunt coordinator, to understand the nature of the stunts and the physical demands of the shoot. Finally, I try to get an overview of the shooting schedule to identify priority days for certain scenes like stunts or key shots, such as topless scenes or other physically challenging moments that should be emphasized. I’ve worked in the film industry for a long time, and the key is to create an overall plan that you can follow, but at the same time remain flexible enough to make adjustments as things change – and they always do.”

The “Kraven” Training of Aaron Taylor-Johnson

What did Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s training look like?
“We typically did 4 to 5 weight training sessions a week, 45 to 60 minutes each. During the preparation period, we also incorporated 1 to 2 short conditioning and sprinting sessions per week to prepare for some scenes at the beginning of filming. These were omitted after the scenes were completed. Aaron also had to learn additional stunts and practice specific stunt techniques. For weight training, we mainly did an upper/lower body split program. During filming, we implemented this as a 5-day program as we usually couldn’t train for more than 40 minutes due to early starts and long days.”

Did you also do specific workouts to help Aaron Taylor-Johnson learn to move more like an animal for the movie?
“This is an area that a movement coach often takes on to work out the specific requirements. My job was to support Aaron’s strength and fitness so that he could do the scenes safely and effectively. We incorporated sprinting sessions early in the preparation phase to lay the foundations for big stunt scenes.”

Could you describe a typical day of training?
“There is no ‘typical’ day when working on a movie like this. However, during the preparation phase, we had a good routine of training, nutrition, stunt rehearsals, etc. Once filming starts, things change quickly. We often trained early in the morning or late at night. I coordinated with the chef on set to make sure Aaron got everything he needed. We also warmed up and prepared for the stunts on each day.”

As a trainer, how else did you support Johnson during filming?
“My main job was to get him through the movie safe and sound. During filming, we trained less than in the preparation phase, and the sessions were shorter. But a lot remained the same. I managed his warm-up exercises for stunts, daily nutrition, training, and recovery.”

“This is What I Learned from Working with Taylor-Johnson”

Your famous clients certainly learn from you, but you certainly learn from them, too. What did you take away from working with Aaron Johnson?
“It was great to see how an actor can be so talented at performing stunts. I learned that great actors can also be great stunt people.”

You have worked with many celebrities. Does anyone stand out?
“I’ve worked with over 50 actors over the years and always enjoy the new challenges – different people, different roles, and unique productions.”

“Training Must Always be Specific to the role”

Do you have general rules for preparing to work with actors, or does it depend heavily on the individual? For example, do you prepare differently for Chris Hemsworth than for Jennifer Lawrence?
“The most important thing when preparing actors for their roles is that the training is specific to the role. I’ve worked on movies where it was all about making sure the actors had enough stamina to do tightrope stunts and look like they were flying in space. But I’ve also prepared an entire cast to look like they’re dying of hunger while stranded at sea. Or I’ve trained someone to do trapeze tricks in the circus. There are so many different movie genres and stories that I can explore a variety of training methods and goals as a trainer.”

Is it more fun to work with someone like Chris Hemsworth, who is already super fit and experienced in fitness, or someone who is just starting out?
“Most of the actors I work with have done some kind of physical activity before. I enjoy both equally, as long as the person is motivated to put in the work.”

Tell us about your own career: What was your path to becoming a celebrity trainer?
“I started out in a small personal training studio at Pinewood Film Studios. After a few years there, I started working with actors and have since traveled the world working with great people on great projects. But I’ve never worked on a movie in Hollywood. Most of the films I’ve worked on have been shot in parking lots in England.”

How would you describe your fitness philosophy as a trainer?
“Open, health-oriented, and always willing to learn.”

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David Kingsbury’s 3 Training Tips

Could you share three essential fitness tips for our readers to focus on during their training?
“You should be specific. Training should be tailored to specific goals. Make sure you eat a balanced diet. Focus on unprocessed foods with high nutrient density to support energy and hormone function.
Prioritize strength training. For better body composition, incorporate weight training three to four times a week.”