Scarlett Johansson’s journey to fitness began when she signed on to play Black Widow in the Marvel movies, starting with “Iron Man 2”. Prior to this role, she had never been to a gym, but her experience changed her entire outlook on exercise. Over the years, she has become stronger and more capable, thanks to her dedication to staying in shape. Johansson’s personal trainer, Eric Johnson, has emphasized her competitive spirit and consistency in her workouts, making her one of the most dedicated clients he has ever worked with.
Johansson’s approach to fitness includes a mix of full-body workouts, strength training, and sprinting. She tends to avoid traditional cardio, opting instead for exercises like battle ropes and kettlebells that challenge her strength and power. Her preference for athletic, full-body workouts, including a combination of different fitness techniques, has kept her engaged and motivated throughout her training. Johnson has focused on functional strength training, incorporating movements from various disciplines like plyometrics, yoga, and Olympic weightlifting.
To maintain her physique, Johansson has tried different diet techniques like carb cycling and time-restricted eating. For example, to prepare for her role in “Avengers: Endgame”, she fasted for at least 12 hours a day and cycled through days of high and low carbohydrate intake. Johnson has also set performance goals for her, focusing on attainable and performance-based targets rather than strict weight or body composition goals. By setting specific goals every 12 weeks, Johansson has been able to challenge herself and track her progress effectively.
Johansson’s workout routine has evolved over the years, with her incorporating Pilates into her regimen to give her body a break from heavy weightlifting. She has found a love for Pilates, which has become her primary form of exercise. Despite her busy schedule and occasional deviations from a strict diet, Johansson makes it a priority to exercise as often as possible to maintain her mental well-being. She credits physical exercise for keeping her mentally sane and balanced, even when other aspects of her wellness routine may fluctuate.
For her Marvel roles, Johansson engaged in circuit training and combative workouts to prepare for intense fight scenes and stunts. Bobby Strom, her former trainer, incorporated medicine balls, resistance bands, and TRX equipment into her workouts, focusing on high reps and sets to build endurance and strength. Additionally, Johansson worked with her stunt double and trained in mixed martial arts to prepare for the physical demands of action-packed scenes. By varying the intensity of her workouts and incorporating a mix of training techniques, Johansson has successfully maintained her superhero shape and continues to push her limits in the gym.
