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Jake Gyllenhaal Reveals Muscle-Building Secrets & Training Regime That Transformed His Body For Boxing Film 'Southpaw'

South paw behind the scenes

Jake Gyllenhaal packed on the muscle for his latest role as a boxer in Southpaw, and he’s finally sharing a few secrets about the intense training he underwent to transform his body for the film!

In a behind-the-scenes clip from the movie, Gyllenhaal and the film’s director, Antoine Fuqua, chat about the hard work it took for the Hollywood star to buff up to play Billy “The Great” Hope, the reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World.

Speaking on Gyllenhaal’s workout routine, Fuqua said that he required the actor to train just like a real boxer would!

“You have to train like a fighter. I can’t have you faking it. You have to be in the gym twice a day, every day, even on Sundays,” Fuqua told Gyllenhaal as they began working on the film.

From jumping rope to lifting tires and doing incline pushups, Gyllenhaal gives viewers a brief glimpse into his daily workouts for Southpaw in the clip. And the actor reveals that he received some welcomed support from his unexpected gym partner during the process — his equally fit director, Fuqua!

Watch Jake and Antoine share the details of the actor’s Southpaw fitness regime in the video clip right here on Star!

Southpaw will hit theaters on July 24.