Ryan Reynolds is fun, athletic, gorgeous, hardworking yet humble. If that’s not a recipe for a comfortable and prosperous life, then we don’t know what is.

Superhero movies are no stranger if people remember Blade Trinity (2004) and Green Lantern (2011) for some reason then one of the top Ryan Reynolds’ abs inevitably led to the formation of several websites dedicated to deconstructing the exact science behind the restoration of his physical appearance. However, Reynolds admits he can’t even stand being shredded 365 days a year, let alone restoring the Blade Trinity level of chisel at will. Still, it’s only gotten better, stronger, and hotter over the last decade.

And how that might be remains to be seen in Deadpool , 2016. Ryan showcases much more than a hot body playing the character of Wade Wilson , a former Special Forces Operative turned mercenary whose unexpected cancer diagnosis forces him to take part in a mutation experiment, who transforms his body with the ability to accelerate healing powers and unnaturally sharp reflexes, but leaves him physically scarred and mentally unstable. Reynolds sets new standards in the world of comic book heroes as a sharp-tongued, cheeky anti-hero who wakes up every day to annoy other people.

life advice

The underrated actor is best known for starring in romantic comedies and has had a lengthy career path that has more to do with his looks and personal life than his acting talent. At 39, he offers more than a few jewels of wisdom to maintain a steady rise as you age and look good doing it.

Authentic, high-quality work is noticed

Ryan Reynolds has been keen to be featured in Deadpool (2016) since 2004. The project has switched studios and often fallen through due to negotiations with the directors. When the company that created Ryan Reynolds test footage in 2012 released it online in 2014, it went viral and garnered approval from several comics fans, who forced 20 ^th Century Fox to give the haunted project a release date despite Reynolds’ last major superhero flop Green Lantern .

Hard work wins over fitness

Ryan admits there are a lot of things he doesn’t have a natural talent for, but he can always be counted on to work harder than anyone to beat the competition, and that sense of discipline comes with time getting stronger and stronger. Exposing yourself to small doses of pressure will only allow you to shine during crunch time. Determination will take you anywhere.

Punctuality is the first gesture of respect towards others

Reynolds warns against taking other people’s time for granted. Keeping others waiting sends bad news that could hamper your ability to build serious credibility in any industry.

A successful team player has empathy

No job profile goes without its share of disagreements. However, the beginning of any argument is a great time to take a minute to listen carefully to what the other person has to say, rather than jump in with a counterattack.

Try to take life a little less seriously

Laughter can help you find your way out of the deepest and darkest depressions. Cultivating a sense of humor is a redeeming gentle skill that keeps you sane through your most trying times. Ryan confessed that filming and promoting Deadpool helped him heal the loss of his father who passed away in October 2015.

Sincere gratitude makes you work harder than usual

Reynolds claims to have put in 23 hours of workdays, sometimes two days in a row. When his body wants to give up from exhaustion, all he has to do is remember the privileges of being a successful actor to keep going.

Fitness Confessions

He lets himself go a lot – Reynolds humbly admits he’s just another tall, lanky dude who doesn’t show the radical muscle loss that comes with giving up training altogether.

He also committed fiascos in the gym – Despite years of training and coaching in the gym, it had been five years since Ryan went through an extended, rigorous training routine for a superhero film. The first day of training for himself Dead Pool Ryan injured his lower back and overestimated his ability to do weighted squats.

His body has suffered and recovered from several serious injuries – Dislocating his shoulder while filming Green Lantern was his most painful injury to date. But Ryan adds that he also fractured his neck, ruptured the disc in his back and fractured his vertebrae. Add to that the inconvenience of discovering a break or fracture in his body years later, after dismissing excruciating pain as a mere sprain.

No matter how drab Ryan is, he swears by functionality over looks.

fitness advice

Challenges outside of the comfort zone trigger a decrease in motivation

Never one to do a lot of cardio and training for a marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s disease was the toughest test of Ryan’s willpower. Ryan ran to support treatment for the illness that ultimately caused his father’s death. He wanted to stop several times but overcame the urge to complete 42 kilometers in an impressive time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.

However, constant pressure is also counterproductive

Reynolds’ current coach Don Saladino, based in NYC and owner of gym Drive495 advises against the “push till you kuke” mentality, as per Men’s Health UK , March 2016 issue.

If you have a life outside of the gym, chances are you’ll feel different levels of energy every time you show up for a workout. Avoid intense exercise when your mind is already tired.

For long-term progress, consistent intensity beats. Save your most brutal workouts for the days when your body and mind are well rested.

Learn to train independently

Despite the injuries and physical vulnerability, Ryan prefers to train alone, which has helped him better understand his body. By waiting to match a famous personal trainer’s schedule, he has less control over his time. Instead, he gets a tailored training schedule from his trainer and typically trains early in the morning to get the most out of the rest of his day.

Ryan’s top 3 moves for ripped abs as shown in Men’s Health, UK

1. Hanging leg raises (4 sets of 15 reps)
2. Cable Crunch (4 sets of 12 reps)
3. Landmine Twist (4 sets of 10 reps)