Main actor of the acclaimed Amazon Prime series shares how testosterone therapy aided his preparation for season 2
In Lee Childs’ original books, Jack Reacher is portrayed as ‘extremely tall’ and ‘extremely broad.’ While it may be straightforward to describe this on paper and find a tall actor, it’s more challenging to locate someone who is both towering and built like an absolute colossus. Yet, one man perfectly fit the bill, Alan Ritchson. You might recognize him as “Thad” from Blue Mountain State, but he has now taken on the part of Jack Reacher and excels in the role.
Ritchson is 6’5” tall and typically weighs around 205 lbs. However, for the Jack Reacher role, he added 30 lbs of muscle, appearing on screen at 235 lbs. Make no mistake, he’s not at all pudgy; he is unfailingly ripped. You might also have noticed that between seasons 1 and 2 of the show, Ritchson appeared significantly more muscular without an increase in his body fat ratio.
Recently, Ritchson spoke with Men’s Health UK about his transformation journey for the larger-than-life hero. Alan Ritchson also delves into why he opted for a different strategy, utilizing testosterone replacement therapy, in preparation for the second season. Let’s explore this.
Who is Alan Ritchson?
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Full Name: Alan Ritchson (Actor) |
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| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 205-235 lbs | 6’5″ | 1982 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| None | 2010s, 2020s | American |
Born on November 28, 1982, Alan Ritchson is an American actor celebrated for his standout performance in the Amazon series, REACHER. Alan initially made his acting breakthrough as Aquaman, aka Arthur Curry, on The CW’s superhero series Smallville (2005–2010), where he appeared intermittently from the fifth to the tenth season.
Ritchson garnered further attention portraying Thad Castle on Spike TV’s sitcom Blue Mountain State (2010–2012), reprising this role in the 2016 movie sequel. In 2018, Ritchson returned to the superhero genre, playing Hank Hall, also known as Hawk, on DC Universe’s HBO Max series Titans.
Alan Ritchson’s Muscle Gain
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Preparing for the first season of Reacher, the now 41-year-old actor Alan Ritchson was tasked with gaining 30 lbs in eight months, a daunting feat, especially when aiming for purely muscle gain. In past interviews, Ritchson has shared how he built a home gym to endure the most intensive exercises, ensuring he met the physical demands. However, he recently disclosed to Men’s Health that those grueling workouts took their toll.
Alan Ritchson admitted to having “worn out” his body getting into shape for season one of Reacher, leaving him in disarray and with hormonally imbalances. Many speculated he used steroids for the first season, but he stressed he only began using testosterone post-season, due to the stress and exhaustion from achieving that physique. The rigorous workouts at his age can verge on overtraining.
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Recognizing his body’s decline after the first season, Ritchson sought assistance to continue portraying Reacher for years to come, which led him to advocate for men exploring TRT as they approach middle age.
Ritchson shared that starting testosterone replacement therapy was pivotal, as he had nearly depleted his testosterone making season one. The intense training had overstressed his body, and at his age, recovering becomes more challenging. He aspired to continue playing Jack Reacher for many years, without needing surgeries after every season, so he turned to testosterone replacement for assistance.
Ritchson emphasized that he is a strong supporter of testosterone replacement, especially for men in their 40s and beyond. He pointed out that many are unaware of its availability, yet it can be life-changing as testosterone serves multiple roles beyond muscle building, such as mood stabilization.
However, Ritchson didn’t ease up on his training, as testosterone replacement doesn’t substitute hard work.
He noted that with a clinical dosage, you’ll experience normal testosterone function. Yet, if you slightly increase the dosage, as he has done, you can gain more muscle mass. The Jack Reacher star mentioned he has never taken ultra-high doses, like 600 milligrams a week, doubting he could manage it. However, with a modest increase and relentless effort in the gym, substantial results are achievable.Is Testosterone Replacement Suitable for Everyone?
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Considering testosterone replacement, it’s not a universal solution, nor will it always receive medical endorsement. For instance, the “normal” testosterone spectrum spans from 200-900 nanograms per deciliter, and if you fall within those limits, often a general practitioner might not suggest TRT. The challenge lies in individual variability; while one individual might function well at 500 ng/dL, another might struggle significantly with the same levels.
Therefore, testosterone replacement isn’t guaranteed and depends heavily on your symptoms, hormone levels, and physician’s judgment.
Who Benefits from Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
- Individuals with low testosterone
- Men in their middle ages
- People with health conditions affecting testosterone
Testosterone Enhancers
Fortunately, if obtaining prescribed testosterone isn’t an option, alternatives like over-the-counter testosterone enhancers exist. These typically come as pills or capsules filled with natural components intended to elevate your testosterone levels.
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Alan Ritchson Conclusion
In summary, Alan Ritchson has nailed his role as Jack Reacher and it’s commendable that he prioritizes his health to sustain this role for years to come. We’re eager to see what’s next for Reacher.
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