the way to build Muscle like game of Thrones' Hafthór Björnsson

To name it in basic terms a log – nearly 10m lengthy, weighing 650kg – is like calling a giant redwood a tree.

Technically accurate, bound, but now not rather doing it justice. Like an enormous redwood, the list for carrying this monstrosity has stood for one thousand years. Legend has it that, after 50 men helped him get the log in place, the holder, fabled Viking Orm Storulfsson, managed three steps. On the third step, his lower back broke.

To call Hafthór Björnsson – over 2m tall and 185kg – only a 'man' doesn't fairly do him justice, either. however stood there, the mountainous Icelander looks like an ant under a matchstick. He screams to the assembled onlookers – to the gods, to himself – and grasps the thick ropes that bind the log.

Slowly, essentially imperceptibly, the log rises from the scaffold, as a force that might grind most vertebrae into dirt transfers to Björnsson's backbone. He takes three steps. He appears like his back is going to ruin. on the other hand, he takes a fourth step. after which a fifth. unexpectedly, Björnsson releases his hold close and with no trouble vaults the scaffold with an athleticism that belies his frame, crying "background" again and again again at the precise of his lungs.

He has taken his indelible region within the strongman sagas. however his everlasting spot in the dining hall of Valhalla, alongside the Norse god-king Odin and people fallen Viking warriors deemed priceless of honour, will for now continue to be unfilled.

in the meantime, Björnsson's abdominal must be sated with a kilogram of steak, and the histories updated.

"Nothing Can cease Me!!" he posts alongside an image of him tearing his T-shirt in two like a bearded, anaemic amazing Hulk. "Nothing Can destroy Me!!"

Brute drive

regardless of the absence of any previous acting adventure, Björnsson's credentials to embody online game Of Thrones's 'The Mountain' are obtrusive. on the other hand, when the skilled strongman become contacted about taking the position, he wasn't certain. "when I noticed the email, i believed it was a comic story," says the 27-yr-ancient father, whose daughter, we anticipate, wins all dad-based mostly playground arguments. "i was already a big fan of the series; I'm an excellent bigger fan now, as a result of i understand how tons work goes into it."

Björnsson for this reason grew to become the third actor in 4 seasons to play the hitherto minor role of Ser Gregor Clegane. (acquired has very nearly as few qualms about recasting characters because it does about killing them.) An 8ft brute, Clegane is dubbed 'The Mountain That Rides'. youngsters in Björnsson's case, you observed his steed would suffer the same destiny as Orm Storulfsson.

The programme makers were trying to find an accelerated actor to replace both previous beanpole incumbents for a pivotal fight scene. They essential someone who would dwarf his opponent horizontally as well as vertically. They necessary somebody who might (lunchspoiler alert!) crush a person's cranium along with his naked fingers like an overripe cantaloupe. and they also needed a person who could swing a broadsword the size of a human.

(now not most effective became Björnsson the just one on set who might carry it, he wielded it one-passed.) The audition changed into therefore somewhat unconventional. "They asked me if i was effective ample to decide upon some of the guys up," says Björnsson. "I gave it a are trying and he felt very easy. They had been shocked at how without difficulty I lifted him overhead."

aside from his prodigious size and electricity, Bjornsson had one other attribute: "i will be able to flow smartly for a huge man; that might look greater spectacular on tv." on account that thumbing his opponent's eye sockets like a bowling ball, The Mountain – wounded and poisoned – has handiest been considered in glimpses.

Björnsson is sworn to secrecy concerning plot particulars, however the appearance within the season 5 finale of a 6ft 9in, zombie-like armoured mute is a clue. at the least Björnsson gained't have many strains to be anxious about: in case you're new to performing – and English – talk can also be greater daunting than a 650kg log. "i was basically extra worried with appearing," says Björnsson. "however I did my homework. in case you're dedicated, it's going to pay off."

whereas he's bulking out his filmography, with both Swedish zombie film Zone 261 and British gangster movie Devilish Deeds slated for later this year, he's now not making an attempt to develop into the next Arnie just yet. "it might be a superb honour," says Björnsson. "He became the top of the line-ever in bodybuilding. i like performing however I still have whatever thing to prove. I wish to win the world's Strongest Man title. That's my priority."

Balling complicated

Björnsson wasn't all the time so mountainous. despite the fact he ascended to his current altitude through age 16, his physique turned into more basketballer than behemoth: certainly, he represented Iceland at U17 and U18 degree. but he turned into decreased by injuries, some of his own making.

"i used to be a little bit loopy and knowledgeable a great deal, probably three times a day," he says. "earlier than college, then afterwards, plus i used to be lifting at nighttime." A spell as a professional baller in his place of birth's first division turned into curtailed at 20 via surgery on his ankle. "i was very sad. I wasn't bound what the next step became," he says.

"Then I begun training greater in the fitness center. I've all the time enjoyed lifting heavy; I saw extraordinarily respectable outcomes." He ran less and ate more: "I just acquired hooked, seeing how potent I received and how an awful lot my body modified." In two years, he virtually doubled in weight.

however, he can still dunk and the NFL's Indiana Colts as soon as tried to signal him. Björnsson picked up strongman like he does every thing else: all too readily. "Two of my chums were competing so I determined to provide it a are trying," he says. "In my first competitors, I realised I had loads of competencies."

That turned into at Iceland's Strongest Viking. Björnsson rang up the organiser Magnús Ver Magnússon, a 4-time World's Strongest Man winner in the '90s, the day earlier than and requested if he might be part of; Ver Magnússon agreed.

The huge Numbers

474kg: Björnsson's existing max deadlift: roughly the burden of an adult grizzly undergo. Björnsson translates as 'bear's son': insert 'bear features' jokes here

440g: What Björnsson can squat: about the same as 9 bogs, or a hundred and fifty bricks – about sufficient to construct an outhouse to put a kind of bogs in at least.

250kg: yes, we asked: "How tons do you bench, bro?" This become his reply, in kg. That's the identical as two rugby union forwards from the area Cup.

without certain practicing, Björnsson gained one adventure and set an Icelandic checklist for stone carrying. That's greater awesome than it sounds: youngsters Iceland has a population of simply 323,000 individuals, no different nation can boast two four-time winners of World's Strongest Man.

Björnsson has comprehensive on the podium for the final 4 years in a row, finishing 2nd in 2014 and third in 2011, 2012 and 2015. He's been topped Europe's Strongest Man for the last two years. Björnsson now trains at a gymnasium in Reykjavik run by using Ver Magnússon known as Jakabol. literally translated, it means 'nest of giants' and is the locus of Iceland's big strongman tradition.

The gym became previously operated through the other four time World's Strongest Man winner, Jón Páll Sigmarsson, who died there of a heart attack while deadlifting. a sign on the wall reads 'no pussies' in Icelandic.

determined in a supermarket automobile park, it's no longer the type of location where you take a seat on the spin bike for half an hour shopping fb. "It's more of a uncooked, powerlifting gymnasium," says Björnsson. "It helps to have guys around you who have the equal dreams."

You could imagine that, like Mike Tyson at his height, Björnsson would fight to discover volunteers. "now not in reality," he says. "The best practicing companion isn't the man who's the strongest; it's the man who motivates you and helps you to get superior."

mind Over count number

For Björnsson, power is the priority, more so than measurement. ("I'm 185kg now; I've been as much as 205kg, but I didn't think respectable.") He's in the fitness center six instances per week, from time to time extra.

"every now and then i go in the mornings and i do stretching or cardio as neatly," he says. "It depends on what I'm working towards for: do I need to have greater persistence, or be superior?"

Björnsson's practicing sessions can remaining any place between one hour and three, counting on how he feels. For that cause, he doesn't have a 'events'. "You should mix up your practising," he says.

"When individuals ask me about my routine, it's hard to say as a result of I alternate it a week." This ad hoc method has helped The Mountain evade plateauing. "in case you at all times train the same manner your body gets used to it and you stop seeing outcomes after just a few weeks."

fighting Spirit

It's a principle that he and Arnie follow outside the fitness center. "It's the equal with existence," says Björnsson. "in case you get caught within the identical pursuits, you're on no account going to get better. so that you have to do whatever thing else to be extra successful in lifestyles."

He's in no way fearful of life's gauntlets, even if it's throwing down in opposition t the crimson Viper or The notorious UFC champ Conor McGregor. A video of the pair sparring did the rounds on social media.

"i was in ireland capturing for video game of Thrones and my buddy [Icelandic UFC fighter] Gunnar Nelson become working towards in Dublin with Conor," explains Björnsson. "I requested if I may check out a session."

regardless of the kind of evident weight class mismatch no longer viewed backyard of Rocky films, McGregor looks to come off superior. "I knew he had a large fight coming up, so i was gentle with him," says Björnsson, modestly.

most likely it's the genetic inheritance from Viking warriors that explains why Iceland's athletes dominate strongman competitions and the CrossFit games. Or why its menfolk are living longer than some other – a normal of eighty one.2 years.

"My father is tall and powerful, so is my grandfather," says Björnsson. "however I'm the most effective genuine athlete, my household is awfully athletic."

possibly it's the effect of the combat for survival on the psychology of those early settlers and subsequent generations, instead of their physiology. "after we need to be a hit at some thing, we work in fact hard," says Björnsson.

Or, in all probability a proverbial environmental ingredient is the source of their collective power; of Bjornsson's legendary power. "It's some thing in the water," he adds. "It's so clear and powerful. I accept as true with we get added power from it."

Björnsson's dietary Plan

For an expert strongman, eating is a full-time occupation: presently Björnsson consumes round 10,000- 12,000kcal a day. here's what that seems like:

When he wakes up: 6-eight eggs.

Two hours after that: Shake with 200g oats, strawberries, banana, protein powder and peanut butter.

Two hours after that: 400g hen breast with sweet potatoes and greens

all over practising: A protein shake blended with creatine.

After practicing: Meat with rice or potatoes and veggies

Two hours after that: Fish with sweet potatoes and greater greens

earlier than he goes to mattress: Casein protein