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The Full-Body Workout Viola Davis Did to Prepare for The Woman King

Trainer Gabriela Mclain reported that Viola Davis combined running, martial arts and strength training while preparing for The Woman King. Here are the seven movements in Mclain’s published workout.
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Viola Davis’s trainer, Gabriela Mclain, described an intensive preparation for The Woman King: during three months of pre-production, Davis reportedly trained at least five hours a day, combining running, martial arts and strength work. Shape also published a seven-movement full-body workout designed by Mclain. It is a trainer-designed routine—not confirmation that Davis performed every movement exactly as printed.

How Davis reportedly trained for The Woman King

In a September 12, 2022 interview with Shape, Mclain said Davis trained for a minimum of five hours each day during three months of pre-production: one hour of running, two hours of martial arts and two hours of strength training. Those figures are Mclain’s account as reported by Shape, not independently audited training logs.

Mclain said Davis especially enjoyed deadlifts and bicep curls, while squats, step-ups and push-ups were among the movements she disliked. Those comments describe Davis’s preferences; they do not mean all of those exercises appear in the workout below.

The seven-movement workout published by Shape

Mclain’s routine uses a plate, dumbbells, a kettlebell and a barbell. The chest-press exercise can be done on a bench or on the floor. Most movements follow intervals of 45 seconds of work and 15 seconds of rest, with the number of sets varying. The instructions below summarize the published movements; use Shape’s article for its full cues and illustrations.

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One-arm closed shoulder press in split squat Dumbbell; hold a split squat and press one arm overhead with the elbow tucked. 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest; switch sides; 3 sets per side.
Split squat to Arnold press Dumbbells; rise from a split stance while rotating and pressing overhead, then return to the split squat. 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest; switch sides; 2 sets per side.
Kettlebell halo with split squat Kettlebell; circle it around the head, then move into alternating split squats. 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest; 3 sets.
Jumping lunges with lat row Kettlebells; alternate low jumping lunges while rowing on each side. 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest; 3 sets.
Chest press with bicycle crunch Barbell, performed lying on a bench or the floor; combine a chest press with alternating bicycle-leg movement. 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest; 3 sets.
Sword crunches Dumbbell; lying on the floor with knees bent, crunch while sweeping the weight forward between the knees. 45 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest; 3 sets.

Frequency and ways to scale the routine

Mclain recommended doing the published workout three to four times per week. She suggested adapting it with lighter weights, a slower tempo, less depth or body-weight substitutions. The feature does not establish a particular health or body-composition result from following the routine.

The movements combine loaded presses and rows with split squats, lunges and abdominal work. If a movement or its equipment is not appropriate for you, use a modification that keeps the exercise controlled rather than trying to match Davis’s reported training volume. Shape’s article provides the detailed exercise instructions and illustrations.

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What Mclain reported about Davis’s nutrition

Mclain told Shape that nutrition was a major part of Davis’s preparation, with the goal of gaining muscle mass. The article says her plan included carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, quinoa and brown rice; protein sources such as lean beef, chicken, fish and eggs; snacks between meals; and fats such as avocado and olive oil. Mclain also said she arranged a DNA health analysis and described Davis eating every three hours.

These are details of one actor’s reported preparation, not general nutrition or medical advice. The Shape feature does not establish that this approach is necessary or suitable for anyone else.

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