Getting in shape for a role isn’t new for actor Glen Powell. But for Hulu’s Chad Powers, he took things to a whole new level—sacrificing habits, skipping the gym, and pushing his body in unconventional ways to transform into a convincing college football quarterback.
Instead of bulking up with weights or spending hours lifting, Powell relied entirely on functional training and gave up alcohol to stay game-ready.
The results speak for themselves—and the methods might surprise you.
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Powell ditched alcohol—and it made a big impact
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Powell shared that one of the biggest shifts he made while preparing for Chad Powers was cutting out alcohol. But the decision was partially out of necessity.
“What was probably helpful to my diet is that I can’t drink alcohol when I’m wearing that mask because the face will fall off,” Powell explained, referencing the prosthetics he wore to play Chad. “So I’ll sweat out [the] alcohol.”
Filming during Atlanta’s hot and humid summer didn’t help either. Powell admitted he’s naturally a heavy sweater, and wearing a facial prosthetic in high heat made it nearly impossible to indulge—even off the clock.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Though he initially gave it up due to the makeup, Powell quickly discovered that skipping drinks helped him stay lean while pulling long days on set and staying fully active as a pretend college athlete.
He trained like a real athlete—by not going to the gym
Unlike the typical Hollywood fitness transformation filled with personal trainers and intense gym time, Powell’s prep looked a lot like actual football practice.
“Also, all the football is legitimate,” Powell said. “I mean, I’m facing off. I’m squaring up with guys who played pro ball. I mean, these are real.”
That meant drills, scrimmages, endurance training, and reactive agility—every day. Without skipping a beat, Powell stayed in motion, learning plays and staying on his toes with real former professional players slamming into him on set.
At one point, he said he squared off with a 350-pound athlete towering over six feet. That kind of physicality required genuine grit, and Powell leaned into it by moving more, training smarter, and trusting the sport itself to sculpt him.
“You get to start learning how to be pretty fast, and you definitely burn some calories that way,” he said. “But it was all practical football; I wasn’t hitting the gym or anything.”
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
The constant motion, explosive footwork, and agility required for the role functioned as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the field—without ever stepping inside a weight room.
For Powell, the sacrifice was personal and purposeful
Powell made it clear that the job didn’t just demand a physical change—it required a mental shift too. Giving up alcohol wasn’t a small decision. For many, alcohol serves as a social lubricant or form of relaxation after long hours, especially in the entertainment industry.
By ditching it completely, Powell not only stayed sharp for action scenes but modeled the kind of discipline that reflects his character’s own grit and fight to get back in the game.
Some fans may be surprised to see that Powell’s preparation relied more on sacrifice and on-field performance than hours in the gym. But his approach highlights a valuable lesson: movement, fuel, and focus can be just as powerful as iron and dumbbells.
Final thoughts: Powell’s transformation mirrors his character’s comeback
In Chad Powers, Powell plays Russ Holliday, a once-promising quarterback whose mistake cost him everything. Years later, he returns in disguise to chase redemption. In many ways, Powell’s off-camera transformation mirrored that comeback arc—filled with hard choices, humility, and perseverance.
He gave up comfort, leaned into discomfort, and embraced the role’s physicality so completely that it became his gym, his sauna, and his stage.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
For anyone trying to get back on track with fitness or simply feel more in control of their health, Powell’s experience offers two powerful reminders: giving something up can be just as impactful as starting something new—and movement, in any form, matters.
