Taylor
Good evening Project, I am Taylor, and this is Goose Pod, your personalized deep dive into the stories that matter most. Today is Thursday, February 05th, at eleven PM, and we are looking at a truly elite performance from a man who seems to defy time itself.
Holly
I am Holly, and I am just delighted to be here with you tonight. We are going to explore how Hugh Jackman, at fifty-seven years old, just set a rowing benchmark that has the fitness world talking. It is such a wonderful testament to human potential.
Taylor
It really is a narrative of peak performance. Hugh Jackman recently took to Instagram to share his results from a five thousand meter row, and the numbers are staggering. He clocked in at eighteen minutes and thirty-one point five seconds. At fifty-seven, that is a masterclass in conditioning.
Holly
How absolutely impressive! I can only imagine the sheer willpower required to maintain that pace. He mentioned he was actually quite nervous before the test, which I find so endearing. Even a superhero like Wolverine feels that flutter of anxiety before a big physical challenge. It makes him so relatable.
Taylor
That nervousness is actually a strategic indicator. The five-K row is widely considered a serious aerobic challenge because it sits in that uncomfortable middle ground. It is too long to rely on pure power, but it is way too intense to just cruise through at a comfortable pace.
Holly
When you look at the data, his time puts him comfortably within the top two percent of men in his age bracket. Most men take between fifteen and twenty-five minutes, but sitting at eighteen-thirty-one places him in the elite category. It is a marvelous achievement for someone his age.
Taylor
And the most fascinating part is his VO2 max. His trainer, Beth Lewis, shared that while filming Deadpool 3, his reading was fifty-nine. But his latest reading has jumped to sixty-four point three. That is a massive leap in aerobic capacity, especially when most people see a natural decline.
Holly
It is simply beautiful to see that kind of progress. A VO2 max of sixty-four point three is quite high even for younger athletes. It shows that with consistency and focused effort, we can actually improve our internal health markers as we grow older. It is such a hopeful message.
Taylor
He is effectively rewriting the script on aging. The average five thousand meter time for men across all ages is nineteen minutes and eighteen seconds. Hugh beat the general average by nearly forty-seven seconds, despite being in a demographic where you would expect him to be slower.
Holly
The fastest time ever recorded for this distance is fourteen minutes and fifty-four seconds, so he is not that far off from the world-class benchmarks. It really highlights how indoor rowing has become a foundation of his conditioning. He uses it to stay healthy and strong for those demanding roles.
Taylor
It is a clever choice of exercise. Rowing uses eighty-five percent of the body's muscles. By focusing on consistent splits and even pacing, as Hugh did, you are building a level of metabolic health that translates to almost every other aspect of physical performance. He is a strategist.
Holly
I love how he credited his trainer and even drew inspiration from Novak Djokovic's win. It shows that even at the top of his game, he is looking at other elite performers to fuel his own drive. It is a lovely cycle of inspiration and hard work.
Taylor
The stats don't lie, and they tell a story of someone who refuses to settle. To go from fifty-nine to over sixty-four in VO2 max requires a level of intensity that most people shy away from. He is proving that serious aerobic performance does not have to disappear with age.
Holly
It really is a peek into what is possible for all of us. While we might not all hit elite times, seeing Hugh push himself reminds us that our bodies are capable of so much more than we often give them credit for. It is truly inspiring, isn't it?
Taylor
Absolutely. He even shared the post-workout photo, looking exhausted but satisfied. That visual of the raw effort is the perfect capstone to the data. It shows the grit behind the glamour. This isn't just movie magic; this is real, quantifiable, high-level athletic performance in his late fifties.
Holly
I find it so refreshing to see a celebrity share their actual data like that. It provides a real benchmark for others to look at and say, well, if he can do it, maybe I can improve my own time by just a few seconds. It is a wonderful gift.
Holly
That is such a powerful choice. And it pays off in such a visible way. When he shares those results, it is a victory not just for him, but for the idea that we can maintain our vitality. It is a wonderful, wide-eyed look at the future of aging.
Taylor
To really understand this, we have to look at the history of Hugh's relationship with the rowing machine. This isn't a new fad for him. He has been a keen rower for years, often using it as a primary tool to strip fat and build functional strength for Wolverine.
Holly
I remember hearing that he cracked the elusive seven-minute barrier for a two thousand meter row back in 2017. That was the first time he had done it in five years. It seems he has a long-standing love affair with the challenge of the rowing machine. How lovely!
Taylor
The two-K row is often called the gold standard of fitness, but the five-K is a different beast entirely. It requires a deeper level of aerobic conditioning. His trainer, Beth Lewis, has been instrumental in this, moving him from just being jacked to being truly, functionally elite.
Holly
It is fascinating how rowing engages so many muscles. Eighty-five percent! That is almost everything, isn't it? It is such a graceful way to exercise, even though it looks incredibly difficult. It explains why he stays so lean and powerful without necessarily putting too much stress on his joints.
Taylor
Exactly. It is low-impact, which is a strategic move for a fifty-seven-year-old actor who needs to avoid injury. But high-impact on the cardiovascular system. This connects perfectly to the concept of muscle banking we have discussed before. He is investing in his future physical resilience through consistent exercise.
Holly
Muscle banking is such a sophisticated way to look at it. By building that strength and endurance now, he is essentially protecting himself against the natural decline that comes with aging. It is like a savings account for your health, which is a wonderful perspective to have.
Taylor
And the science supports this. Studies show that pre-existing fitness significantly reduces mortality risk. Hugh is doing more than just looking good for a movie; he is literally altering his biological trajectory. That VO2 max increase is a sign of a very healthy heart and lung system.
Holly
I read that even minimal activity can be an investment, but what Hugh is doing is more like a high-interest portfolio! He is putting in the work at four AM, which is just so disciplined. It shows a level of commitment that goes far beyond simple vanity.
Taylor
The four AM workouts are legendary. He has maintained this consistency from his thirties straight into his fifties. That is the real secret. It is not about one lucky session; it is about decades of showing up, even when you are nervous or tired. That is true mastery.
Holly
It reminds me of those wonderful wellness insights from 2025, where we learned how small things like beetroot juice or hot baths can help. But at the core of it all is still that fundamental movement. Hugh seems to have mastered the balance between high-intensity work and recovery.
Taylor
He also uses the eighty-five percent rule, which is a brilliant strategy. It is about focusing on form and optimization rather than just pure, soul-crushing exertion every single time. By staying at eighty-five percent of his max, he can train more consistently without burning out. It is clever.
Holly
That sounds so much more sustainable. I think many people feel they have to give one hundred percent every time or it doesn't count, but that can be so discouraging. Learning to work with poise and grace at eighty-five percent seems like a much more elegant approach.
Taylor
It is about being a strategist with your energy. If you always redline, you break. If you stay just below that threshold, you build. Hugh's five-K time is the result of that sustained, sub-maximal training that eventually pushes your maximal ceiling higher and higher. It is a long game.
Holly
It is also so interesting how he balances his nutrition. I have heard stories about him eating thousands of calories to bulk up for Wolverine, but then he also uses intermittent fasting. It is like he is a scientist experimenting with his own biology to find the perfect formula.
Taylor
The sixteen-eight fasting method is a big part of his narrative. It helps manage insulin sensitivity and inflammation, which is crucial when you are training as hard as he does. He is balancing the high caloric intake needed for muscle with the metabolic breaks needed for longevity.
Holly
How absolutely fascinating! To think that all these pieces—the rowing, the fasting, the early mornings—all come together to create this elite performance at fifty-seven. It really shows that age is just a number if you have the right strategy and the heart to follow through.
Taylor
And he is not doing it alone. Having a trainer like Beth Lewis provides that external perspective and accountability. She is the one tracking the VO2 max and the split times, making sure the narrative stays on track. It is a partnership in excellence.
Holly
It is lovely to have someone in your corner like that. It makes the journey less lonely and more about achieving something together. I think we can all learn from that, whether we are rowing five thousand meters or just trying to be a bit more active.
Taylor
Rowing is also uniquely meditative. Once you get into the rhythm, it is just you and the machine. It requires a high level of mental focus to keep those splits consistent over eighteen minutes. You can't let your mind wander, or your pace will inevitably drop.
Holly
There is a certain simple beauty in that, isn't there? Just the sound of the fan and the feeling of the slide. It is a very sophisticated form of torture, perhaps, but also a wonderful way to find clarity. Hugh certainly seems to have found his rhythm.
Taylor
He has. And by sharing it, he is inviting us into that process. He is showing that even the elite have to put in the work. It is a transparent look at what it takes to be Wolverine, or rather, what it takes to be a healthy, high-performing human being.
Holly
I wonder, though, if there is a bit of a struggle for the average person when they see these numbers. It is so impressive, but could it also be a bit daunting? To see a fifty-seven-year-old man performing at an elite level might make some feel they are falling behind.
Taylor
That is a valid tension. There is always a conflict between inspiration and comparison. If we use Hugh as a yardstick, we might feel inadequate. But the strategic view is to use him as a lighthouse—showing what is possible, not necessarily what is required for everyone.
Holly
That is a lovely way to put it. A lighthouse, not a yardstick. But still, the five-K row itself is such a conflict. It is that uncomfortable middle ground we mentioned. Your lungs are screaming for air, but your muscles still need to find power. It is a battle.
Taylor
It is a physiological tug-of-war. Your body wants to slow down to conserve oxygen, but the goal requires you to push through that discomfort. This is where the mental game comes in. Hugh mentioned being nervous, which shows he knows exactly how much it is going to hurt.
Holly
There is also the conflict between his roles and his long-term health. To get jacked for a film often requires extreme measures that might not always be the best for longevity. It is a delicate balance to play a superhero while remaining a healthy mortal man.
Taylor
Exactly. The eight thousand calories a day he reportedly consumes for bulking is a massive stress on the digestive system. There is a real tension there between the aesthetic demands of Hollywood and the biological demands of his body. He has to be very careful with his strategy.
Holly
It is quite a dilemma, isn't it? wanting to look a certain way for the world, but also wanting to feel good on the inside. I suppose that is why the rowing is so important—it ensures that his heart is as strong as his bicep looks. It is a graceful solution.
Taylor
Rowing bridges that gap. It provides the "mirror muscles" while also building the "engine." But even in the fitness community, there is debate. Is it better to focus on these high-intensity bursts or to stay in a lower, more sustainable zone? Hugh seems to be doing both.
Holly
It is a bit like a dance, moving between the two. The conflict arises when we try to do too much at once. Hugh's success seems to come from his ability to periodize—focusing on one goal for a role and then returning to a more balanced baseline.
Taylor
And there is the age factor. Society often tells us that after fifty, we should start slowing down and taking it easy. Hugh is in direct conflict with that narrative. He is saying, no, I can actually be faster and stronger now than I was ten years ago.
Holly
I find that so incredibly empowering. It challenges the idea that aging is just a slow fade. But it does require a lot of discipline, doesn't it? The conflict for many is finding the time and the energy to commit to such a rigorous routine amidst a busy life.
Taylor
Time is the ultimate scarce resource. Hugh has the advantage of trainers and a career that demands fitness, but the principle remains. The conflict is between our immediate desire for comfort and our long-term goal of health. He chooses the long-term goal every morning at four AM.
Taylor
There is also a technical conflict in rowing. If your technique is off, you can hurt your back or your knees. It is not just about pulling hard; it is about pulling correctly. The tension between power and form is something every rower has to manage constantly.
Holly
It requires such poise and concentration. You can't just flail about; you have to be precise. It is a very sophisticated way to challenge yourself. I imagine that focus helps him in his acting as well—that ability to stay present and controlled under pressure.
Taylor
It definitely translates. The discipline of the rowing machine creates a mental toughness that you can apply to anything. The conflict is the forge. You go into that eighteen-minute row one person, and you come out another—usually one who is much more aware of their own limits.
Holly
The impact of this is just so lovely to consider. Beyond just the fitness world, it sends a message to everyone that it is never too late to start or to improve. It changes how we view our own potential as we get older. Don't you think?
Taylor
It has a massive cultural impact. When a high-profile figure like Hugh Jackman shows that elite performance is possible at fifty-seven, it shifts the collective expectation. It encourages older adults to engage in more vigorous activity, which has incredible health benefits.
Holly
It reminds me of that wonderful study about high-intensity exercise and its anti-cancer effects. Just ten minutes of intense activity can release molecules that help repair DNA. Hugh's eighteen-minute row is like a powerful medicine for his entire body. How absolutely vital!
Taylor
That is a profound connection. Exercise is becoming recognized as a vital, life-saving tool. By pushing himself into that elite zone, Hugh is likely triggering those DNA-repairing molecules. This isn't just about fitness; it is about active defense against disease. It is a strategic health play.
Holly
It really reframes exercise from being a chore to being a way to reclaim agency over our own well-being. It is so empowering to think that we have that kind of control. Hugh is a wonderful ambassador for this proactive approach to health. It is simply marvelous.
Taylor
The societal impact is also significant. As the population ages, we need more examples of "elite aging." If more people followed this path of physical resilience, the burden on healthcare systems could be drastically reduced. Muscle banking is a public health strategy.
Holly
It is a very sophisticated way to look at the future. If we all invested in our "health savings accounts" like Hugh does, we would be so much more resilient as a society. It is a beautiful vision of a more active and vibrant older generation.
Taylor
And it inspires the younger generation too. They see that they don't have to fear getting older. They see that their thirties, forties, and fifties can be decades of growth and strength, not just decline. It changes the whole narrative of the human lifespan.
Holly
It really does. It makes the future look so much brighter and full of possibilities. I love that he shares his journey so openly. It creates a community of people who are all cheering each other on to be their best selves, no matter their age.
Taylor
There is also the impact on the fitness industry. We are seeing a surge in interest in rowing machines and VO2 max testing. People want to know their numbers. They want to see how they compare, not out of vanity, but out of a desire for quantifiable health.
Holly
It is wonderful to see people taking such a keen interest in their own biology. It is like we are all becoming little scientists, exploring what our bodies can do. And Hugh is leading the way with such grace and charm. It is a joy to watch.
Taylor
It is a shift toward data-driven wellness. We are moving away from vague goals like "getting in shape" to specific benchmarks like "improving my five-K row time by ten seconds." That specificity is what leads to real, lasting progress. Hugh is the ultimate case study.
Holly
Looking ahead, I can't wait to see what he does next. He has maintained this consistency for so long, and with new roles like Blade of the Eternal coming up in 2026, he shows no signs of slowing down. It is so exciting to think about!
Taylor
His future is a testament to the power of consistency. He has carried his training habits from his thirties straight into his fifties. The trend we are seeing is the "professionalization" of aging—where individuals use every available tool, from data to nutrition, to maintain peak performance.
Holly
I think we will see more and more people following his lead, using things like collagen or even beetroot juice to get that extra edge. It is a wonderful world of wellness insights that are becoming more accessible to everyone. The future of health looks so promising.
Taylor
We are entering an era where "old" is being redefined. In the future, being fifty-seven and hitting elite rowing times might not be the exception, but the goal for many. We are learning how to maintain our biological youth for much longer than we ever thought possible.
Holly
How absolutely lovely! To think that we can keep our wide-eyed wonder and our physical strength as we age. It is a future I am very much looking forward to. Hugh is showing us the way with every stroke of that rowing machine.
Taylor
The key will be staying curious and staying consistent. Whether it is finding a new exercise like rowing or just walking more, the future of our health is in our hands. Hugh's story is a reminder that we are the authors of our own physical narrative.
Holly
It is such a hopeful and inspiring note to end on. I am certainly going to think about my own "muscle bank" tomorrow morning. It is a wonderful investment to make. I am so glad we could share this story today. It has been a delight.
Taylor
It really has. Hugh Jackman is proving that we can all be the strategists of our own lives. That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod, Project. It is always a pleasure to dive into these stories with you.
Holly
Thank you so much for joining us. It has been a truly wonderful evening exploring the potential of the human spirit and body. We hope you feel as inspired as we do. See you tomorrow for another episode of Goose Pod. Goodnight!
Men's Health
