How Aaron Taylor-Johnson Trained for His James Bond & Kraven Physique

📥 Scroll down to download the free Aaron Taylor-Johnson workout plan. ⬇️

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the frontrunner to become the next James Bond — and he’s starring as Kraven the Hunter in his own Marvel movie. To look the part of a ripped action star, Aaron worked with celebrity trainer Matt Hodges, who put him through an intense, highly structured 16-week transformation program. Here’s what that training looked like and how you can follow a similar approach.

The MPH Method Behind His Training

Matt Hodges uses a system called the MPH Method with his celebrity clients. It starts with a full assessment of your body — mobility, strength imbalances, and movement patterns — followed by blood work to check hormones and nutrient deficiencies. Then he builds a personalized nutrition and training plan.

For Aaron, this meant:

• Fixing any weak links or mobility issues before heavy training.

• Building a diet and supplement plan tailored to his exact needs.

• Structuring workouts to maximize muscle growth and functional strength.

Building Foundational Strength First

Before jumping into advanced lifting, Matt makes sure his clients can safely perform the big movement patterns: squat, hinge, push, pull, and core stability. This prevents injury and lets them handle heavier loads later.

Once Aaron’s foundation was solid, he moved into a 16-week progressive strength and hypertrophy program — the same approach Matt uses for actors who need to look lean and powerful on screen.

The 4-Day Full-Body Split

Aaron’s program was built around four workouts per week:

• 2 Strength-Focused Days
  Low reps (1–6), heavy weights, and big compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, presses, and rows to build raw strength.

• 2 Hypertrophy-Focused Days
  Moderate reps (6–12+), slower tempo, and more time under tension to maximize muscle growth.

Each session started with a big barbell lift, then moved to accessory work like farmer carries, kettlebell swings, pull-ups, and core training. Matt also used techniques like pause reps and slow eccentrics to increase difficulty without always adding more weight.

Progressive Overload — The Key to Growth

To keep Aaron progressing, Matt gradually increased the challenge each week. Sometimes that meant adding weight to the bar, but it could also mean slowing down the lowering phase, adding pauses, or increasing total volume.

This smart, consistent progression is why 16 weeks was enough to noticeably improve Aaron’s physique — though, like Matt says, real muscle takes time. Big changes come from months and years of steady training.

Your Free Aaron Taylor-Johnson Plan

I’ve created a free 4-day full-body program inspired by the exact style of training Aaron used to prepare for Kraven the Hunter and his potential James Bond debut. It’s designed to build muscle, strength, and an action-hero physique efficiently.

📥 Download the full plan below.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified expert before starting any new training or nutrition program. Results will vary by individual.