NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – When a movie star is on location shooting a movie, they aren’t near their usual gym. That doesn’t mean they can skip working out. In fact, in many cases their producers want them to bulk up for a role.
In actor Hugh Jackman’s case, he needed a gym to buff up for his role in the third installment of the popular “Wolverine” series, and he found one in the Central Business District on Julia Street at Prime Fitness RX.
News with a Twist Reporter Kenny Lopez went to Prime Fitness RX, where Hugh Jackman worked out. Apparently his producers scoped out possible gyms for Jackman before he arrived in NOLA.
For the past three months, Jackman pumped up in New Orleans. He needed his bod looking buff and brawny!
Husband and wife duo Mark and Sacha Owens are the owners of Prime Fitness RX, and they’re responsible for helping Hugh with his workout and nutrition regime while in New Orleans. Mark helped train Hugh until his trainer could make it out here. Sacha handled the nutrition aspect.
“Hugh Jackman was standing outside the door of our gym, and he called me while I was at home recovering from a surgery. He said, ‘G’Day mate, this is Hugh Jackman, and I’d like to workout at your gym.’ Immediately I started searching in my mind what friends were playing a joke on me. When I realized it wasn’t a joke, that’s when my wife rushed to the gym to open the door for Hugh,” Mark Owens said.
“I did all the numbers for his fats, proteins and carbs. The first meal plan that I did, I spent 5 hours on it. Very intricate, getting the food perfect for his height and weight,” Sacha Owens said.
She said always ate oatmeal in the morning.
“His workouts were so intense, so he needed the oatmeal to keep his energy up,” she said.
Sacha came up with the meal plan, and then she sent it over to Barbara at Clean Creations.
“Barbara did a wonderful job of preparing and delivering the meals to Hugh,” she said.
Hugh left his mark on this gym.
“He had a great energy. Just a great guy. Anytime he walked in the door, the whole place just lit up. We’re going to miss him,” she said.
Now this the movie filming is complete and he’s left New Orleans, we’re guessing he knows what it means to miss New Orleans, and if his social media is any indication, its obvious he misses Prime Fitness RX.
“While he was in New Orleans, we promised not to divulge his location. He told us he’d show us love once he left down and he sure did. He tweeted about us on Twitter and put a picture working out at our gym on Instagram. These posts were sent to his millions of followers, so we are very grateful to Mr. Jackman for that recognition,” he said.
Take a look at Hugh Jackman’s progress after his three-month membership!
Prime Fitness RX is located at 607 Julia St.
For more information on Prime Fitness RX and what they offer, click HERE.
The owners also told us that Hugh even had something else that was part of his routine when he’d enter the gym. He’d always run around and play with their Gym dog, Charlie. Apparently, Charlie looks a lot like Hugh’s dog, Dali.