Inside Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson’s body transformation from 16st 4lbs basketball ace to 28st monster
GAME OF THRONES star Hafthor Bjornsson underwent an incredible body transformation on his journey to becoming the World's Strongest Man.
The Icelandic, who is also known as Thor, was crowned World's Strongest Man in 2018 - just four years after quitting his basketball career.
He bulked up to an astonishing 28st to win that title and did so thanks to several big lifestyle changes.
Bjornsson, 35, was once a slender youngster with dreams of becoming a professional basketball player that were cut short because of injuries.
After quitting the sport in 2014 Bjornsson decided to spend more time in the gym as he always enjoyed lifting heavy weights.
He saw immediate results so upped his workouts to six times a week, admitting he got "hooked" on seeing his body change.
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His training sessions would last anywhere between one to three hours and, combined with a strict diet, Bjornsson was able to bulk up quickly.
The part-time actor, who played Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane in Game of Thrones, ate up to 10,000 calories a day to reach his peak of 28st.
That included several rib eye steaks every day, along with rice, spinach and avocado - and that was just for breakfast.
He also fit in 400g of chicken, 500g sweet potatoes, six eggs, and 500g of salmon, before returning to the steaks in the evening.
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Chuck in a load of fruits, nuts and peanut butter and it is no wonder Thor was able to add 12st stone in a few years.
Thor revealed he reduced his cardio workouts, particularly running, when he first made the adjustment to becoming a Strongman.
During the week he would focus on a full-body workout which included squats, chin-ups, bent-over rows, power cleans and military presses.
Throughout the week his routine would get more and more difficult, with deadlifts and brench presses incorporated into his routine.
At the weekend Thor began focusing on Strongman specific workouts including keg tosses and tire lifting.
As well as winning World's Strongest Man, Thor set a record for the biggest deadlift ever at 501kg in 2020 - beating rival Eddie Hall who had set the record four years earlier.
Bjornsson and Hall fought in a one-off boxing bout last year with Thor again coming out on top, beating his rival via unanimous decision.