Here’s How Alicia Vikander Gained 12 Pounds of Toned Muscle For Tomb Raider

Swedish actress Alicia Vikander may be known for her petite frame and delicate, feminine features, but after putting in some serious work into her upcoming role for her next film Tomb Raider, Vikander’s newly toned physique is not to be missed. Working out alongside trainer Magnus Lygdback to help prepare her for the infamous role of Lara Croft—the part famously originated by Angelina Jolie in 2001, of course—the Oscar-winning actress gained an impressive 12 pounds of muscle while filming.

Breaking down her rigorous workout routine to Entertainment Tonight, Vikander shared that,”On this job, it was the first time I was expected to do as much muscle and weight training as I’ve done. I’ve really felt it very empowering, and I still feel like I have a physique. I already wanted her to be a strong, physical girl”, she added, further revealing,”This film is about her becoming the action hero we know her to be.” The classically trained ballet dancer and currently very happy wife of Michael Fassbender continued to share with Vogue that she achieved her chiseled figure through “weight training, MMA fighting, climbing, archery, and swimming”.

And while Vikander’s three month long training period was “no walk in the park”, according to Lygdback, it’s not impossible to achieve either. “People think they need to spend hours in the gym. With my method, that’s not what we’re doing,” he explains. “Never more than one hour a day and not even seven days a week… you might do a little cardio in the morning and working out in the afternoon while cutting, but that’s it.” Lygdback also added that when it comes to training, it not about the numbers, “It’s all about how you feel and how you look. It’s about building the character.”

Tomb Raider opens up in theaters starting on March 16th.