Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Three-Pronged Fitness Routine to Get Beach-Ready Is Simpler Than You’d Think

Patrick Schwarzenegger, breakout star of The White Lotus and son of bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, has made waves in season three of the hit HBO series. Whether for his jaw-dropping nude scene, the internet-breaking incest plot twist, or his frequent (and might we add substantial) protein shake consumption, people can't stop talking about him.

When it comes to Hollywood fitness routines, fans are always eager for a glimpse behind the scenes—and Schwarzenegger’s dedication is no exception, especially since his character is obsessed with getting jacked. We caught up with him as he teamed up with Brooks Running to find out how he prepped to play Saxon Ratliff.

"With [Saxon's] health and wellness, there were a lot of scenes about the blender, and there were a lot of scenes about his protein shakes and trying to get his brother to bulk up," Schwarzenegger said. "So I tried to work out as much as I could before we started filming and during filming as well. It's definitely something that was very much part of the character and who he was."

Related: Fans Post Perfect Chelsea 'White Lotus' Memes After Shocking Incest Episode

Just last year, Schwarzenegger bulked up to play former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow in American Sports Story. But lately, he's traded in his football pads for a lean physique with a pretty noticeable six-pack under his regularly worn Hawaiian shirts. 

"Doing Tim Tebow this last year, they wanted me to gain a lot of weight, and they had me on some meal plan where I was eating anything and everything to try to get heavier and bigger," he said. "Whereas with Mike White it was a lot of vacation, a lot of shirt off, it's a lot of talking about his protein, so I wanted to look a little bit leaner and more athletically fit."

Related: Patrick Schwarzenegger And Supermodel Fiancée Turn Heads In SKIMS Photos

For this season of White Lotus, Schwarzenegger ditched the heavy weights and cheat meals to get beach-ready. But his recipe for getting in shape might surprise you. It's not filled with Hollywood's latest fitness crazes (at least not that he alluded to). Instead, it's as simple as running, walking, and weight lifting. 

"Those are kind of the the holy trinity for me," he said. "I, of course, love to go out and do other forms of exercise—biking, hiking, tennis, basketball—but those are the three that I incorporate the most into like a daily/weekly kind of routine."

His love for running is how his partnership with Brooks came about, he said, before quickly lifting up his leg to show off his Glycerin Max Brooks running shoes.

Related: How to Do an Arnold Press, the Ultimate Shoulder Builder

"They're so comfortable; they're great for walking and running," he said. "When I'm doing something else like weight lifting—if I'm doing legs—I usually go in just socks. It just changes based on what I'm specifically doing during that time."

With all the travel the cast did this season—some crew members spending over six months in Thailand—staying on top of their health was paramount. But that didn’t mean they didn’t have fun along the way. A quick scroll through Schwarzenegger’s Instagram makes it clear that his idea of a good time is hunting down the best local food spots. And judging by the way his eyes lit up when he talked about it, he’s a true foodie at heart.

Related: 15 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2025 That Are Totally Worth Your Time

"We really got to move around and take Thailand in to the fullest extent," he said. "The fun was just going and trying the different restaurants. You would take this little boat up to a shack that you weren't even sure how it was standing, and it was a Michelin-starred restaurant with amazing local Thai food. You would eat the whole menu, and it would be like $15; it was insane. Those things were really bonding activities with the other castmates."