The Marvel superstar who swings through New York as Spider-Man recently took a decidedly chillier approach to fitness, diving into the latest wellness craze during an appearance on Men’s Health Icebreakers.
Tom Holland braved the icy waters while discussing his thoughts on popular fitness trends, from weighted vest training to recovery methods.
“Oh my word, I am absolutely frozen to the bone,” Holland exclaimed as he settled into the cold plunge, demonstrating the kind of commitment that’s made him one of Hollywood’s most physically demanding action stars. Despite the obvious discomfort, the actor participated in a rapid-fire discussion of fitness fads while his body adjusted to the shocking temperature.
Holland’s approach to fitness reveals a refreshingly practical mindset. When asked about the trendy 10,000 steps challenge, he responded with characteristic enthusiasm: “I play a lot of golf, so I’ll probably smash that, I reckon.”
The actor’s training philosophy centers heavily on bodyweight exercises, though with his own innovative twist. “I love bodyweight training. I’m actually using a weighted vest a lot at the minute,” Holland shared. “So when I’m doing my Cindy stuff, I’m always weighted up. Because that makes it just that extra bit tougher, you know.”
When the topic came up again during the interview, he reiterated his commitment: “Always training in a weighted vest. It’s the only way to do it.”
Even exercises he admittedly dislikes make it into his regular rotation. When asked about burpees, Holland confessed, “I hate burpees, but I do them. They’re important.” He incorporates the challenging full-body movement into his workouts approximately once a week.
Holland’s dedication to leg training also came through clearly during the conversation. When discussing squats, he emphasized their importance: “You can’t grow if you don’t do your legs.” His preference leans toward back squats over front squats, and he approaches leg day with the reverence of someone who understands its critical role in overall fitness development.
The timing of Holland’s cold plunge endorsement comes as new research raises questions about the practice’s effectiveness for weight management. Biochemist Dr. Layne Norton recently highlighted studies showing that while cold water immersion burns additional calories during the session, it can trigger significant increases in appetite afterward.
“They did burn more calories in the cold plunge group! But unless you call ~20 calorie difference in 30 minutes removing calories the fastest on the face of the earth, I’d say that’s pretty underwhelming,” Norton explained in a social media post.
“Moreover, these individuals in the cold plunge group ate ~230 calories MORE in their post plunge meal compared to the group that was in warm water or the control group!”
This creates what Norton describes as a “200 calorie swing for energy balance towards a calorie surplus” – potentially leading to weight gain rather than the fat loss many people expect from cold exposure therapy.
Holland seemed to appreciate the cold plunge experience, though he noted his preference for cold baths over cold showers. His approach to recovery extends beyond trendy therapies to more fundamental practices. When asked about recovery methods beyond ice baths and saunas, Holland offered refreshingly simple advice: “A good night’s sleep, man. Nothing beats a good night’s sleep.”
This emphasis on sleep as a recovery tool aligns with current sports science understanding about the critical role rest plays in athletic performance and recovery.
The actor’s relationship with social media and fitness culture also came through during the interview. When asked about gym selfies, Holland was definitive: “I’m not a gym selfie guy. No, you’ll never catch me posting a gym selfie. Maybe back in the day when I was a kid, but not anymore.”
As the interview concluded with the traditional full head dunk, Holland’s commitment to the experience was evident, though he admitted reaching his limits: “I mean, I’m enjoying this ice bath now, but I am getting to the point where I would like this to be well and truly okay.”
Holland’s approach to fitness trends appears refreshingly balanced – enthusiastic about methods that deliver real results while maintaining skepticism about practices that prioritize appearance over substance.
