Camila Mendes thinks “there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing women with strong muscles”.
The 32-year-old actress is most well known for starring in TV show Riverdale, but also recently starred as Teela in the blockbuster superhero movie Masters of the Universe.
Taking on the role meant Camila had to embark on a strict exercise regime to in shape ahead of the shoot, and it reminded her once again how much she loves a muscular physique.
She said: “I feel like things are changing now, and I think women are starting to realise this, but for a long time, women were really scared of weightlifting, and scared of gaining muscle and looking manly.
“I honestly think there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing women who are toned, who have strong muscles.
“It’s such a beautiful image, and I wish that was a body type that people were celebrating more.”
Camila added that in between takes on the set of the film, she was always “pumping up” so that her muscles looked more “swollen” for the next take.
She told Hero magazine: “Once we got our goal physique, it was about maintaining it. Before every take we were always pumping up – there were always a set of weights in my tent.
“So we would go back and I would just keep doing bicep curls until they called me back [on set]. We’d have the little sweet treats that would help the blood, because you eat something sweet, to go on so that your muscles are more swollen. You’re not drinking water, because if you’re dehydrated then your muscles will pop more. There’s a whole thing!”
Now Camila has had to restructure her diet and exercise regime as her next role will see her play a heroin addict, so she has ditched the weight lifting in order to lose some weight and look less healthy.
She continued: “David Kingsbury, who was our trainer for Masters, was so helpful and informative and so on top of things. I felt very protected and supported – it’s so worth it.
“Now I don’t work out like that anymore at all and I’m about to go into this role playing a heroin addict, so I can’t look like someone who lifts weights and looks super healthy.
“I have to start looking thinner and I haven’t been lifting weights as much.”
