Jean-Claude Van Damme's physique in 'Hard Target' is iconic. In a recent interview clip, the action star revealed the simple diet behind it. His methods included steamed rice, vegetables, and a surprising weekly indulgence.

So, what contributed to his iconic physique in Hard Target?

Retro Hollywood Rewind posted a clip on its Instagram on January 30, featuring Van Damme, captioning: “Jean-Claude Van Damme explains the simple diet and intense training that kept him lean during Hard Target. From a 1993 interview.”

In the clip, when asked about his diet to get that look, the actor said, “Well, it's because I train so hard, like three hours a day. I just eat like normal, fish, steamed rice, vegetables. I eat bread in the morning. I don't know if it's normal, but it's normal to me.”

When the interviewers asked whether he ate hamburgers and fries, the martial artist-turned-actor admitted, “Sometimes, once a week, I need some red meat. It's good for your body”.

However, he did not get the physique for “Hard Target” by any movie-specific training; it was built with years of ongoing martial arts training, high-volume conditioning, and flexible work.

On February 26, 2025, Best Action Movies posted another old clip of JCVD on YouTube, revealing his training method.

He said, “When I was a kid, I was not a very strong child. I was very skinny, and I was not too good-looking. And I changed myself because I trained every day in the gym. So I was having heroes. And because of those heroes (Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Kirk Douglas), I became somebody strong and nice”.

Currently, at 65, he maintains a jacked physique. Wonder how?

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s jacked physique at 65

Though he appears less on the big screen, JCVD regularly shares updates on his training methods and physique on social media.

He now focuses more on longevity. According to Men's Health, JCVD now tries to follow a balanced training.

In an interview with Coach, he said, “I try to take an intelligent approach, learning from previous experiences to make sure I don’t hurt my back or my legs, for example”.

In an interview with PA News Agency in 2023, the actor said, “When you train, and you are getting older, it’s good to stay very flexible, that’s the most important thing.

Being flexible, being able to take a shower, go down there, wash everything, to balance and to do cardio at least two or three times a week”.

He also admitted to doing exercises with very light weights using proper form and technique. JCVD also trains to failure with lightweight equipment and avoids putting excessive pressure on his joints.

Another important thing in his training is breathing. The martial artist also admitted that he has developed a new isometric style informed by yoga and has been practicing it for the past 25 years.

Follow Bodybuilding Bros for more.

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil