American actress Sydney Sweeney has detailed her intense physical transformation to portray boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic. In a recent interview with W Magazine, the 27-year-old actress revealed she gained 30 pounds to accurately represent the professional boxer’s muscular physique.
According to People, the transformation process began approximately three and a half months before filming, during which Sweeney committed to a rigorous daily training schedule. Her routine consisted of morning weight training for an hour, followed by two hours of kickboxing at midday, and concluded with another hour of weight training in the evening.
The physical changes were dramatic for Sweeney, and the process deeply affected her emotionally too, Sweeney describes the role as “transformative”. “My body was completely different. I didn’t fit in any of my clothes. I’m usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27. My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, Oh my god,” she shared. Despite these changes, Sweeney found empowerment in her new physique, stating, “I was so strong, like crazy strong.”
Director praises Sweeney’s dedication to physical transformation
Director David Michod commended Sweeney’s commitment to the role, noting that she “trained her butt off to play the part.” He observed that Sweeney appeared most content while in the ring, both delivering and receiving punches. Michod was particularly impressed by Sweeney’s ability to return to her original physique within seven weeks after filming concluded.
The actress’s background in sports and outdoor activities proved beneficial in preparing for the physically demanding role. Sweeney credited her mother for encouraging her to pursue various interests beyond acting, which led to her developing skills in activities such as skiing, wakeboarding, and kickboxing.
Throughout the training process, Sweeney embraced everything, the physical bruises, rigorous workouts, and even used them to clap back at body‑shamers. It shows she’s not just strong physically, but mentally too. “I would have bruises all over me. I loved it! My mom always wanted to make sure that acting wasn’t the only thing in my life,” she explained.
The upcoming biopic represents a significant departure from Sweeney’s previous roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress and her dedication to authentic character portrayal. Her physical transformation and commitment to the training process demonstrate the extensive preparation often required for biographical roles, particularly those depicting professional athletes.
