Even Hugh Jackman gets nervous for a 5k piece
Wolverine’s latest sporting achievement sheds light on the benefits of indoor rowing as a training and rehabilitation tool – will he enter BRIC?
Hugh Jackman, the Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winning actor is back on the rowing machine, vanquishing the New Year blues with a 5000m effort.
The Australian actor, know for his portrayal of of Jean Valjean in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, recently posted the results of his piece on his Instagram page, completing the gruelling distance in 18:31.5. His efforts come shortly after Novak Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open.
“[I] Was nervous to take this test,” said Jackman on Instagram.
“I got on the rower just as @djokernole won his match at the @australianopen. What an inspiration! The first photo is after I was done. The stats are in between. @bethlewisfit thank you. #StillGotIt.”
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Jackman very much still has it. Rowing has been a big part of his preparations for his box-office hits. It’s been well documented over recent years that he’s a keen rower and has been reaping the benefits of working out on the machine.
2017 was the first time in five years that he cracked the elusive seven-minute barrier over 2000m he was keen to share the health benefits of the sport.
“When you don’t have time throw this one in. Strips fat. Uses every single muscle,” added Hugh alongside his 2017 effort.
Indoor rowing is a low-impact workout that exercises 85% of your body’s muscles. It’s frequently used as a cross training and rehabilitation tool, by celebrities and professional sportspeople alike.
Hugh Jackman isn’t the only person racing 5000m at this time of year. Across the country, hundreds of rowers will be completing their 5000m tests as part of internal testing or part of of the GB Rowing Team Trials process.
As part of one of the most-visited articles on British Rowing Plus, Dr Mark Homer provides a breakdown of how we meet the demands of a 5000m (5k) head race – and the training, preparation and tactics required to improve its execution.
“A 5k race is not simply a 2k race with an extra 3k in the middle,” explained Mark.
“Adding 150% of the distance significantly changes the physiological delivery of a maximal performance. Our ability to produce the highest average power for 15-25 minutes (depending on who you are and what boat you are in!) needs slightly different physiological underpinnings to those of a 2k.
“2k racing requires rowers to maximise their aerobic contribution and supplement it with non-aerobic energy supplies throughout, but particularly at the start and finish. This is possible due to the relatively short distance/time. There are essentially three domains or ‘zones’ of exercise intensity: moderate, heavy, and severe. Working within each one elicits very different physiological responses.”
Read the full piece2026 is set to be a busy year for Hugh Jackman. The Hollywood star will be looking forward to the releases of The Death of Robin Hood which follows Song Sung Blue. Perhaps alongside his film work there will be time to enter and prepare for this year’s British Rowing Indoor Championships?
BRIC is no stranger to celebrity appearances. In 2019, Tom Cruise had time for pictures and chat outside the Lee Valley Velodrome with competitors while 2017 saw Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins race in the arena.
Entries for the 2026 British Rowing Indoor Championships are open. This year’s event is set to once again welcome thousands of competitors from across the world to Birmingham for two days of action-packed racing.
The British Rowing Indoor Championships will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 5-6 December, 2026.
