The Plan That Prepared Mackenzie Davis for Terminator
Transforming Mackenzie Davis into a super-soldier for Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) was a unique challenge, and not just because of the physical demands of the role. As someone who has worked with Hollywood stars like James McAvoy, Alexander Skarsgård, and Alicia Vikander, I’ve had plenty of experience helping actors achieve their best shape. But Mackenzie’s situation had a few twists that made this transformation especially interesting.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how we prepared Mackenzie for her role as Grace, a genetically enhanced warrior, in Terminator: Dark Fate. We’ll explore the remote training process, the nutrition strategy, and the exercises we used to build her incredible strength and endurance.
Mackenzie Davis and Her Role in Terminator: Dark Fate
Mackenzie Davis is known for her roles in films like Blade Runner 2049 and The Martian (2015), as well as the television series Halt and Catch Fire. But her role in Terminator: Dark Fate demanded a whole new level of physicality. Playing Grace, a soldier from the future, meant that Mackenzie needed to transform into a character who looked strong, moved quickly, and could handle intense combat scenes alongside Sarah Connor, played by the legendary Linda Hamilton.
Directed by Tim Miller and produced by James Cameron, Terminator: Dark Fate is the sixth installment in the Terminator movies. It reintroduced classic characters like Sarah Connor and introduced new faces like Natalia Reyes as Dani Ramos and Gabriel Luna as the new Terminator. The action-heavy scenes required Mackenzie to not only act the part but also physically embody Grace’s strength and stamina.
The Remote Training Process
Coordinating Across the Globe
One of the biggest challenges in preparing Mackenzie for Terminator: Dark Fate was that we were working from different parts of the world. Mackenzie was filming another project in Vancouver, British Columbia, while I was on the other side of the world, working on another movie. This kind of remote training is not uncommon in the industry, but it requires careful coordination to ensure the actor stays on track with both workouts and nutrition.
I designed Mackenzie’s training plan remotely, overseeing everything from her strength training to her nutrition. I stayed in constant contact with her, checking in daily to review her progress. I also worked closely with on-site chefs and trainers to ensure that everything was executed perfectly, even though I couldn’t be there in person.
Working with On-Site Trainers and Chefs
Because I couldn’t be with Mackenzie in person, I relied on a team of trainers and chefs to help execute the plan. One of the top trainers, Justin Ryan, worked with Mackenzie during her time in Vancouver. He made sure she performed each workout safely and effectively. At the same time, her private chef, Yvonne, prepared meals according to the nutrition plan I had outlined.
Once Mackenzie finished filming in Vancouver and flew to Los Angeles, my trainer Josephine Holmberg took over the training duties. Josephine ensured that Mackenzie continued her progress, guiding her through workouts and keeping her on track nutritionally.
The Five-Day Workout Plan
Strength Training and High-Intensity Workouts
To prepare Mackenzie for her role as Grace, we followed a five-day workout split. This program was designed to build functional strength, enhance her endurance, and improve her overall agility—key traits needed for an action-heavy role in a science fiction film like Terminator.
Here’s how Mackenzie’s workout plan was structured:
- Day 1: Lower Body – Focus on building strength and endurance in the legs.
- Day 2: Chest and Back – Developing upper body strength for balance and power.
- Day 3: Arms and Shoulders – Building strength in the arms for fight scenes.
- Day 4: Lower Body Again – Another session to enhance leg strength.
- Day 5: Full Upper Body – Combining all upper body muscles for a well-rounded workout.
In addition to the strength training, we included high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and core work every day to build explosive power and keep Mackenzie’s stamina high. For an action movie like Terminator, where fight scenes can last for hours during filming, maintaining endurance was crucial.
The Key Exercises That Built Mackenzie’s Strength
Here are some of the key exercises we used in Mackenzie’s training:
- Deadmill Sprints: A killer endurance builder, these sprints involved turning off the treadmill’s motor and having Mackenzie push the belt herself, simulating the kind of explosive power needed for her fight scenes.
- Lat Pull-Downs: These built the strength needed for upper-body combat sequences, focusing on developing Mackenzie’s back and shoulders.
- Dumbbell Chest Press: This exercise helped strengthen Mackenzie’s chest and triceps, giving her the power for high-impact moves.
- Supersets: We frequently used supersets to maximize the efficiency of Mackenzie’s workouts. For example, pairing chest flies with reverse flies helped develop her chest and back simultaneously, improving strength while saving time.
Nutrition: Keeping Mackenzie Fueled for Success
Nutrition is just as important as training when it comes to transforming for a role like this. Mackenzie needed to gain lean muscle while staying agile, which meant her diet had to be dialed in to perfection.
I worked closely with her chef, Yvonne, ensuring that Mackenzie was getting the right balance of macronutrients—protein for muscle growth, healthy fats for sustained energy, and carbohydrates to fuel her workouts.
A typical day might look like this:
- Pre-Workout: Scrambled eggs and oats for sustained energy.
- Post-Workout: Grilled chicken with sweet potatoes to restore glycogen levels and support muscle recovery.
- Throughout the Day: Protein shakes, nuts, and fruits to keep her energy levels high and her muscles fed.
The Team Effort: Training in Vancouver and Los Angeles
Once Mackenzie wrapped filming in Vancouver, she moved to Los Angeles, where my trainer Josephine Holmberg continued her training. Josephine made sure that Mackenzie stayed on track, not only in the gym but also in making sure she was properly warmed up before filming and getting the right food at the right time.
It’s important to remember that no transformation like this happens in isolation. It truly takes a team to help an actor prepare for a role like Grace. From the trainers who worked with Mackenzie on a daily basis to the chefs who kept her fueled, every part of this process was essential to achieving the end result.
Are you Inspired?
When you see Mackenzie Davis as Grace in Terminator: Dark Fate, you’re not just seeing the result of months of hard work—you’re seeing a team effort. From the remote training coordination while she was in Vancouver to the daily support she received from my team in Los Angeles, this transformation was built on consistency, discipline, and a well-executed plan.
If you’re inspired by Mackenzie’s transformation and want to take your own fitness to the next level, you can start today. Download the Magnus Method App, where you’ll find the same workouts we used with Mackenzie, and begin your own transformation, no matter where you are or what your goals may be.