Sam Heughan is a man of the world, even if his roots are firmly planted in his birth country of Scotland. Starting in his teens, the actor was touring all over the UK, and later the globe, with theater productions. The experience set a passion for traveling to new places and trying new things. Starting his career in London before moving to LA, that life-changing leading role came in the form of Jamie Fraser in the fantastical time-hopping series Outlander, which brought him back home.
“I love filming Outlander in Scotland and it’s great for doubling other places because the landscapes are so diverse,” says Heughan. The hit Starz series is going into its sixth season, prepping a seventh, and has been in production for a decade. Doing the same show for that amount of time is a rare blessing in the industry, but only gives Heughan a few months off a year to go adventuring. “The schedule is tricky,” he says, “and there have definitely been sacrifices.”
Heughan has made it work for the most part. Recently returning from a road trip through New Zealand with his friend and co-star Graham McTavish; the two of them finished the second season of their travel show Men in Kilts. Heughan also flew off to Budapest and Mallorca to film the special forces thriller SAS: Red Notice. Then there was that Christmas holiday a few years ago when he escaped to Thailand for some intense Muay Thai training with local fighters.
Men’s Journal spoke with the Scottish renaissance man about those journeys, finding new hobbies on set, and the possibility of playing a certain globe-trotting secret agent.
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Men’s Journal: Outlander has been such a big part of your life. Are there certain moments of the show that stand out to you?
Sam Heughan: We’re about to start filming the next season, which will bring us to 10 years of doing the show. You can’t help but start to look back at the journey you’ve been on. There are so many favorite moments for the fans, mostly ones that come from the books. The first season has a few that are dear to their hearts. No doubt, the wedding is one that stands out. For me personally there are moments that spring to mind—like when Murtagh dies in battle. That was just a huge moment for us, because you aren’t just losing a great character, you’re losing a great cast member.
Are there any interesting skills you’ve had to learn to play Jamie?
Outlander is great like that because we’re always having to pick up new skills for our characters. Back in the earlier seasons, I had to really advance my horse riding and become comfortable speaking Gaelic. This last season I had to learn how to throw knives.
Have you adopted any of these skills into your life off set?
One hobby I’ve taken up is archery. There are always a lot of bows on set, especially in the more recent seasons. I really enjoyed using them, and now I have a couple bows at home. I have a bullseye set up in the backyard and, sometimes, like during a recent wrap party with fellow cast and crew members, I’ll place cardboard boxes around the lawn for us to shoot at. It’s a super fun way to spend an evening along with a few drinks. I beat them all in that competition—and the crew was made up of rodeo riders and true professionals. I mean, we’d all been drinking quite a bit, so maybe we were a little bit loose. But I’m still excited about snagging that victory—although I’m always slightly worried one will go over the wall and into a neighbor’s yard.
Have you enjoyed getting to film in Scotland?
Scotland is great at doubling for a lot of different places, which has been invaluable throughout the run. Right now it’s doubling for North Carolina, which is pretty rad. During the early seasons, it was about using those castles, which we don’t anymore because we’ve moved from that era. This season we spent a lot of time filming in Glencoe, which is one of my favorite places. There’s this beautiful mountain called Buachaille Etive Mòr, or ‘The Great Herdsman.’ The locals call it ‘The Buckie.’ When we were shooting there during the summer, there was still snow. There’s definitely a weight to the hills there. Glencoe also has a lot of history—including a huge massacre, which I covered in Men in Kilts.
Speaking of Men in Kilts, the first season was based in Scotland, but for the second you went to New Zealand. How’d it go?
We just got back from New Zealand and it was a grand ‘ol experience. Our road trip went all over the country. It’s daunting to try to cover a whole culture in one season, but we did our best job. I think people will really enjoy it.
Did you wear the kilts?
Of course! It’d be rude not to at this point.
My favorite episodes are the sporting ones. Did you get one of those in this time around, too?
The whole season is a very active one, because New Zealand is a very active place. There are lots of sports to try out as well—and Graham and I are very competitive. The first sports episode we did in Scotland was one of our favorites. Sadly it ended up in a forfeit where I lost and had to skinny dip in the North Sea as my punishment. I needed payback, so things may have escalated in this next sport episode.
How’s your training going these days?
I’ve been traveling a lot recently and that always takes a toll on your fitness routine. I’ve continued to do what I can, when I can. That’s been a frequent issue for a lot of people, maintaining their fitness while on the road or without a gym. I designed a sort of gym-on-the-go bag with gear to help myself and others out in these situations. It’s a rucksack that has a lot of space you can use when you’re hiking. There are water bladders and a pocket for a weight plate so you can add weight if you want for squats, swings, or cleans.
Now that you’re about to start filming the next season, are you ramping up the workouts at all?
I’m preparing to start hitting it hard again. The normal routine would be a very functional strength regimen with lots of compound lifts and CrossFit workouts. Last season, I was thrown a bit of a curveball. I had a bike accident around Christmas. I was on a bike heading home after this huge CrossFit workout, and my body was completely tapped. I think that was one of the reasons it happened. I fractured my knee and got these tears in my MCL. This is the first time I’ve had a real injury that limited my ability to train. I remember the first couple of days I was just distraught with the fact I couldn’t do active things
I went straight to see my physio, who’s fantastic. I got all the information from him on what I could do and what I couldn’t. Once I had that knowledge, I went to Peter Vodden, my awesome trainer in the U.S. at Pharos Athletic Club. Right away he was talking me through all the exercises I could still do with my upper body and core while my leg was out of commission. As soon as I had my first workout with him, I felt better. Getting those endorphins really lifted my spirits. You start looking for ways you can move still—and it forces you to train differently. I did a lot more bike work and EMOMs.
How did you go about continuing to recover while staying moderately active?
I did more research online, listened to podcasts, and watched people on social media like the Knees Over Toes guy on Instagram for new ideas. Taking it day by day, I got incrementally better and started to feel my body recover. Beyond the physical side of things, it was also about what supplements I could take to speed the process along. I was smashing turmeric and greens. These days, I’m working out about 50 percent less than I used to, but have decided that’s okay. Even just walking is enough to get the blood flowing a bit more. Getting ten thousand steps a day isn’t as easy as it might seem, and there’s a tremendous benefit to it. I learned over this experience that maybe I don’t need to hit it so hard.
I know you’re still being careful with that injury, but do you have any goals down the road or fitness journeys you’d still like to go on?
I recently signed up for an ultramarathon, which I’ve been very excited about. I’ve wanted to do one for a while. Clearly it’s not possible for me to do it anytime soon, since my knee isn’t at its best. But I look forward to getting back into form where I can take one on. I love taking on the physical side of a role and hope I can take on something meaty soon.
I shot a drama in the UK called Suspect where I play a police officer. It’s set in the gym, and the producers told me that I’d be working out while we were doing the scenes. I assumed it was a traditional gym with weights—but when I got in there I found out it was actually a boxing gym and had to adapt very quickly. We leaned on the Muay Thai background I have.
Where did you learn Muay Thai?
I was inspired by the coaches I was working with in Scotland. I think we were filming the second season of Outlander at the time, and the only chance I had to get away was during the holidays. I went out to a great training camp on the island of Koh Samui where you train twice a day for two hours per session. I had pretty basic skills when I arrived, but I dedicated myself to the lifestyle, leaning into the idea that I was a real Muay Thai fighter. One of the great elements of being at the camp is your life becomes very simple, focusing only on getting better. I really enjoyed that. The days for the fighters would start with a 10K run in the humidity, followed by shadow boxing, pad work, then some sparring. There was more conditioning to do after that.
Once we wrapped up the morning workout, it was time to eat and get some sleep on the beach before the afternoon session. The afternoon workout was more of the same and you were wiped by the end of it. In the evenings, it was time to jump on your moped and ride into the city where they set up these exhibition fights. The whole community would be there, packed into this small space, to watch these incredible fighters. That energy fueled you up for the next morning. Being on that schedule every day of the week, I got ripped pretty fast.
Given all your skills, it feels like you’d be a perfect James Bond—and there have been quite a few speculations.
The rumors are flattering. It’s been nice to be in the conversation. If you’re going to be a character like James Bond, you have to believe you can do it. You have to believe in yourself, and I do. I’d love the opportunity and I’ve auditioned for Bond in the past—back before Casino Royale with Daniel Craig. But it’s hard to know what they’re thinking for the next one—or if they’re thinking about it at all right now. I would love the chance, and feel like I’m ready to take something like that on. I got to do something similar with SAS: Red Notice and I found the possibility of launching my own franchise interesting as well. The first film did really well. It hit the top of the Netflix charts in several countries. I was glad I got to work closely with Andy McNabb, who’s the real deal—the former special forces soldier who wrote the book it was based on. We’re still talking, and we’d love to do some more.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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