Zac Efron reveals how he re-shaped his body

Zac Efron has come a long way since his High School Musical days, he’s worked his way into the ‘Hollywood Royalty’ list and it would also appear he’s been working of his biceps also, as the star strikes a pose for the cover of Men’s Health.

Showing off his newly-muscular physique, after bulking up for his role in upcoming movie The Lucky One, his biceps look even bigger as he places one hand casually in his jean pocket.

While Zac has always been in good shape, he had to bulk up significantly to play U.S. Marine Logan Thibault in the film, a big-screen adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ book.

Talking about his workout regime ahead of the movie, Zac said: ‘Physically I started eating a lot. Eating through walls. Just eating and eating. That’s all I’d do and I put on some weight that way and as far as the training goes, just trying different techniques and methods.

‘It’s one of the only concrete things that you can do to feel differently about a character. I didn’t feel like a Marine. I didn’t have the posture. I didn’t feel like I had the presence and that was just one thing for me that I could do to really up that change.’

His regime, which saw him train alongside Marines and Navy SEALs, saw Zac gain 17 pounds of almost pure muscle.

But the thing that stayed with Zac the most after getting into character for the role was just how the Marines and SEALs noticeable ‘presence’.

He said: ‘When I went in to meet some of these guys, the sergeants, I was blown away. I was taller than most of the guys, but they were just thick, like there was something about them. They had a definite presence.

‘Here I am, slouched over and I just smile a lot. I’m just always smiling. These guys were always serious. Honestly, it was one of the most awkward moments in my entire life.’

The Lucky One is released in UK cinemas on May 2nd, 2012.