How Gal Gadot became Wonder Woman: Secrets of her transformation into a superhero

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How to become a superhero in six months: the secrets of preparing for the role of Gal Gadot.

Who would have thought that the girl from the covers would one day swing a sword and take everyone's breath away? It seems Gal Gadot just blinked—and became an icon.

But behind this spectacular transformation lies not magic, but blood, sweat, and a sea of tears. How did "Miss Israel" become the embodiment of strength? Spoiler: it was tough, but it was worth it.
Actress Gal Gadot in a black jacket against a blue background
Gal Gadot
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When Heels Are Replaced by Armor

When learned she would play Diana Prince in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016), she immediately signed up for the gym. Six months of training for six hours a day: cardio (which Gadot, by the way, can't stand), strength, martial arts, and even horseback riding.

The latter initially seemed like a strange idea: what horse, why? But then it all made sense — horseback riding helps develop endurance, coordination, and balance.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman: in armor, holding a shield with her left hand, drawing a sword from behind her back with her right hand
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman
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To look convincing on screen, Gal had to master a whole arsenal of techniques. “Kung fu, kickboxing, fencing, jiu-jitsu... 1001 training sessions! I'm gaining body mass,” the actress told Elle magazine.

Army, Diet, and the Secret of Powerful Arms

Two years in the Israeli army taught Gadot not only to shoot but also to stay in shape — discipline, endurance, and dedication became her second "weapon." The actress carried these qualities into her role preparation: a strict training regimen, balanced nutrition (tasty but measured), and proper hydration.
Young Gal Gadot in a green sweater and with a large blue backpack on her back is saluting with her right hand
Gal Gadot heading to the army
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For maximum results, Gal worked with well-known Hollywood trainer Magnus Lygdback, who created a six-week program with five sessions per week for her.

The foundation was high-intensity interval and strength training — this approach, according to Lygdback, helps effectively burn fat, build muscle mass, and sculpt a toned body. Of course, you can try to follow Gal's routine... but remember that such programs require adaptation to personal characteristics.

Fights on Camera: Strength and Grace

One of the most challenging parts of the preparation was mastering the fight scenes. To make the Amazon battles both convincing and beautiful, the actress had to spend a lot of time and effort.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman surrounded by the film crew
Gal Gadot on the set of "Wonder Woman: 1984"
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On the set of "Wonder Woman: 1984" (which unfortunately didn't receive very high ratings on IMDb), artists from Cirque du Soleil showed the actors how everything should look, and then Gadot and her co-star, Kristen Wiig, followed their lead.

"Director Patty Jenkins aimed to use minimal graphics in the film. So most of what you see are real people doing real things—whether it's us or the stunt performers," Gal explained in an interview with FreshFiction.com.

A Superpower for Two

During the filming of Wonder Woman (2017), Gal Gadot was in the early stages of pregnancy. Her body quickly made it clear that acting is great, but first, here are some "perks": migraines, fatigue, and hormones on all frequencies.
Excerpt from the film "Wonder Woman" (2017) – Training
Gal kept her pregnancy a secret, not wanting any special treatment. Her colleagues thought she drank ginger tea to maintain her energy, but in reality, the actress used it to combat nausea. "I endured it all," the actress admits, as if it was no big deal.

Films with Gal Gadot consistently garner applause. Even Wonder Woman: 1984 with its controversial plot scored a decent 58% "freshness" on Rotten Tomatoes and still delivered a dose of signature graceful action. Why? We at the zoomboola.com editorial team are convinced: Gal doesn't just play a heroine—she becomes one. Do you remember when you first saw Gal Gadot in Amazonian armor—and how it made you feel?