Jennifer Garner, Alicia Vikander and More Badass Women Share Their Secrets to Getting in Shape

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Jennifer Garner, Alicia Vikander and More Badass Women Share Their Secrets to Getting in Shape

These women are ready for action! Hollywood’s strongest women – and the pros who help sculpt them – reveal how they get into fighting shape. Scroll through Us Weekly’s gallery to get the scoop from the biggest TV and film stars.

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Alicia Vikander

Following in Angelina Jolie’s footsteps isn’t easy, so Alicia Vikander worked extremely hard to get in shape to play Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Swedish trainer Magnus Lygdback led the actress, 29, through heavy lifting, MMA training and rock climbing before filming, helping her gain 10 to 12 pounds of muscle. “It was tough, but it was so worth it in the end,” she tells Us.

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Krysten Ritter

Playing a Marvel Superhero is hard work and Jessica Jones star Krysten Ritter knows all about that, putting in endless push ups and weight training to get prepared for the Netflix show. “You work out so hard, you feel like you’re going to throw up,” she tells Us. However, she found something she actually loves: boxing. “It makes me feel strong. It's so f—king fun,” the actress, 36, told Women’s Health. “You have to focus and be present ... because if you aren't present, you're going to get hit in the face."

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Maggie Q

FBI agent Hannah Wells is completely fearless, which meant Designated Survivor star Maggie Q had to work her butt off! “I use cardio as a tool to make it through kicking ass on screen,” the actress, 38, tells Us, also adding that being flexible is just as important. “I have a natural affinity for martial arts. When I started out, I couldn’t even touch my toes,” she says.

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Ilfenesh Hadera

Being cast in ABC’s Deception was a dream come true for Ilfenesh Hadera, who loves “kicking in doors and tackling people.” She logs three to four sessions a week at New York’s The Dogpound, where she works on strength training drills. “Core and legs are my go-tos,” the actress, 32, says, adding she mixes in spinning and barre classes, but also rests! “I take two days off a week for my body to recover and because, mentally, it’s nice,” she tells Us.

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Miranda Rae Mayo

Playing a kick-ass firefighter on Chicago Fire hasn’t been easy but it has been thrilling for Miranda Rae Mayo. While carrying more than 65 lbs. of gear during shooting, she admits “just being on set is a workout!” However, she also works out with trainer Dave Carson during the week and takes spin classes and Bikram yoga on her own. The actress, 27, admits watching Black Panther helped her step up her workout game!

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Priyanka Chopra

FBI agent Alex Parrish upped her game for this season of Quantico, which meant Priyanka Chopra had to do the same. “She’s a lot more lethal, and her fighting technique is less messy. So I had to train for that,” Chopra, 35, tells Us. She takes advantage of getting a workout in while filming, “training with professionals who show me how to combat,” she says. However, she allows herself cheat days. “I’m a total believer in ‘if you want a pizza, go get it.’ But then you eat a salad for the next two days. You have to compensate.” The little things also help: “I chose to walk instead of taking a car. I take the stairs instead of an elevator.”

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Jaina Lee Ortiz

To take on a Seattle firefighter in ABC’s Station 19, Jaina Lee Ortiz pushed herself – and “felt like Superwoman afterward” – through the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Plus, she doesn’t miss a workout with L.A. trainer Louis Jones. “After a couple of ride alongs with real firefighters, I learned that I have no excuse to skip a workout,” the star, 31, says. “Whenever I get lazy, he gives me the option to quit. It's like magic because I never do.”

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Jennifer Garner

For her upcoming thriller, Peppermint, Jennifer Garner was going for a specific look, focusing mostly on sculpting her arms, trainer Simone De La Rue tells Us. Garner, 45, partook in strength training, which included jump rope, dance and a mini trampoline. Nutritionist Kelly LeVeque adds that a healthy diet helped, which consisted of the Alias’ alum’s favorite smoothie – a mix of chocolate collagen protein, chia seeds, spinach, blueberries and almond butter.