Superman vs Batman (vs Aquaman vs Wonder Woman vs The Flash vs Cyborg): which member of the Justice League put the most effort into their training regimen?.

Flexing its way into multiplexes around the world this week, Justice League – the DC Comics universe’s cinematic answer to Marvel’s Avengers – is the kind of assemblage of compression-gear-clad, gym-buffed physiques not seen outside of the CrossFit Games. But which of the superhero collective’s actor alter-egos is the strongest off screen? In the absence of the figures for their respective max benches, MR PORTER has gathered as much evidence as possible about their workout regimes so that we can be the judges.

The willowy indie actor from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower showcased his budding superhero bod at the London premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. We need to talk about the We Need To Talk About Kevin star’s specific routine, hopefully during the Justice League press tour, but doubtless it involved Tabata (20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, eight times) and lots of sprints. Because the Flash is, you know, really fast.

Gym rat rating: no slouch

Again, specifics are frustratingly light at time of writing, but the hitherto relatively unknown theatre thesp has posted pictures and videos of himself deadlifting what looks like 360lb in a “Borg life” T-shirt ­– and slamming a medicine ball with his eight-pack on display. He also shouts out to trainers Mr Mark Twight (@wfmft), the legendary big-screen body sculptor responsible for chiselling the Greek-godlike Spartans in 300 and the majority of the Justice League cast, and Mr Stu Walton (@fitnessbyfortitude), for transforming “a 190lbs asthmatic goofball from Jersey into a 223lbs asthmatic goofball from Jersey”.

Gym rat rating: machine

Already massive before he appeared as Khal Drogo in Game Of Thrones, the 6ft 4in leviathan clearly enjoys some Poseidon-given genetic gifts. In fact, he’d never even lifted weights before 2011’s Conan The Barbarian reboot, preferring to keep fit through less structured pursuits such as climbing, boxing, surfing and swimming. He’s also partial to a six-pack of Guinness. But Mr Lisa Bonet can raise the bar – and himself – when required, performing weighted pull-ups with 88lb, attached under Mr Twight’s supervision, and pull-up ladders from 10 reps down to one and back up again – on a fingerboard (a climbing training tool), and after “two hours of back”. The “stack-uaman” workout also included: some kind of barbaric renegade row, lifting dumbbells to his chest alternately in a press-up position then shuffling forward; one-armed lat pulldowns while seated on the floor; and that boulder-shoulder bodybuilding faithful, lateral raises.

Gym rat rating: swell-fie material

Spurred on by the criticism that greeted his casting in Batman v Superman, Mr Affleck knuckled down to 15 months of training for between 90 minutes and two-and-a-half hours a day, six days a week; the Dark Knight also endured some dark mornings, rising at 4.00am to work out before 14-hour days filming Gone Girl. The gritty training montage in Batman v Superman is not far removed from reality: “Bruce Gain” repped pull-ups with 50lb attached, farmer-walked with 60lb weights and curled 80lb. (Good job really, as his Batsuit alone weighed 75lb.) His trainer, Mr Walter Norton Jr, who has coached the Boston Celtics and Bruins, remarked that his client’s discipline and work ethic stood comparison with pro athletes – as did his stats: 6ft 4in and 228lb, just 7.9 per cent of which was fat.

Gym rat rating: gym bat

The Jersey, UK-born London resident didn’t quite live in the gym for Batman v Superman, but he did temporarily move to Salt Lake City, Utah, the location of Mr Twight’s then-facility – over the Christmas holidays. With the help of Mr Twight’s collaborator Mr Michael Blevins (@gritandteeth), Mr Cavill developed even more size and strength than he did for Man Of Steel, deadlifting 500lb, front-squatting 335lb and fork-curling 5,000 calories a day. For Justice League, they resolved to focus on super-high definition, so Mr Blevins incorporated strongman movements to increase metabolic demand, stress and “interest”. A more detailed programme can be found in the December issue of Men’s Health UK – the one with Mr Cavill on the cover – but it comprised as many rounds as possible in an allotted time of moves such as Atlas stone cleans and carries, power cleans, burpees and weight lunges. Oh, and the occasional double session.

Gym rat rating: mighty mouse

She was still filming Wonder Woman when she was five months pregnant with her second child. Case rested.

Gym rat rating: bros, do you even lift?

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