Actor Hardi Möller: "Ideally, I train five times a week"

Estonian Youth Theatre actor Hardi Möller has been training at Reval-Sport for over three years. For Hardi, the main focus at the gym is strength training. “You start to observe and listen to your body and mind in a different way when you work out,” says Möller, for whom regular training also provides significant support in her acting career.

We asked Hard about his training habits and chatted about exercise and sports.

How often do you exercise?

I train three to five times a week. My ideal week is when I have done three or four strength training sessions and at least one endurance training session.

Do you prefer the gym, group training, or something else? Do you have a favorite exercise?

I prefer the gym for strength training. I prefer to do endurance training either outdoors or in a group workout. My favorite exercise at the moment is the soldier press.

How do you stay active in everyday life/outside of the gym?

The profession of acting is inherently quite physical, but I also like to walk, play volleyball, and dance.

How does physical shape affect you as an actor?

It has a good effect. Okay, if you think about it more deeply, then a certain amount of physical activity has definitely improved the qualities of an actor. You start to observe and listen to your body and mind differently when you work out. You notice the subtleties of movement differently – starting with how you stand on stage. What muscles work to stand? Which ones can relax? First of all, it is interesting that varied training teaches you to rest better, to relax.

Any tips if you have no motivation to exercise?

Dip your head in cold water, sip a glass of water, and if necessary, a cup of coffee, and start walking towards Reval-Sport.

How do you balance training and recovery? What are your favorite ways to unwind after a hard workout or a long day at work?

I'm a good relaxer, so recovery goes pretty smoothly. Just like training, you have to practice recovery. Allow your body and mind to relax after training, and don't hold on to the high that comes with training. Reval Spord has excellent conditions for this: saunas, swimming pools, and everything else.

Funniest workout incident?

I've also taken my dad to the gym. Last year was a period when we worked out together very often. The joke was hilarious. Let's be honest, gym humor is often quite absurd and it's hard to give a specific example, but you can get really angry in the gym!

You are a very musical person – you also play music in a couple of your roles in the Youth Theatre, for example you play the piano in “Plekktrum” and the saxophone in “Frideberta”. Does music also have an important place for you in the gym? Please name three Hardi Möller workout classics.

Music certainly plays an important role. There are two main categories of music that I listen to while training: hard rock classics or sacred music. It depends on what supports me more at the moment. An additional category could also be a 70s soul disco funk mix. I'll put three examples below:

Rainbow – „The Shed” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixJBcmavDeg

Hildegard von Bingen - "O Virtus Sapiente" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zScfIqQkjUk

Betty Wright - Let Me Be Your Lovemaker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_9tteGx-Jc