What happened
At 57, Hugh Jackman's elite 5K row time of 18:31.5 and increased VO2 max (59 to 64.3) redefine aging. His discipline, strategic training, and low-impact rowing demonstrate that peak physical performance is achievable at any age, inspiring a data-driven approach to health and longevity.
Hugh Jackman recently shared the results of a 5,000-metre row, clocking a hugely impressive 18:31.5 – at age 57. Posting the effort on his Instagram, Jackman admitted he felt nervous beforehand, and little wonder: the 5k row is serious aerobic challenge.When compared with age matched rowing performance data, Jackman’s time places him comfortably within the top 2% of men in his age bracket – an impressive result for a distance that can typically take between 15 and 25 minutes to complete.
The Average 5,000m Rowing Time for MenAccording to Rowing Level, the average 5,000m time for a man across all ages is 19:18.3. The fastest 5,000m time rowed by a man is 14:54.5. Using the following table, 57-year old Jackman sits in the 'elite' level.Unlike the 2,000-metre row, the 5k sits in an uncomfortable middle ground.
It’s too long to rely on power, yet too intense to cruise through at an easy pace. Indoor rowing has long been a foundation of Jackman's conditioning, featuring heavily in his film prep for physically demanding roles.His trainer Beth Lewis previously shared that Jackman's VO2 max was very impressive.
The trainer shared that for Deadpool 3 filming, 'Not only did Hugh get jacked, he also got super strong, stayed healthy for performance, and achieved a VO2 max of 59 mL/min/kg.'Jackman's latest reading is 64.3 mL/min/kg – a dramatic increase resulting from his consistency and hard training effort.Few people need to aim for Jackman’s numbers.
But his latest rowing performance offers a useful reference point. You can try the 5k row test focusing on:• Holding consistent splits• Pacing evenly• Finishing the distance strongJackman’s 5,000 metre row proves that serious aerobic performance doesn’t disappear with age, and can even improve with focused effort.
---Build strength, add muscle and strip body fat in 2026 with this simple four-week training plan from Men’s Health fitness director Andrew Tracey. You’ll also get a fully comprehensive nutrition guide, giving you the tools to create a smart, sustainable calorie deficit – without compromising your training.
Tap the link below to unlock 14 days of free access to the Men’s Health app and start training today.Click here---Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor.
Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.
Source coverage
Alright, let's break this down. My objective is to create a comprehensive summary of this Men's Health UK article regarding Hugh Jackman's recent rowing performance. The author is Kate Neudecker, a fitness writer with a postgraduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition, published on February 3, 2026 (a future...
Here's the gist: The central news is Hugh Jackman, at age 57, completed a 5,000-meter (5k) row in an impressive 18 minutes and 31.5 seconds (18:31.5). He described it as a "serious aerobic challenge," and admits to feeling nervous before the test.
Deeper analysis
Full source content
Hugh Jackman recently shared the results of a 5,000-metre row, clocking a hugely impressive 18:31.5 – at age 57. Posting the effort on his Instagram, Jackman admitted he felt nervous beforehand, and little wonder: the 5k row is serious aerobic challenge.When compared with age matched rowing performance data, Jackman’s time places him comfortably within the top 2% of men in his age bracket – an impressive result for a distance that can typically take between 15 and 25 minutes to complete.
The Average 5,000m Rowing Time for MenAccording to Rowing Level, the average 5,000m time for a man across all ages is 19:18.3. The fastest 5,000m time rowed by a man is 14:54.5. Using the following table, 57-year old Jackman sits in the 'elite' level.Unlike the 2,000-metre row, the 5k sits in an uncomfortable middle ground.
It’s too long to rely on power, yet too intense to cruise through at an easy pace. Indoor rowing has long been a foundation of Jackman's conditioning, featuring heavily in his film prep for physically demanding roles.His trainer Beth Lewis previously shared that Jackman's VO2 max was very impressive.
The trainer shared that for Deadpool 3 filming, 'Not only did Hugh get jacked, he also got super strong, stayed healthy for performance, and achieved a VO2 max of 59 mL/min/kg.'Jackman's latest reading is 64.3 mL/min/kg – a dramatic increase resulting from his consistency and hard training effort.Few people need to aim for Jackman’s numbers.
But his latest rowing performance offers a useful reference point. You can try the 5k row test focusing on:• Holding consistent splits• Pacing evenly• Finishing the distance strongJackman’s 5,000 metre row proves that serious aerobic performance doesn’t disappear with age, and can even improve with focused effort.
---Build strength, add muscle and strip body fat in 2026 with this simple four-week training plan from Men’s Health fitness director Andrew Tracey. You’ll also get a fully comprehensive nutrition guide, giving you the tools to create a smart, sustainable calorie deficit – without compromising your training.
Tap the link below to unlock 14 days of free access to the Men’s Health app and start training today.Click here---Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor.
Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.
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