He dazzled with song and dance in Glee, and now his footwork gets even fancier. Actor Grant Gustin returns this fall to television with lightning-fast reflexes and super speed, and uses these gifts for good in The CW’s new action-packed drama The Flash. After being struck by lightning on an episode of Arrow last season, endearingly geeky forensic investi-

gator Barry Allen awakens from a nine-month coma to discover that he’s literally the fastest man alive. Taking on the mantle of The Flash, Barry joins forces with STAR Labs and protects his city from evil—superhuman and otherwise. Call him the Scarlet Speedster, the Crimson Comet or whatever you wish, but we think this superhero won’t be just a flash in the pan.

A L I F E L E SS

O R D I N A RYTimesFast

111cbswatchmagazine.com

Grant Gustin,The Flash

Grant Gustin has a need

for speed in The Flash

KhAR

en h

iLL/

The

CW

Flash

Michael M

uller/cPi-SYNDicaTiON

Grant Gustin, The Flash

Have you always been active?as a young kid i played soccer and baseball, and i started dancing when i was 10. i did musical theater my whole life, danced in high school and college, and toured pro-fessionally [in the 2010 Broadway revival tour of West Side Story]. i was never a prima ballerina, but i have dance training, so it makes me more fluid as my character. it’s made me agile. Jesse L. Martin, who plays Detective Joe West, and i sometimes tap together on set, but that’s all the dancing i do these days.

How have you gotten in shape for the role, which requires a lot of running?i’m doing a full-body training that’s similar to cross-training. i worked with a track-and-field trainer who showed me how to start running without hurting myself and looking silly. i’m long and lanky, and i’ve always run like i’m reaching in front of me. i learned that your legs aren’t supposed to go too far in front or in back of you. it’s almost like an animal would run. i’m bulking up a little bit and putting

robably best known for playing bad boy Sebastian on Glee, Grant Gustin is now flexing his biceps instead of his vocal cords as reluctant

superhero Barry Allen in The Flash. To prepare for the role, he traded in dance shoes for running kicks, and has focused on bulking up without becoming too Hulk-like. The Norfolk, Va., native, 24, shares his secrets for perfecting your running form and looking buff in front of the camera.

— Michele Shapiro, with additional reporting

by Deanna Barnert

on some muscle, but [the show’s producers] want me to be lean. it’s been made very clear to me that we don’t need two Stephen Amells on The cW! i can’t compete with that. i’m Grant and

that’s what i bring to the table.

What piece of equipment or fitness gear do you swear by?

i do most of my training and working out at gyms, but i’ve got a pullup bar and a Perfect Pushup [rotating pushup handles

with comfortable rubberized grips] that are the best when i can’t get to the gym. You just pound a few of each out before you shoot

and it makes you look bigger, so that’s my go-to on a shoot day.

You have a tattoo that says “Superman … I love him.” What’s the story behind that?When i was a kid, i was a huge Super-man fan. i was also really into drawing and coloring. My mother would draw Superman for me and i’d color it in, so the tattoo is in her handwriting.

How do you stay disciplined on set with so much food

around?i just try to eat healthy. i have a lot of smooth-

ies between meals—protein-heavy, to keep the weight on when i’m working long hours. i have special requests for catering for a lot of plain, healthy, boring things. To be honest, i love a plain chicken breast with a kale salad and some cucumber. i’m not a foodie. i eat for fuel. i’ve always been that way.

the flashairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. eT/PT on The cW.

DancerHe may play a superhero on The CW’s The Flash, but in real life Grant Gustin is a song-and-dance man

BoDy & Soul

112 DECEMBER 2014 | watch! cbswatchmagazine.com

1 2

31

2

1 editor’s pick

3

2

aDiD

aS O

uTDO

Or; S

MiT

h OP

TicS

Your Get-Fit Gift ListHoliday weight gain isn’t a given, if your wish list includes these high-style, high-tech fitness finds — Michele Shapiro

FOR THE ALL-SEASONS RUNNER1 • Moving Comfort JustRight Full ZipThis ultrachic moto-style hoodie regulates body temperature. It also has reflective detailing on front and back to keep you safe after dark. movingcomfort.com2 • iriverON Heart Rate Monitoring Bluetooth HeadsetA revolutionary headset continuously monitors real-time heart rate, physical

FOR THE SKI BUNNY1 • Helly Hansen W Stella Storm JacketThis waterproof, windproof ski jacket’s innovative temperature-regulation technology dramatically improves comfort and breathability. hellyhansen.com 2 • Bern Berkeley HelmetStay safe on the slopes with this helmet that features a low-profile look and comfortable fit. bernunlimited.com3 • Smith Optics PivLock Asana Interchangeable Performance SunglassesThese shades for women come with three interchangeable lenses for a variety of light conditions, and the nose bridge won’t slip off when you sweat. smithoptics.com

REI VITALITY GYM BAGThe perfect prezzie for

everyone on your list has ample storage space for clean

and dirty duds, and holds a yoga mat, too. rei.com

1 • Adidas Hiking Comfort Pant and EDO Boulder Loft VestOrange you glad you asked for these styl-ish hiking pants that have four-way stretch and a modern, sleek silhouette? Pair them with this Primaloft-insulated vest to stay warm at any altitude. adidas.com

2 • Teva Women’s Surge eVentWith their waterproof eVent membrane, these hikers are comfortable and rug-ged. Whether you’re on a casual walk or an intense mountain trek, your feet will be toasty and primed for adventure. teva.com

FOR THE TRAILBLAZER

location and workout data while you listen to your music. The iriverON also includes its own free fitness application available for iOS and Android smart-phones. iriverinc.com3 • Icebug Aurora BUGrip Running ShoesTrain outside year-round, no matter the conditions, with this lightweight run-ner. The outsole has a rubber tread and 19 carbide steel tip studs for ultimate traction on snow and icy sidewalks. amazon.com, shoebuy.com

cbswatchmagazine.com watch! | DECEMBER 2014 113