Ditch dieting and follow FIVE key exercises: Australian fitness guru who's trained Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke reveals the secrets to getting a body like the formidable Dragon Queen

  • James Duigan, from Adelaide, is a world-famous personal trainer and author
  • He's trained Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
  • He recently shared some of his top tips for getting a body just like hers 
  • Tips include not pushing too hard and reading labels very carefully 
  • He also recommends five key exercises for success  

Playing the role of the Queen of Dragons is no easy task and Emilia Clarke has impressed fans with her dedicated efforts over the past seven seasons as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones.

But it doesn't come without hard work, with the blonde following a regime to stay in shape and maintain her stamina during hours of intense filming sessions - sessions that often involve riding an enormous 'bucking bull' machine.

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So how can you get a body like the ethereal Dragon Queen? 

Fortunately, Australian personal trainer, James Duigan has trained her over the years and recently revealed some of the key tips he has for those looking to sculpt a lean yet healthy physique. 

Emilia Clarke (pictured), who plays the Queen of Dragons in Game of Thrones, follows a regime to stay in shape and maintain her stamina during hours of intense filming sessions
Over the past seven seasons as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, Emilia has undertaken sessions that often involve riding an enormous 'bucking bull' machine
Australian personal trainer, James Duigan (pictured) has trained her over the years and recently revealed some of the key tips for those looking to sculpt a lean, healthy physique

Speaking to Whimn, James, who is the founder of Bodyism, said to 'ditch the diets'. 

'The only thing that works is balance. The minute you begin to weigh your food, count your kilojoules or beat yourself up for going out for dinner, it's over,' James said. 

'"What you resist, persists". So, rather than fighting against your cravings and making it a battle, simply let it go.'

James also suggested placing more of an emphasis on the cool down period of your workout and said that not cooling down is one of the 'biggest mistakes you can make'. 

According to James, most importantly you need to 'ditch the diets' - he said the only thing that works is balance (pictured: Emilia Clarke)
'The minute you begin to weigh your food, count your kilojoules or beat yourself up for going out for dinner, it's over,' James said (pictured: Emilia Clarke)
The celebrity trainer also recommended doing interval training, using yoga and pilates to 'build balance and strength' and, of course, mixing bodyweight with actual weights

James said stretching and a short cool down helps to 'carry important nutrients and oxygen to your muscles and cells' which in turn assists in the 'growth and repair of muscles'. 

 Just because something says its gluten free doesn’t mean its good for you.

The celebrity trainer also recommended doing interval training, using yoga and pilates to 'build balance and strength' and, of course, mixing bodyweight with actual weights.

'Using resistance bands can help develop a beautiful, long, lean body, without placing your muscles under extreme pressure,' he added. 

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'Using resistance bands can help develop a beautiful, long, lean body, without placing your muscles under extreme pressure,' James added (Emilia Clarke pictured in GOT)
'Using resistance bands can help develop a beautiful, long, lean body, without placing your muscles under extreme pressure,' James added (Emilia Clarke pictured in GOT)
Speaking recently, James (pictured) revealed that any transformation 'happens in the mind first' 

The ideal workout, according to James, is four rounds of five exercises including squats, push-ups, alternating reverse lunges, planking and skipping or jumping jacks - each of these done for 40 seconds each and all completed within 25 minutes.  

Speaking to Healthista recently, the Clean and Lean author said the basic idea behind is program is 'health first'.

'Any transformation that happens in the body happens in the mind first. It works unbelievably well and we have a great reputation in the industry for getting people looking and feeling amazing, better and faster than anyone else in the world,' he said. 

According to James, who trains Emilia Clarke (pictured), the cool down period after exercise is highly important
He also said that 'punishing the body' was never going to be a good idea and that with diet it's simply about keeping it 'simple, sustainable and reading the labels'

He also said that 'punishing the body' was never going to be a good idea and that with diet it's simply about keeping it 'simple, sustainable and reading the labels'.

'Question everything. Just because something says its gluten free doesn't mean it's good for you. It could be full of sugar, salt or chemicals or all three,' he said. 

'You need to be very aware and careful of that. It’s the same with low fat products. People have cottoned on, but not everyone is questioning what is in it to make it edible – loads of sugar and chemicals!'