Ben Affleck is on a major fitness kick right now and a source exclusively tells In Touch it’s all thanks to pressure from his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, who’s now serving as his personal trainer as well as his therapist.
“Jennifer got in such incredible shape to play Elektra in Deadpool & Wolverine, training for months every single day for hours, it’s safe to say she picked up a few tips,” the insider says. “She isn’t as hard core now that she doesn’t have to be in movie shape, but she still works out a lot and, after his divorce, Ben started training with her.”
The chain-smoking Good Will Hunting star, 52, is working hard to get into shape for his upcoming role in Animals, alongside Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Kerry Washington, Adriana Paz and Luis Gerardo Méndez.
“He’s following a modified version of her Elektra workout, so he’s doing a combination of weightlifting, jogging, boxing, and even some martial arts drills to keep it interesting,” the insider adds. “Ben has a personal trainer, so it’s not like he’s mooching off Jennifer, but he was inspired by her and her total transformation.”
The Accountant star recently finalized his divorce from his second wife, Jennifer Lopez, after several months of back and forth with the singer that frequently had Ben running to his first ex-wife, Jennifer Garner’s, side for comfort and advice.
“Getting back to regular workouts has been great for his mood, he’s always way happier after a good sweat session.”
The source notes that before his most recent split, fitness wasn’t exactly a priority.
“When he was married to J. Lo, she tried so hard to get him to workout with her and at first he was all for it, they were in the gym together all the time, but then he stopped going and let himself go. But he’s back in shape now thanks to Jennifer Garner.”
A recent video even depicted Ben tenderly embracing his ex Jen Garner, with whom he shares three children: Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13. Even though the 13 Going on 30 actress is currently dating John Miller, the sight of the two exes back in each other’s arms is complicating things for Jen.
A second source previously told In Touch that even though their hug, “seemed very flirtatious, and some even interpreted it as a steamy embrace,” and “the way they were both smiling and laughing after has led many fans to speculate that they’re going to get back together,” their friendship is purely platonic, as Jen has been a rock for her ex husband for years throughout his relationship struggles and substance abuse issues.
“While some fans hope they’ll rekindle their relationship, it’s not going to happen. Jen will always ride to Ben’s rescue, but it stops there,” that source added. “Some people think John should be worried — most men wouldn’t be thrilled to see their girlfriend in an intimate embrace with her ex — but he is confident in the fact that Jen can be there for the father of her children and also remain faithful.”
