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Source: Prime Video
When I think about the reasons why celebrities train for roles, the first things that come to mind are their looks and their ability to perform a particular task. the TV series "Off Campus"« The actors playing hockey players had to get into shape to look like student athletes and perform the hockey scenes. However, Belmont Cameli, who plays Garrett Graham in this hit TV series for the 2026 season, revealed another reason why he had to "bulk up" to play a hockey player, and it surprised me.
Belmont Cameli, Antonio Cipriano, Jalen Thomas Brooks, and Stephen Kalin—who play hockey players and housemates Garrett, Logan, Tucker, and Dean, respectively, in this book adaptation—were required to train before filming the series. Kalin was the only one with hockey experience, so the other three had to learn the sport. They also trained to get into hockey shape, as Cameli explained to Men's Health magazine:
A hockey player's body type isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. When I got this role, I had to learn how to skate; that was the first order of business. But as for my physical fitness, my goal wasn't to drop to 5 or 6%, but simply to build muscle.
So, why was gaining muscle mass his main goal? Well, while I'm sure it helps him look great and perform better on the ice, it also helps him stay safe. Explaining why he builds muscle during training for Off Campus , Belmont Cameli said:
Hockey players get hit all the time. The more weight, the better. And I get hit all the time because I crash into the boards so fast, sometimes I just can't stop. So the more muscle mass I have, the safer I am.
I know hockey is a very physically demanding sport, requiring a lot of physical effort. So I completely understand what Cameli means. By building muscle, he can better withstand hits (whether they're hits from other players or being thrown against the boards). While he and his castmates may not be playing real hockey, they're still on the ice simulating games, so they need to be able to perform as they would in the real thing, take after take.
They also need to be prepared for the wear and tear that inevitably comes with it; by gaining muscle mass and improving their physical fitness, they can become "safer," as the actor who played Garrett put it.
Yes, training and gaining muscle mass helps Belmont Cameli look like a college hockey player, and this makes training scenes (like the football scene in the movie) «"Top Gun: Maverick"» ), the intimate moments and shirtless scenes in the series (because it's also an overtly sexual series on Prime Video) are great. However, this also helps prevent injuries.
Amazon Prime Video: 30-day free trial. You can watch the entire first season. TV series "Off Campus"« on Prime Video. A second season is also in development and will be available there in the future. So, you should sign up for an Amazon Prime subscription to stay up-to-date on Briar University. You can get the first 30 days free, then the subscription will cost $14.99 per month. View offer
Even though these are fictional hockey players, they're still on the ice, skating, and crashing into people and the boards. Therefore, it's important that they train in a way that prevents them from getting injured too often.
And to see how all that hard work paid off, you can watch the movie «Off Campus» with an Amazon Prime subscription.