No rest for Wolverine! Hugh Jackman heads to the gym for a gruelling Christmas Eve workout

PUBLISHED: 16:05 EST, 24 December 2012 | UPDATED: 05:22 EST, 25 December 2012

Hugh Jackman kept the holiday pounds at bay with a Christmas Eve workout.

Instead of joining the crowds of last minute Christmas shoppers in New York City or lounging around the TV set, Hugh hit the gym on Monday morning for his daily workout session.

Dressed in black workout pants, a white T-shirt and matching trainers, Hugh could been seen working out his upper body with free weights and later on exercise machines.

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No slacking off: Earlier on hunky Hugh hit the gym for a Christmas Eve workout

No slacking off: Hugh Jackman hit the gym on Monday morning in New York for a Christmas Eve workout

A day earlier the Les Misérables star was spotted hauling a small Christmas tree through the streets of Manhattan.

The recent Golden Globe nominee sadly kept his defined pecs covered up in a black parka courtesy of his 2004 film Van Helsing, matching trousers, and fur-lined boots.

This year the 44-year-old hunk plans to spend Christmas in America, instead of returning to his native Australia.

Hit the floor: Hugh got down on the ground during part of his intense workout

Bearing arms: Hugh went through a series of upper body exercises

'I'm going to be in New York with my wife and the kids. We really go for it at Christmas, we do everything,' star recently said.

'We'll go to Midnight Mass the night before then have stockings and presents and just eat and eat. I'll be working on press for Les Misérables right up until Christmas, so I can't wait to spend time with family and friends.'

Row on: The actor hit another machine to continue his upper body workout

Huffing and puffing: Hugh looked like he could use a break

The family man revealed that he once gave his sister deodorant as a Christmas present: 'It was by accident though, I thought it was perfume!'

Hugh will soon reprise his role as clawed superhero Wolverine in X-Men: Days Of Future Past, joining an all-star cast including Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Jennifer Lawrence.

Tis the season: The actor was spotted hauling a Christmas tree home on Sunday

Director Brian Singer announced the news via Twitter, posting: 'I would officially like to welcome @RealHughJackman to the cast of #Xmen Days of Future Past. Very excited! More to come...'

This will mark the seventh time Hugh - who unveiled his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last Thursday - has played Marvel comic book character Wolverine on the big screen.

'Great 2 be back where it all began w/ @bryansinger & #xmen days of future past! And 2 work w/ the new cast for more than 4 hrs this time!' Jackman tweeted to his 1.7 million followers.

.VIDEO. Les Miserables star Hugh Jackman on dieting and karaoke

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Leave the poor blokealone.

- Sherliker-BritEx-Pat , Auckland New Zealand, 25/12/2012 20:26

Click to rate Rating 86

Hugh seems like a decent chap but that's about all that can be said.

- Matt , Auckland, 25/12/2012 19:25

Click to rate Rating 56

Good for him. He's a regular guy who happens to act for a living. He's keeping it real and knows part of his career/appeal lies in his physicality. Better to maintain it than to let it go. And by working out his metabolism will be in good nick meaning he can really enjoy Christmas. He's an alright bloke.

- Angel , London, United Kingdom, 25/12/2012 18:36

Click to rate Rating 72

He's real. That's what's so attractive.

- Chris Cameron , Australia, 25/12/2012 15:25

Click to rate Rating 133

Seriously ladies, you don't stand a chance with Hugh, he's spoken for.

- Ashley , Chicago, United States, 25/12/2012 14:20

Click to rate Rating 49

More famous for being together with a beast of a lady than his work....now beat that If you may. - Gunner1, London--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey Gunner1, Santa put you on his list as being the most mean-spirited person in 2012. Beat that one!.

- Fedup , Hollywood, United States, 25/12/2012 14:19

Click to rate Rating 50

Life isn't fair. He gets to run with wolves and I get to work with turkeys. Lol

- Funnybonesup , Buckingontockley, Australia, 25/12/2012 13:17

Click to rate Rating 51

He's a fine example of how a man is supposed to be.

- lover of , limelight, United Kingdom, 25/12/2012 12:04

Click to rate Rating 85

I wish I'd found huge under my Christmas tree this morning :( he's seriously hot and a 'real' man !!

- Nicola , Yorkshire lassie, 25/12/2012 11:45

Click to rate Rating 32

Hugh is Hot! For everyone asking Santa to place him in your stockings, I believe that's the wrong undergarment ;))