How Lamorne Morris Got Action Hero Ready For ‘Bloodshot’

Lamorne Morris was in need of a motivation to get fit when he landed the part of the quirky coder Wilfred Wigans in “Bloodshot,” where he stars alongside Vin Diesel.

“I had some extra pounds on me, and no one wants to be the person who shows up to a superhero film with a visible belly,” explains Morris, who is widely recognized for his comedic role as Winston on the long-running series “New Girl.” “Plus, I was unsure how Vin would treat me. Would he unexpectedly go all out, flexing in a tank top while casually holding a beer?”

“Bloodshot” tells the story of Ray Garrison, portrayed by Diesel, who, after dying in action, is brought back to life as a cyber-enhanced soldier. The character arc of Wigans is designed to possibly lead to his own super-soldier evolution in future installments, providing Morris with all the motivation he needed to hit the gym.

Upon securing the role, Morris found himself at Ultimate Performance in Los Angeles, where he established his fitness goals aimed at shedding weight and building muscle. On that particular day, he was teamed with Eddie Baruta, the global head of personal training at U.P. Morris describes him as “a ripped Romanian guy who’s one of the most intimidating figures I’ve ever encountered.”

However, beyond his tough exterior, Morris discovered that Baruta was precisely the type of trainer who could help him achieve his fitness aspirations. They commenced a full-body workout regimen that focused on supersets and compound exercises to boost strength and performance. The training was further enhanced with specialized strongman exercises, such as farmer’s walks, sled pulls, and prowler pushes, which presented a challenge for Morris initially.

“Morris reminisces, “During my initial attempt, I struggled to move the sled across the room.” Determined not to let a piece of equipment defeat him, he purchased one for himself to use at home and practiced whenever he could. Coupled with several months in Baruta’s program, he began to feel confident in his abilities. “Returning to the gym and effortlessly maneuvering with it was a fantastic feeling.”

Baruta’s approach involved mixing strength-training circuits with a boost in overall energy expenditure, which Morris supplemented with regular jogging and basketball games. He also made it a point to walk as much as possible, ensuring he stayed active throughout the day.

The last piece of the puzzle was refining Morris’ diet, which meant eliminating some beloved dishes. “I knew I’d have to give up the hamburgers and fried chicken,” Morris shares, revealing that he would send photos of his meals to Baruta for feedback. “But I was shocked to learn how much fat was in cashews! I’d been munching on a bag daily, thinking I was making a healthy choice.”

Since embarking on this journey, Morris has lost approximately 40 pounds and continues to make progress. “Now, when I look in the mirror, I see more than just the ‘funny best friend,'” he reflects. “I see someone who has the potential to be an action star.”

A Day Inside Lamorne’s Training (Chest + Shoulders)

Superset A
Complete 4 rounds of this superset with 60 seconds rest between sets.

A1. Neutral Grip Chin-Ups: 8 reps
A2. Flat Dumbbell Press: 8 reps

Superset B
Complete 4 rounds of this superset with 60 seconds rest between sets.

B1. Neutral Grip Seated Chest Supported Row: 10 reps
B2. Incline Machine Press: 10 reps

Superset C
Complete 4 rounds of this superset with 60 seconds rest between sets.

C1. Lat Pulldown With Neutral Grip: 12 reps
C2. Lat Machine Press: 12 reps

Superset D
Complete 4 rounds of this superset with 60 seconds rest between sets.

D1. Chest-Supported Lat Raise With Dumbbells: 20 reps
D2. Chest-Supported Row To Neck: 15 reps

Finisher E

Deadmill Sprint (15 seconds on, 45 seconds off): 8 reps