The Workout J.D. Pardo Uses to Get 'Mayans M.C.' Strong

Brett Williams, NASM
·2 min read
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J.D. Pardo plays a tough guy on FX's motorcycle gang drama Mayans M.C.—but that doesn't mean that he doesn't get banged up in real life when he films the rough and tumble series. The actor, who stars as protagonist EZ Reyes, says that banged up his knee and hand while shooting the most recent season of the show. He gutted his way through the process—and then took a much deserved break from the gym to recuperate.

But there's only so much you can rest when you're a leading man. Pardo could stay away from training for a limited period, especially with another season of the show in the works. "This is work," he says. "There is a time where you have to step up and get back into it.

Pardo and his trainer, Shaun Nix, walked the MH crew through some of the exercises they used as he got back into the swing of of the gym. The pair worked carefully, pushing the actor to his limit without crossing a line that aggravated his injuries. That meant progressing with weight as needed on big compound lifts (which Pardo says have been essential in creating his physique) to where he felt comfortable testing his grip, and supersetting accessory movements to help to build muscle.

The actor credits his trainer for his training success. "I think one of the most important lessons I've learned during this time is having a support system," Pardo says. "Having people that understand your goals, where you want to get to, and that are going to help motivate you, encourage you, and teach you the right way to go about it even when you can care less about doing it."

J.D. Pardo's Bounce Back Workout

  • Bench Press

Progress to heavy 3 reps

  • Seated Cable Fly

3 sets of 15 reps

Supersets

  • Incline Dumbbell Curl

3 sets of 10 to 15 reps

  • Cable Curl

3 sets of 10 to 15 reps

  • Dips

3 sets of 12 to 15 reps

  • Triceps Pushdown

3 sets of 12 to 15 reps

  • Deadlift

Progress to work weight

Want more celebrity workout routines? Check out all of our Train Like videos.

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