Will Ashley, Josh Ford, and River Joseph on How Fitness and Acting Intersect

The group was quick to admit how lock-in taping has posed new challenges to staying consistent with their routines. Starting around seven in the morning and ending at around 11 in the evening is a common experience.

In these cases, River makes an effort to wake up earlier and squeeze in a workout. “During those times, that’s when I practice my lines also. I try to get into character.” He adds, “It’s also my way of waking up my body and my mind to prepare for taping.”

Josh and Will also stressed the lack of time, while still maximizing opportunities to work out when they arise. Will shares, “Sa mga nakaraang araw kasi, 'yung gising ko is morning talaga at ang uwi ko, gabi na—para matulog na lang.” This challenge is one of the reasons he uses his rest days to take care of his physique, especially given the physical demands of acting.

“Sobrang connected talaga,” he says about staying fit both physically and mentally, adding the importance of a healthy diet. “Makakatulong din talaga sa mental health mo.”

River adds that being in tune with his body helps him in his career, too. “Having a good physique and posture gives me confidence. Being comfortable in my body—knowing its capabilities and boundaries, and how it moves—really helps me in my everyday life and in terms of acting as well.” That way, he can easily slip into anything he’s asked to wear—even if it’s “sleeveless or a crop top.”

When asked about the lengths they would go to commit to a role—whether it involves losing or gaining a specific amount of weight—they all answered without hesitation that they would do whatever it takes.

Josh cites Christian Bale as an actor he looks up to. “Hangang-hanga ako sa kanya. Grabe 'yung mga drastic changes niya for his roles, and he's still fit until now.” He adds, “I would do it talaga. As an actor, you have to be ready for it.”

Will candidly expressed that it might not happen for him anytime soon, given the number of commitments currently on his plate. “Pero I’m sure, dadating din ako sa ganyang point, at willing ako.” After all, the former child star isn’t stepping out of the limelight anytime soon.

Meanwhile, River has been in a similar situation, recalling his experience on Love at First Spike. His character, Parker, was a bully to Uno, played by their fellow Pinoy Big Brother housemate, Emilio Daez. With Emilio being physically bigger than River at that time, the latter made necessary adjustments by gaining weight to look the part.

If asked to do it again in the future, River says, “I’ll do everything I can to play and look the role as best as I can. Anything that the production needs me to do, I'm willing to do. And if that means looking a certain way, I'll do everything that it takes to accomplish that.”

“I love playing basketball,” Josh says. Even during lock-in taping, he makes his way to wherever there’s a basketball hoop. Will echoes this, sharing that the sport is his main workout, especially given the importance of cardio.

It has also been River’s go-to sport, which he started playing when he was around five or six years old. He also joined the varsity team until high school, and now that he’s working, he still tries to play at least thrice a week. “It's a way for me also to catch up with my old friends, to hang out with [them] and give time to them.”

When the schedule is tight (which is often), Will resorts to running. “Tumatakbo lang ako kahit mga 20 to 30 minutes, para lang makapaglabas ako ng pawis sa katawan ko.” River cites running as one of his go-to exercises as well.

Golf comes into play on the rare occasions River has the luxury of time. “I enjoy playing golf,” he shares. “One round takes maybe four or five hours.” He visits the course at least once a month to try and sneak in a round.

Josh notes that taking on a role that requires an actor to look a certain way gives them the opportunity to work with a personal trainer—something he looks forward to experiencing. Meanwhile, for River, going to the gym is a must at least three to four times a week. “It’s my way to take out all that stress and pressure away from my mind and my body.”

While he has worked with a trainer, he now mostly does the exercises on his own. What’s important, according to him, is picking up learnings from these professionals—like the types of exercises and proper form—and applying them when we work out by ourselves.

Will, Josh, and River give as much importance to rest as they do to exercising. “To stay fit is to sleep,” Josh shares. “Sleep is very important to me.” With this, he tries to sleep as much as he can, including taking naps in between work schedules.

River emphasizes that overworking yourself can make you sick. “I really let my body rest,” however, he limits this to a day because he simply feels better when he sticks to his routine. “I still push myself to work out kasi it helps me clear my mind, and also helps take away all the toxins from my body.”