'Cross' Star Johnny Ray Gill Reveals the Free App That Keeps Him Fight-Ready (Exclusive)

Johnny Ray Gill doesn't rely on a traditional gym to stay in the elite shape that his fans have seen. Instead, the Cross star has exclusively told Men's Journal that he uses a mix of MMA training, outdoor workouts, and the Nike Training app to stay ready for anything.

How Johnny Ray Gill Stays in Shape Without a Gym

Men’s Journal asked Johnny Ray Gill to reveal his workout and diet routine that has helped him get in amazing shape. Here is what he told us:

For training, I keep things pretty dynamic. I train mixed martial arts with Sunni Imhotep, and over the years, I’ve also spent time training in boxing and jiu-jitsu. I follow the instructions of my coaches and instructors so I can improve my flexibility, range of motion, and overall wellness. I swim a couple of times a week at the YMCA, practice yoga at home, and use the Nike Training Club app for workouts ranging from quick five-minute sessions to longer, more focused ones when I have the time.

The at-home yoga practice through the Nike Training app is with instructors like Jonah Kest, Rebeckah Price, and Xochilt Hoover. They range the gamut in intensity and focus. I literally log into the Nike app and pick a workout based on my body and how much time I have in the day. 

I’m not big on traditional gym memberships, especially in LA, where time, expense, and travel add up. I built a lot of discipline training at home during the pandemic, and I’ve kept that rhythm. Most mornings start with hanging from a pull-up bar to wake up my shoulders and core. I also love being outdoors - hiking is a big part of my routine. The other workouts range from push-ups to pull-ups to weight training with kettle bells and medium and low weights with short or many reps. Burpees. Mobility drills. Cameron Ahouse on IG has some great kettlebell workouts I've used. I did a 70-mile trek to Machu Picchu in 2019, Lion's Head and Table Mountain last year, and one of my favorite hikes in LA is Bridge to Nowhere.

Diet-wise, I’m largely plant-based. I rarely eat red meat and focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. I also grow some of my own food - kale, collards, blueberries, onions - which keeps me connected to what I’m putting in my body. I try to think of food as preventative care, especially given how inconsistent food quality can be here. That said, I don’t believe in absolutes - I’ll indulge or try things when I travel. In South Africa, I had warthog, impala, and ostrich, but honestly, some of the best experiences are discovering new fruits and local foods.

Men’s Journal then asked Gill how his role as Cross’ Bobby Trey has inspired him to approach his workouts differently:

Men’s Journal: How intensely have you upgraded your workouts to play Cross’ Bobby?

Johnny Ray Gill: They definitely are more intense. I always say, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” Since I never know what fight scene they’re going to throw at me, I stay ready. I do a lot of boxing, a lot of sculpting, a lot of MMA stuff, and a lot of yoga. Because you don’t want to get injured.

I remember when we did the chase scene in season one, one of the stunt people pulled a hamstring. I’m like, “Look, man. You’re supposed to be more fit than me.” I think the physical body has a piece that needs to be ready for the moment and ready for your opportunity to step into being a leading man. Different things are required from you as an actor and as a performer. You definitely have to step it up.

Men’s Journal: In addition to being physically fit, have you stepped up your workouts for the superficial element of wanting to look your best for a role like this?

Johnny Ray Gill: Absolutely. I don’t even think it’s a superficial element. I’ll put it like this. You can have the best, the most innovative, the most altruistic, and the most beautiful ideas in your poetry, but if the poem sucks, if the poem don’t look good on the page, it won’t work. That’s a part of the presentation of poetry. I use poetry specifically because that’s always seen as a deep and artistic medium.

If you go, “Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet. And so is you,” that’s whack. You know what I mean? So there’s the presentation part of it. Entertainment is a part of it. It doesn’t mean that it’s the entire nectar, but it’s definitely a petal on the leaf.