Men's Health July 20, 2026 0 Comments

From Stage Sweat to Immortal Swagger: The Untold Story Behind Sam Reid’s Vampire Rock Star Makeover

Ever wondered what it takes to transform into a vampire rock star—literally? Sam Reid’s journey stepping into the fangs of Lestat for the third season of AMC’s The Vampire Lestat isn’t your typical actor’s workout story. Picture this: night shoots stretching into the wee hours, workouts at 3 a.m., and a feral intensity that promises he could take down eight wolves barehanded (yikes!). Reid’s shift from a lithe, dancer-like vampire to a lean, mean rock star machine has turned his fitness routine into a high-stakes balancing act of grit and sheer willpower. Curious how he manages this undead-ly demanding lifestyle without losing his edge? Well, you’re about to find out. LEARN MORE

2 min read

SAM REID HAS a unique physical challenge for his role as Lestat, the iconic bloodsucking character from Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles book series. For the third season of its AMC adaptation, The Vampire Lestat, Reid isn’t just portraying a sexy, undead creature of the night. He’s also a rock star, using his physicality in performances onstage.

This is a shift from his portrayal of the character in the show’s first two seasons for the 39-year-old Australian actor. Reid says that he conceived that Lestat as more of a lithe dancer initially. Rocker Lestat is much more feral, and his daily workouts (twice a day, while shooting) and diet plan reflect that intensity. “He’s meant to feel like he could kill eight wolves with his bare hands—whilst still keeping that lean sort of vibe,” Reid tells Men’s Health.

The actual opportunities to train also present challenge. Since the series relies on so many night shoots for its nocturnal subjects, Reid winds up needing to train at three in the morning on some days to fit everything in. “I do it when I have to,” he says of his early AM training sessions. “I wouldn’t recommend it—it’s not healthy. But sometimes you just do what you can.”

Reid dropped by the MH Fitness Hub to share the details of his workout and diet, along with how he trains when he’s not forced to become a creature of the night for filming.

Sam Reid’s Upper Body Lestat Workout

Weighted Chinup

3 sets of 8 reps

Hammer Curls

3 sets of 12 reps

Close-Grip Dumbbell Bench Press

3 sets of 8 reps

Dumbbell Skull Crusher

3 sets of 8 reps

Cable Triceps Pressdown

3 sets of 8 to 12 reps

Cable Biceps Curl

3 sets of 8 to 12 reps

Cable Fly

3 sets of 8 to 12 reps

Cable Crunch

3 sets of 8 to 12 reps

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

Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, PES, a senior editor at Men’s Health, is a certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.