LayarHijau – Cheng Lei is known for starring in several historical Chinese dramas, including Legend of the Female General, Who Dare You and The First Jasmine. In some of these dramas, he has appeared in bathing scenes that showcase his athletic, muscular physique. His frequent appearances in such scenes have even earned him the nickname “Bathing Emperor” among Chinese netizens.
The nickname is not entirely surprising, considering how disciplined Cheng Lei is about staying fit and how many physical activities he enjoys. Even during busy filming schedules, he continues to find opportunities to work out. For Cheng Lei, exercise is not simply about maintaining his physique but has also become one of the activities that helps him maintain his emotional well-being.
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Memorizing Lines While Working Out on Set
Cheng Lei’s approach to fitness can be seen in the way he makes use of his downtime between filming sessions. When he is waiting for his next scene inside a trailer, he can work on his abs while memorizing lines for the upcoming scene.
This allows him to make the most of his time by preparing for his performance while exercising at the same time.
He also makes use of whatever is available around him for strength training. At times, he has even combined watching dramas with doing push-ups.
That kind of consistency helps explain how Cheng Lei maintains his physique despite the unpredictable and demanding schedule that comes with being an actor.
His studio has previously shared a workout vlog showing exercises focused on his chest, arms, abs and core muscles. His routine has included push-ups, dumbbell lateral raises, Smith machine shoulder presses and dumbbell bench presses.
Running Helps Cheng Lei Manage His Mood
Cheng Lei’s interest in fitness goes beyond working out at the gym. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including running, parkour and horseback riding.
Cheng Lei has described himself as an “interest millionaire” because of the sheer number of hobbies he enjoys. To him, those interests serve a purpose beyond simply filling his free time.
“Often, my hobbies become a kind of emotional companionship,” Cheng Lei once said.
As a result, when he is feeling down or needs to reset his mood, running is one of the activities he turns to.
His experience with parkour and horseback riding also benefits his acting career. Both activities require coordination, balance and physical fitness, which can come in handy when he takes on action sequences in historical dramas.
He Once Cycled From Hengdian to Ningbo
Cheng Lei’s physical activities also include challenges that require considerable endurance. He has previously cycled from Hengdian to Ningbo, covering more than 109 miles.
He is also a motorcycle enthusiast and is part of a motorcycle group in Hengdian. He has ridden with fellow actors and friends, including Li Yunrui and Ao Ruipeng.
For Cheng Lei, riding is another way to relieve the pressure of work. His various hobbies have made physical activity a consistent part of his lifestyle.
A Disciplined Routine Helped Him Through a Difficult Period
Cheng Lei’s disciplined lifestyle also developed after he went through one of the more difficult periods of his career.
On the variety show Travel Door, Cheng Lei revealed that he once stopped working for about a year after feeling lost about the direction of his life. During that period, he experienced intense anxiety.
To get himself through that difficult time, Cheng Lei decided to rebuild his daily life starting with the basics.
“That was the most disciplined period of my life. After making breakfast, I would go work out. After working out, I would have coffee and read. I forced myself to do things that were truly positive and brought positive energy,” Cheng Lei said.
The routine gradually helped him regain his balance. The habits he developed during that period have since remained an important part of his daily life.
He Even Brings Books to the Set
Exercise is not the only activity Cheng Lei makes time for. Reading is also an important part of his daily routine, and he has been known to bring books with him to filming locations so he can read whenever he has some downtime.
As a result, waiting between scenes can become an opportunity to do several things. When preparing for a scene, he can memorize his lines while exercising. When he wants something quieter, he can simply pick up a book.
Behind the athletic physique that earned him the nickname “Bathing Emperor,” Cheng Lei has developed a relatively simple but disciplined routine. Exercise, reading and outdoor hobbies are not merely ways to support his acting career—they have become an integral part of how he lives his everyday life.
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