Like most college students, Melissa Fumero, who stars as Detective Amy Santiago on Fox’s hit show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, is no stranger to organized chaos. Between the late nights, the early mornings, and the Hollywood craziness that goes along with having a lead role in an award winning series, Melissa is definitely an expert on maintaining balance while crunched for time. And since keeping committed to her workouts is a top priority for her, Melissa always makes time for staying fit! So, who better to give us some sage advice on staying in shape while constantly on the go than Melissa herself?
For anyone unfamiliar with Melissa’s success, here’s what you need to know: the former dancer started out portraying Adriana Cramer on One Life to Live; made some awesome appearances on shows like Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, CSI: NY, and Men at Work – totally casual, right? – and also starred in some pretty cool films like Tiny Dancer and The House that Jack Built. Now, she works alongside an amazingly talented and diverse cast that includes comedic geniuses like Andy Samberg, Terry Crews and Joe Lo Truglio – and she’s hysterical. Oh, and somehow, as if keeping up with her crazy schedule wasn’t impressive enough, she also manages to stay super down-to-earth (she describes herself as a “dog mom” and “fun times enthusiast” on Instagram, people), and extremely close to family and friends. Is there anything this fabulous femme fatal can’t do?
With the September 28th season premiere of Brooklyn Nine-Nine approaching fast, Melissa is busier than ever, but she took some time to chat with ShapeU about how she makes time for fitness! She also got the chance to dish about the cast and what it’s like filming one of the most highly anticipated series to return this fall! Check out what she had to say about current fitness trends, squeezing in quick yoga sessions, and the awesomeness of barre workouts! Plus, some juicy details about life on set.
Fitness Q and A:
ShapeU: How do you find time to stay fit with such a crazy work schedule?
MF: It’s definitely a challenge, mostly because our schedule is so all over the place. For instance, Monday I may be waking up at 5am to be at work by 6am, but come Friday I’m going to work at 1pm and working until 1 am. Keeping committed to my workouts is so important because it helps with my sleep, my energy levels and stamina for long days, and also the pant suits just look better when I’m keeping up with it. I aim for at least 3 days a week of some kind of exercise. Even if I can only squeeze in a half hour of yoga on my deck – as long as I break a sweat it counts!
ShapeU: Is there a favorite fitness trend or go-to workout you’ve been loving right now?
MF: I’ve tried quite a few “barre” method classes here in LA, and I think they’re really great. Cardio Barre, Pop Physique, Pure Barre, etc. I used to dance, so the workouts incorporate a lot of elements from a ballet barre. They’re low impact, so they can be easy on your joints, but they’re really great for strength building. When I’ve gone consistently I’ve noticed a difference in strength pretty quickly. And like everyone else in LA, I’ve fallen in love with hiking. You get a great workout, work up a nice sweat, and then you’re rewarded at the end with an amazing view and a nice cool down back down the hill.
ShapeU: When you’re on set, what do you find is the best way to keep your energy levels up while filming?
MF: Stretching! When it gets close to hour 12, or we’ve had an especially physical day, the best thing to get a surge of energy is do a nice quick, deep stretch. It gets the blood circulating, and I always practice deep breathing while stretching so I’m also getting nice gulps of oxygen. That in combination with a lot of water usually does the trick, but I’m not gonna lie… there’s also a lot of coffee involved.
ShapeU: Do you have an active role/do your own stunts where you find yourself working up a sweat on set?
MF: I do! And I love it! Now, if it’s something at all dangerous they won’t allow us to do it and our stunt doubles will step in, but if it’s just tripping, hitting, or taking someone down we usually have the option to do it ourselves and I always do. There’s also plenty of episodes where running is involved, and it may be a short distance but you’re doing it over and over again as fast as you can. We have an episode in Season 2 that was really physical to shoot. I can’t say the circumstances, but I was running and jumping and sliding all day long for about 12 hours. My quads were so sore for about a week.
ShapeU: Are there any fitness secrets you can share about squeezing in exercise or getting creative with workouts when you’re crunched for time!
MF: You’d be amazed at what 25 squats, 25 push-ups (or as many as you can do), and holding a plank as long as you can will do! Sometimes in the morning before we begin, and I have 10 minutes before I have to get into wardrobe I’ll do some downward dog into a plank and back into downward dog. I think it helps not only wake me up, but wake up my muscles. It’s not much, but something is better than nothing!
ShapeU: What’s your favorite on-set snack?
MF: Ugh, the craft service table is the most wonderful and horrible place on set. We have healthy snacks, but there’s also loads of bad sugar-latent ones. Typically I’m not a snacker and I have to remind myself of that at work, because once you start snacking it’s hard to stop and before you know it it’s a routine and there you are grabbing something to eat in between every scene. If I grab snacks at all it’s usually a banana, bean chips, nuts or healthy plain popcorn. And I try to snack more in the morning. After lunch until we wrap I really try not to snack.
ShapeU: Are you able to workout when you travel for the show, and if so, how do you make it work?
MF: We don’t travel too much for the show, and thank goodness because I’m the worst at exercising while away. If I’m in a hotel room I just can’t find the motivation. It’s awful. Terry and Stephanie are way more disciplined than I am. Stephanie will find a pilates or barre class nearby and go in the morning. Terry is always hitting the hotel gym. Every damn day. They’re amazing.
And now onto some fun stuff:
ShapeU: What’s it like working with such an amazing cast?
MF: They are SO amazing! Not only are they all the most talented bunch of actors and comediennes I have ever had the priviledge of working with, they are also all incredibly generous, warm, and kind people. Every single one. It’s been really lovely shooting Season 2 as we’ve all become friends now, and the vibe on set is so wonderful and fun. We laugh a lot. We hang out and chat in between scenes, we sometimes will eat lunch together in someone’s dressing room. I’m extremely lucky and grateful to get to work and be friends with all of them.
ShapeU: Is everyone really as funny in person as they are on the show?
MF: YES. There’s really not a longer answer for this. Everyone is hilarious and constantly cracking me up on and off set. Even their texts are hilarious. Everyone is a fan of emojis and use them quite hilariously.
ShapeU: Any funny stories from the set? Maybe some weird habits or interesting quirks you love about your cast members?
MF: Joe Lo Truglio is actually a big foodie in real life, and sometimes when he’s talking about food he sounds like he’s doing a Boyle bit…it’s so funny. Stephanie could not be more unlike Rosa. She’s this big lovable nerd, and she LOVES Disney which I find equally endearing and hilarious. Andy’s face is so cartoony (which we all know), and he loves to hold a crazy whacky face and stare at me until I look at him…cracks me up every time. Andre loves to sing and will belt out R&B or Dreamgirls from his dressing room. Everything that comes out of Chelsea is hilarious, and if you do anything in front of her that she can make fun of at all… she will! And Terry loves to sing the beginning of our theme song after every take when we’re shooting the cold open scene of an episode.
As a primetime actress with tons of stuff on her plate from table reads and filming to appearances and interviews, Melissa has to have a plan for staying active and taking a break from long hours on set. Much like us collegiettes, she knows all too well how difficult it can be to stay fit and active while juggling whatever life throws her way! But if she can do it, so can we! Take her advice and apply it to your collegiette life on the go! You’ll be a super star just like her! And don’t forget to check out Melissa Fumero and the rest of the cast on season two of Brooklyn Nine-Nine this Sunday, September 28th, at 8:30/7:30c on Fox!
[Lead image via Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images]
Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Melissa Fumero Shares Her Tips for Staying In Shape [CC's ShapeU]
