From Beginner to 'Lioness': Laysla De Oliveira's Fitness Journey

Laysla De Oliveira, the acclaimed actress from the Paramount+ series Lioness, has demonstrated remarkable physical prowess on screen. What many may not realize is that prior to her role as operator Cruz Manuelos, she had never engaged in weight training. The 34-year-old credits her transformation to working with renowned celebrity trainer Duffy Gaver, a journey that began with her having no experience with dumbbells. Now, her rigorous training has become an integral and cherished part of her everyday existence.

Over three seasons of dedicated training with Gaver, Laysla has not only built impressive muscle but also cultivated a profound sense of self-assurance within the gym environment. She emphasizes that experiencing physical strength has profoundly influenced her daily life, fostering both a robust body and a resilient mind. In a recent installment of the Women's Health video series Strong Like, Laysla and Gaver showcased the comprehensive full-body workout routine that sculpted her into the formidable 'Lioness' she portrays.

Her workout regimen commences with a brief session on the treadmill, followed by escalating sets of push-ups and bodyweight squats, performed in repetitions of 5, 10, and 15, to elevate her heart rate. Laysla proudly highlights her progress with push-ups, noting her inability to perform them when she first started and her subsequent mastery. After a thorough warm-up, the routine progresses to equipment-based exercises, targeting her back with lat pull-downs and single-arm dumbbell rows. She then transitions to lower-body work, incorporating goblet squats performed on a slant board, a technique she humorously attributes to enhancing glute definition. The session concludes with arm exercises, specifically bicep curls and tricep extensions. While she once favored lower-body workouts, Laysla now expresses a newfound enjoyment for upper-body training, acknowledging the visible changes in her arm strength.

Beyond her demanding filming and preparation schedule for Lioness, Laysla adopts a more relaxed approach to exercise, curating a personal routine that integrates the movements she finds most beneficial. She dedicates approximately 30 minutes daily to these selected exercises, emphasizing that this practice makes her feel strong, secure, and content in her own skin. Her journey exemplifies the power of commitment and consistency, proving that with the right guidance and determination, anyone can achieve remarkable physical and mental milestones, ultimately finding joy and confidence through movement.