Alan Ritchson recently addressed the ongoing jokes about Jack Reacher’s lack of a workout routine in the hit series Reacher. The actor explained that the character’s imposing physique, which has become a key part of the show, actually originates from Lee Child’s book series.
In the upcoming Reacher season 3, Ritchson’s character returns to another action-packed investigation, this time going undercover to rescue a DEA informant from a dangerous criminal syndicate. Ritchson, known for maintaining a muscular build that matches the description of Reacher in the books, has become synonymous with the character’s physicality. However, despite his bulk, Reacher is never seen working out on screen.
In a conversation with GamesRadar+, Ritchson shared his amusement about the character’s lack of visible exercise, considering how unrealistic it would be to maintain such a physique without rigorous daily workouts. He noted that this quirk is actually rooted in Child’s novels, where Reacher’s only workout is a simple stretch after waking up. Ritchson said:
“It’s a little ridiculous with Reacher, I mean, but it’s funny. You got like this chiseled six-pack abs kind of physique in the books. And it’s like, of course, he’s a unicorn, you know. No, you would never look like Reacher without hours of training. Lee Child has a real sense of humor about it. There’s a book where he gets out of bed, stretches, and says, ‘That’s the workout for the day.’”
Ritchson’s comments confirm that the character’s muscular appearance doesn’t require any in-universe explanation of Reacher’s workout habits, which adds to the humor when other characters react to his imposing presence. This further emphasizes the character’s almost mythical strength, a trait that is also humorously underscored in the books with minimal physical effort.
In season 3, Reacher may face a physical challenge from Paulie, played by Olivier Richters, who is nearly a foot taller than Ritchson and possesses a similarly muscular build. While Paulie will provide a formidable challenge for Reacher, the character is expected to confront even more obstacles, including in the already confirmed season 4.
Ritchson has continuously maintained his physicality, and in each new season, he appears even more muscular. With Reacher’s physical humor being a key theme, it seems likely that the jokes about the character’s lack of a workout routine will continue to surface as the series progresses, particularly with interactions like the one Reacher will have with Paulie in the upcoming season.
