Actor Mason Gooding Shares His ‘Scream VI’ Workout Training Plan

MASON GOODING HAS a killer motivation to stay in shape. He’s one of the leads in the latest installment of the Scream franchise—so his training is partly focused on being strong enough to fight off Ghostface yet again.

His Scream VI character, Chad Meeks-Martin, is an integral part of the self-proclaimed “core four” of the series’ latest group of imperiled young people being stalked by a slasher. Gooding tries to encapsulate the physical of any part he plays—whether that means gaining strength and size, or slimming down and leaning out.

For his role in Scream, that meant achieving “the most aesthetically pleasing” look to match Chad’s jock persona. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to be in shape for any altercations with Ghostface that might come his way.

Gooding says he played sports as a kid—something his father, Cuba Gooding Junior, encouraged him to do to get him out of the house. Mason tells Men’s Health that he was a “chubby kid” growing up, so building his current physique is has been an accomplishment for him. “I was achieving something that I thought I couldn’t,” he says.

The first time Gooding ever partnered with a trainer was to prep for his role as Reed in the 2021 film Pools, in which he showed off his body, often. Now, he says his workouts consist of compound moves and a ton of core. He incorporates more dynamic exercises, “to show that you kind of have a wider range of skill than just picking things up and putting them back down,” he says.

Mason Gooding’s Scream VI Workout

The Warmup

Cardio: Jump Rope

3 sets of 40 seconds on, 20 seconds off

Superset 1

4 rounds of 6 to 8 reps each

1A. Trap Bar Deadlift

1B. Dumbbell Flat Bench Press

Superset 2

4 rounds of 6 to 8 reps each

1A. Weighted Pullups

1B. Handstand Pushup

The Core Finisher

4 rounds of 6 to 8 reps each

1A. Hanging Leg Raise

1B. Eccentric Dragon Flags

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

Cori Ritchey, NASM-CPT is an Associate Health & Fitness Editor at Men’s Health and a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. You can find more of her work in HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and others.