Lawful Entry

by Bonnie Siegler

American Fitness, Sept/Oct 1992

Just as at ease on a racquetball court as he is in a courtroom, L.A.Law's A Martinez enjoys being healthy.

    Trading in gun and holster for briefcase and legal papers, A Martinez is cruising his way from Santa Barbara to the yupscale courtroom setting of L.A. Law this fall.  Martinez, who played a police officer on the daytime drama, is the latest cast member taking law and order to new heights on the award winning TV series.  "Both Cruz and myself were fairly physical guys," says the fortysomething actor who reigned as resident heartthrob for the past eight years on Santa Barbara.  "He was a cop so he had to be -- I am because I like to be.  Although he was physically challenging to play day-to-day, I hope to transfer that same energy in to my new role on L.A. Law.

    Martinez is just as confident with his physical activity as he is with his new role.  In fact, when it comes to anatomy awareness, he practices what he preaches.  "I've always been involved in sports like baseball," says the husband with two children.  "But with a job such has mine, the challenge to exercise routinely is finding the time to workout and keep in shape.  Some days are easier than others, obviously.  But exercise is an important part of my lifestyle.

    "If it force myself to do some sort of workout -- even if it's toward midnight -- it's more preferable than doing nothing at all," he adds.  "Otherwise, as I get older, I can just see my muscles fading slowly in the West."

    Martinez shows the same amount of discipline with his workout as he does with his acting.  After putting in 12-to 14-hour days on the set, his exercise routine is basically the same as it's been for the last decade.  "I lift weights on a three-day cycle for about two hours," he says.  "I do my upper body one day and lower body the next -- with one day off.  The weight size varies depending upon what muscle group and exercise I'm working on and how I feel that particular day.  A lot of times, I'll go bicycling instead of going to the gym.  I don't really have a set cycling pattern.  I just go and when I feel myself working up a good sweat, I'll turn back and head for home."

    The California-born Hispanic actor enjoys taking advantage of the clean air in his beach surroundings by engaging in outdoor sports.  Indoors, he prefers the drama of another court far from the L.A. Law studios.  "Racquetball is probably one of my favorite sports," says the 5'10" Martinez.  "My former playing partner recently injured his shoulder, so I haven't kept up a specific routine.  But I've found it's a great way to exercise, have fun and compete while achieving an excellent cardiovascular workout."

    In addition to his outward appearance, Martinez pays special attention to his internal system as well.  He takes vitamin supplements and is keenly aware of his nutritional consumption.  "I take multi-vitamins, multi-mineral supplements, iron compounds and other supplements every day," he says.  "I don't have ice cream anymore, even though it's difficult watching the kids eat it.  There's no butter or margarine in my diet, and I try not to eat much bread or rolls.  I'll have lots of salads and eat whatever oil comes on the salad, so I'm not a fanatic.

    "I'm not a calorie and fat gram counter by any means," he adds.  "I'm just careful and aware of what I eat.  I love having pasta for dinner, and burning those carbohydrates off has never presented a problem for me -- even though I might have dinner at 9 o'clock.  So I guess I have a fast metabolism."

    An accomplished singer and musician who made his professional singing debut at age 12, Martinez has always been athletic by nature.  With his good-bye to Santa Barbara ("For now, at least," he says) and his move to dish some courtroom antics, is he intimidated?  "Not at all," says Martinez.  "An important thing for me is to do the  best I can when I can at whatever I'm doing.

    "I enjoy looking and feeling healthy too," he adds.  "It's nice when I catch my wife looking at my body.  Then I know all my physical work has paid off."

  Return to Interviews page