Movies Halle Berry's Bruised trainer had her begging 'for mercy' with this brutal fitness routine Trainer Peter Lee Thomas breaks down how the Oscar winner prepared to portray a seasoned fighter in her new Netflix movie. By Joey Nolfi Joey Nolfi Entertainment Weekly's Oscars expert, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' beat reporter, host of 'Quick Drag' Twitter Spaces, and cohost of 'EW's BINGE' podcast. Almost all of the drag content on this site is my fault (you're welcome). EW's editorial guidelines Published on November 17, 2021 11:30AM EST Halle Berry flexed filmmaking might when she went in for the kill as a first-time director on the upcoming Netflix drama Bruised (in theaters now, then streaming Nov. 24), but the Oscar-winning icon also went H.A.M. on her ace physique to step in front of the camera as a down-and-out MMA fighter for the movie. Here, the 55-year-old's longtime friend and trainer Peter Lee Thomas breaks down how he got Berry into fighting shape for the project. Halle Berry flexes real muscle and directorial might in 'Bruised.'. John Baer/NETFLIX Rise and grind Berry's day began with two-hour conditioning sessions at 7:45 a.m., followed by mobility training and combat prep. When he felt particularly mischievous, Thomas would "push the envelope until [Berry would] beg for mercy," via a Navy SEAL-inspired, 500-rep challenge with squats, pull-ups, and knee raises, bookended by a one-mile run. "I do it because I know when she's on set, toe-to-toe with a pro fighter, she has to go the distance." Fuel for life Berry already gravitated toward a fighter-friendly paleo diet, and Thomas had her study fighters like Cecilia Brækhus and Claressa Shields to connect with her character's grit. "There's sweat equity," he says. "You'll see how the physical and emotional intelligence intertwine." Occupational hazards Berry fought even after cracking two ribs during production, so Thomas modified routines to lessen stress on injured areas. But Berry wasn't the only one suffering for her art: "The title is Bruised," he says, "so [costar] Valentina [below] walked away with some bruises and scratches" as well. A version of this story appears in EW's November issue, available to order here. Don't forget to subscribe for more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW. Check out more from EW's The Awardist, featuring Oscars analysis, exclusive interviews, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's movies and performances. Related content: The Fighter: Halle Berry steps into the ring (and behind the camera) for Bruised Director to Director: Halle Berry and Spike Lee, in conversation Coronji Calhoun Sr., actor who played Halle Berry's son in Monster's Ball, dies at 30