Actor Adam Rodriguez forced himself to stick to his strict diet and work out regime to prepare for his role in the Magic Mike sequel, because he didn't want to appear as the "weakling" onset.

The Csi: Miami star, 39, returns to the cast of the stripper film for Magic Mike Xxl, the follow up to 2012's box office hit, but he admits it took some real commitment and discipline to whip himself back into tip-top shape after relaxing his eating habits and lifestyle in between movies.

He says, "We had to be completely disciplined. We were on that extreme path... we had a limited amount of time to get ready.

"Initially (I was miserable doing it), the first few weeks are the toughest, and then you get in the groove and you just become so focused, it just becomes the way you're living your life and you don't think about it."

Rodriguez admits he and his co-stars, including Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello, egged each other on throughout the training process and the friendly rivalry helped him step up his game.

He reveals, "We were all calling each other on the phone like, 'Are you in it? Are you in it? Are you in it?' There's a competition thing going on. You don't want to show up as the weakling! You're pushing your hardest for that."