Most of you guys will say "the only way you guys are gunna get stronger is if you guys eat MORE".
Well then how did Bruce Lee (weighing in like 130-140. Not exceeding 145 thats for sure) get so strong at his bodyweight?
Pound for pound Bruce Lee was a very strong martial artist.
Now im not saying I want to be like him but i would like to know how I can get stronger at my bodyweight.
That is, gaining strength and staying at my relative weight. How would the theory of: eating more = gaining strength apply here?
Thoughts/comments.
ty
|
-
01-22-2010, 04:23 PM #1
How people like Bruce Lee got so strong..
-
01-22-2010, 04:25 PM #2
-
01-22-2010, 04:26 PM #3
-
01-22-2010, 04:33 PM #4
-
-
01-22-2010, 04:37 PM #5
-
01-22-2010, 04:46 PM #6
-
01-22-2010, 04:49 PM #7
-
01-22-2010, 04:50 PM #8
- Join Date: Jul 2009
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 30
- Posts: 1,287
- Rep Power: 0
He actually at one point embraced bodybuilding, buying all the magazines and articles around about weight training. He even did squats in a unique mannor but once he reached his peak at about 160lbs he ceased his bodybuilding and went back to his average weight that he usually fluctuates around (130-145lbs). Quite quickly apparently.
He probably did have a solid diet.
-
-
01-22-2010, 04:57 PM #9
-
01-22-2010, 04:58 PM #10
- Join Date: Jul 2009
- Location: Rhode Island, United States
- Age: 33
- Posts: 290
- Rep Power: 201
Physical fitness
Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon in 1972
After his match with Wong Jack Man in 1965, Bruce Lee changed his approach toward martial arts training. Lee felt that many martial artists of his day did not spend enough time on physical conditioning. Bruce included all elements of total fitness? muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. He utilized traditional bodybuilding and weight training techniques to develop muscular strength. Lee was careful to emphasize that mental and spiritual preparation were fundamental to the success of physical training in martial arts skills. In his book The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, he wrote
Training is one of the most neglected phases of athletics. Too much time is given to the development of skill and too little to the development of the individual for participation." "JKD, ultimately is not a matter of petty techniques but of highly developed spirituality and physique.[29]
The weight training program that Lee developed during a stay in Hong Kong in 1965 placed heavy emphasis on arm development. At that time he could perform single bicep curls with 70 to 80 lbs (about 32 to 36 kg) dumbbell for three sets of eight repetitions. Other weight training exercises, such as squats, push-ups, reverse curls, concentration curls, French presses, and both wrist curls and reverse wrist curls.[30] he performed consisted of 6 to 12 reps (at the time) per set. While this method of training targeted his fast twitch muscles, it also resulted in gaining muscle mass, placing Bruce a little over 160 lbs (about 72 kg).
Lee was documented as having well over 2,500 books in his own personal library, and eventually concluded that "A stronger muscle, is a bigger muscle", a conclusion he later disputed. Bruce forever experimented with his training routines to maximize his physical abilities and push the human body to its limits. He employed many different routines and exercises including skipping rope, which served his training and bodybuilding purposes effectively.[31]
Lee believed that the abdominal muscles were one of the most important muscle groups for a martial artist, since virtually every movement requires some degree of abdominal muscle activation. He trained daily from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., exercising stomach muscles, stretching to increase flexibility, and running to increase endurance. From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. he would weight train and cycle. A typical aerobic conditioning routine for Lee would be to run a distance of two to six miles in 15 to 45 minutes, in which he would vary speed in 3?5 minute intervals. Additionally, Lee would also ride the equivalent of 10 miles (about 16 kilometers) in 45 minutes on a stationary bike.[32]
Lee would sometimes exercise with the jump rope and put in 800 jumps after cycling. He would also include conditioning techniques to toughen the skin on his fists, including thrusting his hands into buckets of harsh rocks and gravel. He would do over 500 repetitions of this on a given day.[33]
Chuck Norris states, "Lee, pound for pound, might well have been one of the strongest men in the world, and certainly one of the quickest."[34][35][36]
My guess is Bruce trained for strength and speed and not for size (since he disputed that "a bigger muscle is a stronger muscle" tidbit.) It's definitely possible to gain strength without gaining mass. For example, you'll notice alot of powerlifters increasing their 1RM's without changing weight class.
Wiki says that his waste fluctuated between 26-28 inches, that's lean as ****.Fighting misinformation 1 post at a time!
URI - Biological Sciences/Psychology Double Major
---Currently studying for ACSM CPT
-
01-22-2010, 05:00 PM #11
-
01-22-2010, 05:07 PM #12
-
-
01-22-2010, 05:08 PM #13
-
01-22-2010, 05:12 PM #14
-
01-22-2010, 05:17 PM #15
-
01-22-2010, 05:19 PM #16
-
-
01-22-2010, 05:19 PM #17
I get comments all the time in the gym from people that have seen my progress. They don't understand how my strength has gone up so much, but my size hasn't. I've been lifting for eight months and have gone from 165 to about 188. I still look pretty lengthy but have stuck with a low repetition, high weight routine on every lift. I haven't bulked but have maintained a high protein and fast carb. diet to rebuild promptly. I'm not sure how Lee did it but I'd imagine it was either freakish genetics (metabolism) or he did some serious three rep sets for a long time with the cardio. and fast twitch lifts to get that speed. I actually love keeping my seemingly skinny chiseled frame. I mean I appear pretty skinny to most of the meat heads in the gym, but when I rack pull 495 for three reps, dead lift 425 for three reps, and throw the 95lb. DB's up for five reps on bench, some heads get turned.
Started: May 20, 2009
Out for Shoulder Injury: March 28, 2010 - Until further notice.
-
01-22-2010, 05:20 PM #18
-
01-22-2010, 05:37 PM #19
-
01-22-2010, 05:42 PM #20
-
-
01-22-2010, 05:48 PM #21
-
01-22-2010, 05:57 PM #22
For anyone that's bored watch and learn what he done.
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=EHCS7KZC:D
-
01-22-2010, 06:01 PM #23If I actually feel like answering, I will actually give you a pretty decent answer unlike some people :)
Are you a workout noob? PM me! I can help ^-^
Workout Log: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=122100711, feel free to criticize and suggest.
My sad little list of my lifts and their maxes:
Bench Press MAX: 255 lbs
Goal: 275 lbs
Squat MAX: 350 lbs
Goal: 405 lbs
Hang Clean MAX: 175 lbs
Goal: 215 lbs
Deadlift (No Max Yet):
275 lbs x 5 reps
Goal: 315 lbs
-
01-22-2010, 06:08 PM #24
-
-
01-22-2010, 06:12 PM #25
-
01-22-2010, 06:41 PM #26
-
01-22-2010, 06:47 PM #27
-
01-22-2010, 06:54 PM #28
-
-
01-22-2010, 07:14 PM #29
-
01-22-2010, 07:43 PM #30
Similar Threads
-
How do i get ripped like Bruce Lee?
By ripperzo in forum Workout ProgramsReplies: 15Last Post: 01-27-2012, 07:18 AM -
How can I look like Bruce Lee?
By SoyaWarrior in forum Teen BodybuildingReplies: 158Last Post: 10-24-2008, 08:03 PM -
How do I gain strength like Bruce Lee?
By corporatesuit in forum MMA FightingReplies: 117Last Post: 12-19-2006, 06:37 PM -
Lats like BRUCE LEE! how?
By ninjakick in forum Workout ProgramsReplies: 9Last Post: 10-15-2005, 01:14 AM
Bookmarks