If there’s one thing we can learn from Mike Tyson’s daily routine, it’s that he was not messing around when it came to his fitness.
The man was a beast, plain and simple. And while most of us struggle to hit the gym three times a week, Tyson was training like a machine, seven days a week.
Let’s take a closer look at what made up his daily grind.
5 AM: Rise and Shine…and Jog!
First, there was the morning jog – not just any jog, mind you, but a three-mile run followed by a series of box jumps and sprints.
And we’re not talking about a leisurely pace here, this was a full-on sprint that would leave most of us gasping for air.,
6 AM: Resting Like a Champ
After his morning jog, Tyson would head back home, shower, and… go back to bed? That’s right, folks. This man knew the importance of rest and recovery, and he was not shy about getting his beauty sleep.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to catch a few more winks after an intense workout? It’s like hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock, except you’re snoozing off a workout-induced coma.
Now that’s what I call efficient napping!
10 AM: The Most Important Meal of the Day
Once he woke up from dreaming of knocking out other boxers, Tyson knew it was time to fuel up with a breakfast fit for a champion.
And that’s exactly what he did. He didn’t settle for a measly bowl of cereal or a simple slice of toast. No, no, no.
Tyson knew the importance of a hearty breakfast, and he made sure to fuel up with a steaming bowl of oatmeal that would power him through his grueling training regimen.
12 PM: Sparring Time
After the clock strikes noon, it’s time for Iron Mike to get down to business. He enters the ring ready to take on any challenger that crosses his path, even if it’s just a sparring partner.
Ten rounds of sparring? No problem for Tyson. It’s like a walk in the park for him, except the park happens to be a boxing ring and the walk involves getting punched in the face.
But hey, that’s just a regular day for the heavyweight champion.
2 PM: Steak and Pasta, Please
When Tyson was done with his sparring session, it was time to refuel. And when you’re a heavyweight champion like Iron Mike, you don’t settle for just any meal.
Oh no, you go for the good stuff – steak and pasta. I mean, it’s protein and carb heaven, right? And let’s not forget the fruit juice – got to get those vitamins in!
3 PM: More Ring Work and Exercise
Tyson was relentless in his pursuit of greatness. After fueling up with his steak and pasta, he went straight back to the ring for more training.
It’s like he never left! And let’s not forget the bike exercise. 60 minutes of pedaling away while most of us are just trying to get off the couch.
I mean, how many of us can say we’ve done that? I’ll wait…Exactly. Tyson’s dedication to his craft was truly impressive.
It’s like he was training for a marathon and a heavyweight title fight all at once. And he wasn’t just training aimlessly either.
He focused on mitt work and heavy bag work inside the ring, honing his skills and perfecting his technique.
He warmed up for his ring work with light exercises such as skipping, shadow boxing, or speedball, ensuring he was primed and ready to go.
5 PM: The Home Stretch
After a long day of training, most people would be begging for mercy. But not Mike Tyson. He had one more grueling workout left in him.
Let’s break down the numbers.
2,000 sit-ups. That’s enough to make your abs cry for mercy. 500-800 dips. You know, just casually dipping your body weight a few hundred times. No big deal.
500 press-ups. Because regular push-ups just aren’t enough for Iron Mike. 500 shrugs with a 30kg barbell. He might as well have been lifting a car at this point.
And let’s not forget about the 10 minutes of neck exercises, you might be wondering why Iron Mike was putting so much emphasis on strengthening his neck.
Well, let me tell you, it’s not just for the aesthetic appeal of having a muscular neck. No, no. Having a strong neck actually helps absorb punches better. I mean, think about it. If you’ve got a noodle for a neck, one good punch and your head is bobbing around like a bobblehead.
But with a strong 20-inch neck, you can take a hit like a champ and come back for more. All in all, we can say that Tyson did a total of 3,500-3,800 repetitions in one workout. My muscles ache just thinking about it.
7 PM: Dinner is Served
And what did he do after all of those grueling training sessions in the day? Did he collapse in exhaustion? Nope, he fueled up with yet another steak and pasta meal and got ready for another workout.
Yes, you heard it right. Another session.
8 PM: Just One More Thing
As if his previous workouts weren’t enough, Tyson would hop back on the exercise bike for another 30-minute session before calling it a night.
And after all that hard work, what did he do? Did he hit the town and party like a rockstar? Nope, he kicked back, watched 30 minutes of TV, and went to bed. Talk about living the high life.
As you can see, Tyson was a machine when it came to training. He didn’t take any days off, but we don’t recommend that for everyone.
After all, even machines need maintenance and repair. You don’t want to end up like a rusty old car that’s been driven into the ground.
While Tyson had some of the best genetics and training staff around, you probably don’t have access to those same resources.
Unless you have a team of coaches and nutritionists at your disposal, you might want to consider taking a rest day or two. Trust us, your body will thank you for it.
Personally, I think I’ll stick to my morning cup of coffee and occasionally jog around the block. But for those of you who are up for the challenge, maybe give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Just don’t come crying to me when you can’t lift your arms above your head for a week.