Herschel Walker Workout - Herschel Walker Exercise
September 8, 2008 by admin
Herschel Walker was a fantastic running back who played for 12 years in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl twice. While an ill-fated trade (for the Vikings) put a dent in the potential of what Walker might have been able to accomplish, he remains famous for his absolutely legendary workout regimen. The Herschel Walker workout regimen is what kept him in shape even into his mid to late thirties, and remains well known as a shining example of dedication and how natural exercises even without weight lifting could give him an incredible bodybuilder’s physique.
There are two different workouts that might be referred to as a “Herschel Walker” workout right now: one mentioned in his book “Basic Training” and the one that Walker himself has done for decades now. Most of the references to the Herschel Walker workout will be to his personal workout, which many people who haven’t followed his career often automatically think has to be exaggerated b.s. But it’s not.
Herschel Walker never lifted weights, but looking at him you would never guess that fact. The reason? The best exercise is often resistance against your own body, and aside from the obvious running and sprinting, Walker’s entire workout consisted of only three exercises:
1. Sit Ups
2. Push Ups
3. Chin Ups
Walker’s work out is a staggering 2,500 sit ups and 1,500 push ups a day. Those numbers are right. 2,500 sit ups & 1,500 push ups every 24 hours. That definitely proves that Walker’s body isn’t just for show: those muscles know how to work. Walker’s philosophy on working out is simple: start every day very early in the morning before the distractions of the day come around, and do that work out without quitting every single day, 365 days a year, 366 on leap years, no matter what.
It didn’t matter if Walker was at home or on the road, every morning he gets up before everyone else and goes to an exercise area where he begins this iron man workout. This doesn’t mean that you should start tomorrow trying to do 2,000 sit ups. Many of us would be hard pressed to do 200 sit ups and half as many push ups in one sitting. What Walker’s freakishly difficult workout regimen shows is that dedication is the absolute most important part of any workout program.
When Herschel Walker was an NFL player he never lifted weights, but still performed at a high level. How many tailbacks get strong enough in “old age” in their thirties to effectively play fullback? That’s exactly what Walker did in his last season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Dedication and mental toughness are the hardest parts of Walker’s workout plan. He is adamant that these two factors will do more to insure your success than anything else, and he’s lived the life to prove it. For nearly thirty years he has done the same workout, and he’s never skipped a day.
For anyone who wants to know the “secret” of the Herschel Walker workout routine, it’s consistency. If you allow yourself one day off when it’s not an off day, then you’re going to just do the same thing later on and eventually stop working out altogether. When the workout is a constant, a part of the schedule, you might even look forward to that sort of structured workout.
Remember, only the dedicated get ahead.
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[...] read stories before about Herschel Walker’s workout schedule and been envious. But now that I’m trying stuf like this, it seems a bit [...]
I just got Herschel Walker’s Basic Training by Herschel Walker and Terry Todd, PhD and read the whole thing yesterday. I see why people don’t want to get rid of theirs and the aftermarket used price is so inflated. I saw the book on eBay mixed in with a grab-bag of fitness books for less than I’d ever seen it alone, so I snapped it up.
Walker’s autobiographical stuff is very interesting and adds a personal dimension to the book. Todd’s stuff adds a great deal with the science behind the exercises and is really what takes this book from a basic exercise manual to a classic book in the field. The plans in the back would be invaluable to young athletes looking to start out, and as the programs go to the Advanced level, they are helpful to more experienced athletes as well. I liked the included Karate, sprinting, stretching, and water workout tips.
It does cover basic weightlifting, as even Herschel Walker needed to add some iron to his regimen when he hit the pros. Overall, I think it’s a great book that deserves a reprinting. If you haven’t read it, track down a copy. It should be in every functional-fitness buff’s library.
Herschel Walker is a beast! It’s amazing how far he got without weights, even if he did add them when he turned pro.
An absolute genetic freak
Regards
Altug
So how DOES he do the workout? Multiple sets, straight sets, rest periods…. he is an inspiration it would be great to have specifics.
[...] source: http://www.2fit4you.com/index.php/bodybuilding/herschel-walker-workout-herschel-walker-exercise/ [...]
I recall that when Herschel’s book first came out it was lampooned and laughed at by most in the iron game and athletic conditioning communities. Those few from the aforementioned “iron communities” who actually tried to do what Herschel recommended were usually quick to “hit a wall” with that type of training, and jumped right back into conventional barbell and dumbbell training. The Herschel Walker approach to training is simple yet brutal and extremely productive. Walter Payton used similar methods in his training, as did quite a number of NFL players who were raised in the south, and did not have access to barbells and dumbbells during their youth. They improvised and succeeded.
Remember that Milo of Cretona became a legend primarily because of one exercise ( carrying a calf around on a daily basis…as the calf gained in size and weight, so did Milo ). There is no one path to physical improvement. Nearly fifty years of involvement in physical culture has taught me that there are quite a few “paths to physical improvement” that are equal to or better than barbell training. Of course, hardcore iron gamers still refuse to acknowledge that little fact to this day. Ha, ha, ha…it is their loss.
He said on “The Apprentice” that he is a vegetarian. I’d like to know his exact diet. Does he eat eggs or milk or fish as some vegetarians do?
It’s funny reading this because we had a coach in football that look like a tank but said he only did push ups and sit ups during commercials.
he also said after the Apprentice that he only eats one meal a day.
The man the myth..Herschel Walker was and still is my top pro ball player..As a kid in the early 80’s,I read is first book and began to do push up and sit ups as many days as I could..Over the years I lifted weights,but nothing can equal the old style push ups and sit ups..To this day,I do about 500 push ups and about 600 sit ups on good days witch is about 4 days a week.On the other days I do around 300 push ups and 300 sit ups..
What’s up Herschel,you have inspired me to take care of my body more now by seeing you continue competing in sports at the age of 47.Keep it going and Take Care of the temple & God WILL help you continue to help ours in ways we may not understand.
[...] abdominal exercises that are said to equal up to an incredible 750 sit ups. That’s not Herschel Walker territory, but it is still pretty [...]
I’m 33 years old. At the end of this past August (2010) I was the skinniest I’ve been since age 15. I’ve always been in good shape but let it go for a while without consistent strength training…
For the past month, I’ve been doing 500-600 push-ups everyday. 50-60/set, every hour. Just drop and do ‘em anywhere (usual secluded as it’s a bit weird to just drop in front of co-workers. I cannot tell you how great I feel. My chest and arms have grown faster than ever expected. My goal is to hit 1,000/day within the next month. Tomorrow, i’m gonna start throwing pull-ups and sit-ups into the mix.
To all that care….. Trust me, it works. No matter where your genes are from. If you can’t start with 20-30-40-50/set, start with modified on your knees and work up. Cruise past the pain and start rippin it up.
cheers
I have always beleived using the body is the best way to maintain a lean, resistant muscular frame. Along with a lean diet. i mix push ups, pull ups, sit ups and hiting the bag….