The Secrets of Bruce Lee’s Diet & Training

Bruce Lee is not only known for developing the martial art known as Jeet Kune Do or the Method of Intercepting Fist. He is also well-appreciated for his incredible physical strength and well-chiseled body, which has set the standard for today’s action heroes.

Today’s audiences do not want to see actors in “muscle suits. ” From Brad Pitt to Will Smith, many of the leading Hollywood actors strive to attain the lean, muscular look that Bruce Lee epitomized. What made Lee stand out was his workout schedule and diet plan.

Bruce Lee’s Diet Plan

Bruce Lee’s diet was rich in high-fiber Chinese foods

he took frequently. His diet included:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grain bread
• Beans
• Supplements

These foods are not only high in fiber but also contain antioxidants that assist in the detoxification process.

Like today’s bodybuilders, Lee had six meals a day, but they were small portions. This approach helped him maintain his blood sugar levels and keep his metabolism going. Another factor that was important for Lee was the intake of water; he consumed approximately 11 to 12 cups of water per day.

Lee knew that he had to take a lot of protein and very little carbohydrates, a principle he got from his bodybuilder friends. He was a big fan of protein supplements and often had 1 to 2 protein shakes a day. Protein, which makes up 15 to 20% of body weight, is required for muscle and other body tissue formation.

In the time of Lee, casein was one of the most used protein supplements. Today, whey protein is used because it contributes to a positive nitrogen balance better than other proteins, which is crucial for muscle gain.

Bruce Lee’s Workout Routine

Bruce Lee’s workouts were very rigorous, so much so that Joe Weider, the king of bodybuilding, could not help but take notice. Lee’s fitness regimen was a balanced one that involved balanced scales, free weights, yoga, and body weight exercises.

At the beginning of his training, Lee chose to avoid large barbell exercises, as he did not think that large muscles were helpful to a martial artist. However, he concentrated on attaining “functional strength. ”

Lee found out that isometric exercises could increase strength by a very big margin. He included the “isometric power stand” in his training. Lee was an innovative thinker and he adopted the approach of ‘if it is good, use it; if it is bad, do not use it’ and this made him a pioneer in many areas.

For instance, Lee used several isometric exercise equipment such as one that was later called the Tensolator. Isometric exercises were incorporated into his training regimen, a practice that is still common among MMA fighters to date.