Don't Mess with Bruce Lee
Reading time: 6 minutes
The name Bruce Lee has become synonymous with martial art films and he has rightfully earned the recognition of being the first martial arts star responsible for the surge in western martial arts movies. Moreover, he has been an inspiration for many to take up martial arts or physical exercise. But how strong was Lee? He was not a large man and did not have the size of a bodybuilder. In this video, we will be looking at Bruce Lee and the power behind him.
What kind of strength did Bruce Lee possess?
We've all watched Bruce Lee's awe-inspiring moves on the silver screen, but it's worth considering if it's all just an act. To answer this, we must look back to his youth. All of the impressive feats we see were usually choreographed by Lee himself; could he really back it up in a fight?
Youthful Years
At the tender age of thirteen, Lee's parents, concerned about his involvement in street fights, sought out training in martial arts for him. He was taught the Wing Chun style of Gong Fu, also known as Kung Fu, by master Ip Man. In addition, Lee trained in boxing between 1956 and 1958, eventually winning the Hong Kong schools' boxing tournament and scoring knockouts against the previous champion in the finals.
The biggest influence on Lee's development of martial arts, however, was the rooftop fighting culture of Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s. Gangs from various martial arts schools would challenge each other to bare-knuckle fights on the roofs, and Lee was no exception. He was able to combine techniques from different martial arts into his own hybrid style.
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Bruce Lee was a fan of variety in his training, so he explored a number of different fighting styles. In particular, he was taught the techniques of Wrestling and Judo by Gene Labelle, a national Judo champion. Viewers of his fight scenes on the big screen will note his incredible speed, which allows him to make moves that are near impossible to block. There is no special trickery to this, solely Lee's knowledge of his own body and skillful use of it.
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Bruce had to put in a lot of hard work to build up his strength, and what he ended up with was an impressive ability to generate power over a short distance in a split second. This is what allowed him to carry out his iconic one-inch punch. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't just the size of the muscles that matter but also how they are triggered.
It is essential that all of Lee's movements are timed perfectly, as the punch is executed very quickly. He must rapidly and accurately move the joints of his body, such as his hip, knees, shoulder, elbow, and wrist, and have each period of peak acceleration follow the last one without a pause. This requires tremendous coordination.
Although Bruce Lee wasn't a typical bodybuilder, he didn't need to be. His body fat percentage was very low and his muscles resembled those of a gymnast as they were quite strong. His lats were quite impressive, stretching from one side of his body to the other, giving him the ability to transmit more power between his upper and lower body. His strength was evident in his feats such as holding a 75-pound weight in one hand or doing reps of 50 one-armed chin-ups and push-ups with only two fingers. His size and build were not indicative of his strength and skill as he was able to use his body to its full potential.
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In order to gain the strength he needed for his fighting abilities, Lee was compelled to go through intense training. This included having both muscular and cardiovascular endurance, as well as acquiring strength and flexibility. He even incorporated classic bodybuilding exercises to his workout to increase muscle mass. However, he was careful not to overdo it to the point where the muscle gain hindered his agility and speed. Thus, finding a balance was key. His regular exercise plan included aerobic activities plus other exercises which were tailored to sharpen his martial arts skills. To avoid monotony, he diversified his workouts. One of his favorite exercises was running four miles in 25 minutes, three times a week. His running speed would vary, ranging from constant, even strides to sprints and back to consistent strides.
He had a rigorous exercise routine in addition to his running. On the days he wasn't running, he skipped with a rope for 30 minutes and rode an exercise bike at full speed for 45 to 60 minutes. To work out his abs, he did side bends, leg raises, and sit-ups. A few days a week, he practiced his fighting techniques like punching and kicking, plus stretching and form practice. Lastly, three times a week he lifted weights, such as barbell curls behind the neck, presses, squats, bench presses, and pullovers.
Lee was conscious of not only the exercises he was taking but also the nutrition he was consuming. He was aware of the need to maintain a low body fat percentage and fuel himself adequately in order to keep up with his demanding training. Chinese food was his preference due to the diversity of flavors, and beef with oyster sauce was a favorite of his due to the additional vitamins, minerals, and proteins it offered. Organ meats were also included in his diet, but Lee kept away from refined carbohydrates. He did, however, appreciate high-quality carbs such as rice and vegetables that were rich in carbohydrates. His preferred beverage was green tea, primarily due to its antioxidant content.
After examining the facts, it's safe to say Bruce Lee was exceptionally strong in his body and his mind. He had remarkable stamina, self-control, and determination, and he transformed the expression of the human body into art.
What would be your opinion on Bruce Lee's strengths? Who is your preferred strong individual?
Looking at all the evidence, we think it's safe to say Bruce Lee was exceptionally strong, not only in his body but also in his mind. He had an extreme amount of endurance, self-discipline, and willpower, and he made the expression of the human body into an art form.
What do you think of Bruce Lee's strengths? Who is your favorite strong man?
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