At age 55 Keanu Reeves makes for an unlikely action hero, however his role in John Wick, the breakout action franchise of the decade, has cemented him as one of the best action actors in the business.
Reeves (literally) kills it as a legendary assassin in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and performs all of the action in the film himself (including martial arts, horse riding, and gun fighting, though he leaves getting hit by cars and thrown down stairs to actual stunt men), which requires immense discipline to achieve the necessary physical stamina and ability.
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick workout consists of mixed martial arts training (mostly jujitsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo), tactical shooting, and a circuit workout. While you may not have access to shooting training, or the intense level of martial arts training Reeves did for John Wick, you can easily adopt his circuit workout (and maybe even take a few martial arts classes!).
The John Wick workout was designed by LA-based personal trainer and corrective exercise expert Patrick Murphy. Murphy told Men’s Health that he developed a workout designed to build Reeves’ strength and muscular endurance without overtaxing his body, “[Reeves] wasn’t lifting crazy heavy weights—it was getting his body moving, getting his muscular endurance and stability—it was just a mindset,” Murphy said.
KEANU REEVES’ JOHN WICK WORKOUT
Perform 20 reps of each exercise consecutively as a circuit, with as little rest as possible between moves. After finishing each round, rest for 2 minutes then repeat for 6 total rounds.
- Reverse Lunge Front DB Raise
- Bosu Lunge Shoulder Press
- Reverse-Step Resistance Band Row
- Squat with TRX Shoulder Iso-Hold
- Stability Ball Dynamic Plank
- Banded Lateral Walk Pallof Press
KEANU REEVES’ JOHN WICK DIET
Though he boasts a slim physique, Keanu Reeves doesn’t abide by a strict diet plan, instead opting for simple yet healthy eating habits. He has said he doesn’t really eat ‘junk food’ anymore and tends to stick to clean and healthy foods like rice, chicken, vegetables, and pasta. While he’s training for John Wick he also eats a low-fat and low-sodium diet, but allows himself an occasional glass of wine or beer.
A diet ritual he does have? The night before a big fight sequence, he’ll enjoy a steak with “a little fat on it.” According to Reeves, the ritual is “totally physiological,” but something he’s done since he was in The Matrix.
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