“Empty your mind. Be formless. Shapeless. Like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend”.

These iconic words are a testament to Lee’s martial philosophy. Bruce Lee’s level of fitness will remain a benchmark for centuries to come and his adaption to a wide range of traditions while sticking to his cores was what separated him from his peers.

Here is a sample log that can you an idea about his punching and kicking routines:

PUNCHES: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY

• Jab-Speed Bag, Foam Pad, Top and Bottom Bag
• Cross-Foam Pad, Heavy Bag, Top and Bottom Bag
• Hook-Heavy Bag, Foam Pad, Top and Bottom Bag
• Overhand Cross-Pad, Heavy Bag
• Combinations- Heavy Bag, Top and Bottom Bag
• Platform Speed Bag Workout

KICKS: TUESDAY/THURSDAY/SATURDAY

• Side Kick
• Hook Kick
• Spin Kick
• Rear and Front Thrust
• Heel Kick

And who can forget those abs of steel. They were not just for fantastic visuals but they provided an armour, a shield that could withstand the heaviest of blows. Lee would have his trainer drop a medicine ball directly on his abdominal to further toughen the gut. Here’s an example of that workout:

• Barbell side bend- 5 sets to failure
• Hanging leg raise- 5 sets to failure
• Sit-up- 5 sets to failure

It is important to note here that the definition of failure for Bruce Lee and normal humans is very different. He would do these abdominal workouts stretching hours on a length.

These are just a few sample workout that give you only 1 percent of Bruce Lee’s fighting and training method. There’s a whole world of archives that are stocked with Lee’s approach to martial arts. Just to start off the day, Lee would run 4 miles in 24 minutes, which is 16 km per hour running speed. What’s your best lap time?