Batman VS Superman, one of the great clashes in comic book lore, is hitting our cinema screens this week. It will be epic, even if Ben Affleck is playing the caped crusader and you will walk out of the cinema wanting to take on the whole world.
But before you don some spandex and get your hero on, it may be a good idea to get on the weights and toughen up a little. Here we’ve got some workout tips from MaxiNutrition trainers Wole Adesemoye and Sean Lerwill to help you get Batman VS Superman fit.
Batman Workout
Batman Body Weight Workout, devised by MaxiNutrition PT Sean Lerwill
1,000 reps – 100 per exercise across 10 exercises – is no easy ask. Just like a typical day for Batman, versatility is key here. Perform these in any order, in multiples of 10, until you have completed your session. 1,000 reps later, you’ll be ready to step into the spotlight when it next comes on…
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Pistol squats (left and right leg)
Super fans will know that Bruce Wayne has no cartilage left in one of his knees! He’s had to rebuild his leg strength through pistol squats!! The pistol squats will improve strength, balance and control of your hip muscles, giving an excellent base of support for fighting the Gotham’s villains.
Pike Press Up
When Batman is holding ceiling structures above his head, it requires super strength within your deltoids. This bodyweight exercise will give you rock hard shoulders while helping you strengthen your core.
Pull-ups
You’ll see Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) carrying out plenty of pull-ups in his preparation to take on the Man of Steel. Working back, shoulders and arms at once, will all help him increase his strength as he prepares for the ultimate battle.
Plyometric box jump
Jumping across Gotham’s skyscrapers requires explosive power in your hamstrings and glutes. Box jumps will improves the reaction of fast-twitch muscle fibres throughout the body, helping you jump higher and quicker.
Pause Press up
Hanging from buildings to evade the Joker or wrestling with Mr. Freeze, Batman needs powerful upper body strength. A pause press up focuses on keeping your muscles under constant strain, forcing them to work harder, increasing muscle strength and growth.
L Chin ups
The Dark Knight is not just a master of the martial arts but also an expert gymnast, which is where he perfected the L Chin Up. The L chin up helps strengthen the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, shoulders, back, biceps, and builds up your entire “core”.
Burpee Dead Stop Press Ups
This separates the heroes from the superheroes! Combing the dead stop press up with burpees will really help you break through your gym plateau. The dead stop press up will inhibit the stretch reflex to take over; killing any rebound effect and making your muscles work harder. Burpees will get that heart rate up, testing balance and coordination.
Body Saw from Plank
When the caped crusader puts on the bat suit, his abs needs to ripple to intimate his foes. This exercise will help you sculpt a six pack even that even the man with abs of steel would be envious of. The body saw plank would work every muscle in the midsection.
Dips
Excellent for upper body mass and strength, the Batman routine finishes with dips. Now your ready to fight the Gotham’s master criminals!
Superman Workout
Superman Body Weight Workout, devised by MaxiNutrition PT Wole Adesemoye
Six exercises in one whole session seems easy, right? Think again. Warm up, then get ready to notch up 50 reps per exercise (in as many sets as it takes) working to a total of 300 reps across all exercises. Welcome to your kryptonite.
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Deadlift
Superman’s array of powers didn’t come overnight. Beginning with lightning-fast speed, super strength and a ferocious leap, his additional powers took years to develop. Likewise, don’t expect to become ripped overnight – but a full-body workout like deadlifts (50, remember) is a must to progress your own masterpiece.
Bench Press
There is quite literally no limit to Superman’s strength. Take a leaf out of his book and get benching. We can’t promise that you’ll also be capable of pressing 200 quintillion tonnes, but you can sure come close with this chest/tricep combo.
Front Squats
Due to Krypton’s huge gravitational pull, Superman couldn’t actually fly on his home planet. It was only when he came to Earth, with a much weaker pull, that he could jump hundreds of feet. The end result may not be flight, but after 50 front squats, you can be sure your quads will be stronger for any launch.
Snatch Grip High Pull
Whether saving citizens from burning buildings or, more likely, collecting cats from trees, ramp those traps up ready for the next heroic task you’re about to fulfill. A simple two-move shoulder workout will make that next rubble block feel like a cloud.
Pull-Ups
Superman knows all about the importance of a strong wingspan. Don’t let that leading hand drop when you’re flying through the air, and bulk up your lats and biceps with a series of pull-ups.
Dips
The ever-reliable T-shirt filler, give your triceps a boost with dips. Superman might be dating Wonder Woman, but you can bet you’ll be the one turning heads after 50 reps.
For more workouts and fitness advice by Wole and Sean, or find out more information on MaxiNutrition, please visit www.maxinutrition.com
