Anime-inspired workouts
Besides bingeing on sports anime like Free! and Kuroko’s Basketball, you can also combine your love for anime and exercise with these anime-inspired workouts. And even if you’re not a fan of exercising, these workouts will make things more fun for you. Inspired by key features of the respective anime series and characters, these workouts are customisable to your own fitness levels and goals.
Here are 8 anime-inspired workouts categorised by fitness levels so choose a workout that you can handle and get moving.
– Beginner Level –
1. Magical Angel Creamy Mami workout
Image credit: IMDb
Magical Angel Creamy Mami is an old anime franchise that aired in the 1980s, featuring a schoolgirl turned pop idol sensation. Its original animation studio recently released a couple of simple workout videos based on songs from the series.
These workout videos are suitable for those who are just starting out on their workout journey. The movements are simple and fun variations of exercises like curtsy lunges, arm rotations, and butt kicks.
The style of the videos makes it suitable for both children and adults. You don’t have to worry about not being able to follow along – just keep moving and keep your heart rate up.
2. Sailor Moon workout
Image credit: IMDb
Sailor Moon started as a manga and was adapted into an anime series in the 90s. It remains popular even in 2020 thanks to its wholesome storyline, attractive graphics, and the main character’s iconic odango hairstyle.
Image adapted from: blogilates
This series of exercises developed by Blogilates are beginner-level and easy to follow, but they do work up a sweat. Cute names like “luna lunges” and “crescent crunches” contribute to the Sailor Moon theme.
Exercises include:
- Quick feet (running quickly on the spot)
- Moon abs (u-shaped leg raises)
- Plank jacks
- Meatball head arms (arm rotations)
- Luna lunges (forward lunges)
- Transformation triceps (tricep dips)
- Crescent crunches (crunches but alternate between left and right sides)
3. Haikyu!! workout
Image credit: IMDb
For an enjoyable and fun time, give this Haikyu!! workout a try. Since Haikyu!! is a series about volleyball, the workout is inspired by moves such as spiking, setting, and the forearm pass.
Even though the actions are explained in Japanese, the moves are easy to replicate just by following the video. Plus, the couple in the video are also entertaining and expressive with their reactions to the workout.
– Intermediate Level –
4. Hajime no Ippo basic training
Image credit: Ippo Fandom
Ippo is a shy high school student who was often bullied. When a professional boxer brought him to a boxing gym to treat his wounds, he discovered his talent for boxing. This workout is inspired by the routine Ippo went through in preparation for actual boxing training.
Image adapted from: Kaykey
This workout only consists of 3 exercises but the emphasis is placed on doing as many repetitions as you can. Challenge yourself to complete 5 sets of push–ups and sit–ups, and a 5km run. This simple but effective workout builds strength by pushing your muscles to the limits.
5. One Piece Monkey D. Luffy flexibility workout
Image credit: IMDb
This workout is inspired by Monkey D. Luffy’s flexibility and agility in One Piece. He is known for his latent talent and stretchy body, which makes his fighting style unique.
Image adapted from: JaxBlade
This flexibility workout involves a series of stretching exercises to loosen up your muscles. Don’t underestimate this stretching workout – expect to get your heart pumping. Remember to warm up beforehand so as to not injure yourself.
– Advanced Level –
6. Naruto workout
Image credit: IMDb
100 push–ups, 100 squats, 75 sit–ups, 50 pull–ups, 50 lunges and a 5km Naruto run. Throw in 5 sets of 30 seconds of shadow boxing, 30 seconds of burpees, 30 seconds of shadow boxing again and 30 seconds of jump squats. That’s the Naruto workout in a nutshell. This is a cardio–intensive workout that works the whole body, builds strength, and defines muscles.
Try doing this 3 to 5 times a week and you’ll feel much stronger and look leaner. Of course, always remember to warm up and cool down.
7. One Punch Man Saitama workout
Image credit: IMDb
Once you’ve conquered the Naruto workout, move on to the Saitama workout. While it consists of fewer types of workouts, you will be doing more repetitions for each exercise. This workout involves doing 100 push–ups, 100 sit–ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run every single day.
It works most of the muscles in your body – push–ups for the upper body, sit–ups for the core, squats for the lower body, and running works everything. Start at a lower intensity – for example, 50 push–ups, 50 sit–ups, 50 squats, and a 5km run – before increasing the intensity when you reach a plateau. This is so that you don’t overexert yourself.
The best part about this is you don’t even need a gym – get out of the house for a run and enjoy the fresh air outside.
8. Goku workout
Image credit: IMDb
Image adapted from: skullalf
In Dragonball Z, Goku does multiple exercises as part of his training but the intensity and frequency of the exercises is unspecified. Youtuber Teddie, who is also a fan of Goku, developed a workout inspired by the exercises that Goku does in the series.
This workout consists of 4 sets of
- 15 push ups
- 20 straight leg sit ups
- 20 handstand push ups (wall assisted)
- 5 one-handed push ups (each side)
- 20 adjustable bench sit ups
- 20 adjustable bench sit ups with additional weights
As this workout is not as cardio-intensive as the Naruto and Saitama workout, round out your training with running or a cardio routine.
Anime-inspired exercises
Sift through this list of 8 anime-inspired workouts and take your pick. For beginners, all it takes is that first step to get off the couch and get your body moving. It doesn’t have to be anything intense – start slow and listen to your body. For those who have been exercising frequently and regularly, change up your routine with an advanced workout. Most importantly, eat healthy, drink lots of water, and stay active.
Check out these articles for more:
- Japanese sports anime
- Nostalgic anime series
- Japanese dramas adapted from manga
- 90s anime series
- Japanese anime-inspired recipes
Cover images adapted from (from left): IMDb, Ippo Fandom and IMDb
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