how to train like a jedi

It’s time to start training like a Jedi!

We love Star Wars around these parts (our site is literally called “Nerd Fitness”), so you’re in the perfect place to begin your training, my young Padawan.

We specialize in creating nerdy-themed workouts and today one of our coaches will walk you through an exercise routine that would make even Mace Windu proud.

Here’s what we’ll cover in today’s guide:

Grab your lightsaber and let’s punch it!

The Star Wars Workout

Workout Summary: This workout includes a number of explosive movements meant to fire up your nervous system, build explosive muscles, and get your body to start thinking “POWER!”.

It also includes some static holds, whole-body movements, and even grip strength moves.

THE STAR WARS WORKOUT:

(Coach Jim filmed this during the pandemic, which not only explains why he shot it in a hallway, but also why he looks a little “scruffy looking.”)

Time: 30-45 minutes

Equipment needed:

If you’re having trouble finding any of the above items, we walk you through some clever replacements in How to Build a Home Gym (When Everything is Sold Out).

ALWAYS: Start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down stretch.

Here’s another warm-up sequence you can run through:

Here’s another cool-down routine you can try:

Part 1: SkyWalker Handstands

Here’s the first part of your Jedi Workout:

Padawan: 3 sets of 30-second knee or feet front plank
Knight: 3 sets of 30-second push-up position taps or pike shoulder taps
Master: 3 sets of 30-second wall walks

If you’re gonna do Jedi training, someone is going to make you do a handstand:

Here are some variations to consider:

For Padawans, your knee planks will look something like this:

Shoulder taps are like so:

A wall-walk, would look something like this:

If you can do one-arm handstands like Luke, go ahead and do those here. Then use your Force-telepathy to tell us how it goes.

If you want to become a handstand master, we have a full course found in Nerd Fitness Prime that would make Yoda stoked.

Part 2: Jedi High Jumps

Here’s the second act of your Jedi Workout:

Padawan: 3 sets of 10 assisted squats or squats
Knight: 3 sets of 10 jump squats
Master: 3 sets of 10 box jumps (STEPPING DOWN AFTER JUMP!) or tuck jumps (bringing the knees up)

Young Obi-Wan needed to use his Jedi high jump skills to return to the proper level to meet up with Qui-Gonn Jinn and Darth Maul.

We want you to do the same.

Here are your Jedi jump variations:

You could do squats or assisted squats:

All too easy? Go for jump squats!

True Jedi Masters will be doing tuck jumps or box jumps:

Rest: 1-2 minutes in between sets. Keep things safe – rest during the 30 second work period as needed.

Part 3: Jabba the HutT Chokes

For the third installment of the Jedi Workout, you’ll be doing:

Padawan: 3 sets of 10 doorway rows

Knight: 3 sets of 10 towel doorway rows or band-assisted chin-ups

Master: 3 sets of 5-10 chin-ups

Is there anything more satisfying than watching Leia take out Jabba the Hutt? I know I let out a cheer when I first saw the scene:

Leia is strong, and you need to be strong too.

Work on your pull muscles by completing one of these “end Jabba” variations:

You can do rows from a doorway:

You can do towel doorway rows or band-assisted chin-ups:

You’re training is complete when you can do normal chin-ups or pull-ups:

Rest: 1-2 minutes in between sets. Keep things safe – rest during the 30-second work period, as needed.

Part 4: Chewbacca carries

The Jedi Workout for episode IV will be:

Padawan: Farmer-carry (Farmer’s Walk) dumbbells – 2 x 60 seconds
Jedi: Rack carry – 2 x 60 seconds
Master: Rack carry with some lunges – 2 x 60 seconds

Chewy is strong. Freakishly strong. He has no problem carrying robots, people, ripping people’s arms off, and more:

We want you to channel your inner Chewbacca by working on carrying heavier weight! Feel free to try any of the variations:

Farmer’s walks can be done with dumbbells or some impromptu weights:

Walk or stand for 60 total seconds with weights at your side.

Rack carry:

Walk or stand for 60 total seconds with weights at shoulder height.

The Jedi Master Variation: Rack carry with some lunges – 2 x 60 seconds –

Walk or stand for 60 total seconds with weights at shoulder height. Master-level if you’re able to knock out 10 total lunges (5/side) during that time).

The goal with Chewbacca Carries is to pick up the heaviest weight (or luggage) you can manage and then carry it around your house for the set amount of time. This builds up bone density, tendon strength, and muscular strength, and fires up your body’s central nervous system.

Rest: Again, slow down 1-2 minutes in between sets. Keep things safe.

Part 5: Han Solo Shuttle runs

I love Han.

He shoots first (literally) and asks questions later.

He also runs into situations where he might not have the upper hand.

This round of your Jedi Workout looks like:

Padawan: March in place for 3 minutes of intervals (6 sets of 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off)
Knight: High knees in place for 3 minutes of intervals (6 sets of 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off)
Master: Alternating sets of high knees and burpees for 3 minutes of intervals (6 sets of 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off)

A Tabata Timer might be helpful in setting your intervals here.

We’re having you mostly run in place because you’re probably trapped inside your house (or escape pod). If you have a big backyard, feel free to use it.

For our Padawans out there, you’ll march in place:

When you reach Knight status, do some high-knees:

For the Jedi Masters out there? You’ll mix in some burpees with your high-knees:

For this last variation, do alternating sets of high knees and burpees for 3 minutes of intervals:

20 seconds of high-knees
10 seconds of rest
20 seconds of burpees
10 seconds of rest
Repeat for three minutes

Email me if you make the run under 12 parsecs.^[1]

Part 6: Force Push-Ups

Part 6 of your Jedi Workout looks like:

Padawan: 4 sets of 8 elevated or knee push-ups
Knight: 4 sets of 8 push-ups or dive-bomber push-ups
Master: 4 sets of 8 pike or handstand push-ups

This is probably my favorite Jedi move. Channel the Force, and use it to violently PUSH things away? Awesome. Where do I sign up?

Now, although we can’t actually Force Push in real life…yet, it doesn’t mean we can’t build up our explosive Force push muscles.

For our Padawans, you’ll do elevated or knee-push-ups:

Our Jedi Knights will do normal push-ups or divebomber push-ups:

Are you now the master? Then you’re doing pike or handstand push-ups:

Again, this can get sketchy if you start doing these last push-up variations while tired. Go ahead and rest whenever you need to.

Part 7: hanging Over the Sarlacc

The last section of the Jedi Workout looks like:

Padawan: Doorway Leans – 2 x 60 seconds
Knight: Bar hang – 2 x 60 seconds
Master: One arm bar hang – 2 x 30 seconds for each arm

Sometimes, Jedi find themselves dealing with a creature that wants to digest them for 1,000 years.

That’s where your hanging skills will come in use!

Our Padawans will start with some simple doorway leans:

You’ll hold onto the edge of a doorway and lean back for 60 seconds of hang time – should feel harder on the grip than doorway rows

If you’re following our “Knight variations,” you’re going to be doing bar hangs:

Not enough? Then train to hang from one arm:

This skill will become useful if you ever lose an upper appendage in a lightsaber duel (it happens to the best of us).

Note: this can be challenging on your joints if you’re not used to hanging, so progress slowly on this one! Start with just a few seconds and work your way up!

May the force be with you (Next Steps)

Here’s a recap!

Complete this workout with regularity, and work your way up to the Jedi Master levels for each.

As I discuss in our guide, How to Build Your Own Workout Routine, I generally recommend newbies complete a full-body workout two to three times a week.

Our Star Wars Workout would be considered “full-body” since we hit every major muscle group. You could also alternate it with a more conventional strength training practice.

On your “rest days,” you can look into doing some active recovery, yoga, or fun movement.

If you can only get yourself to work out once a week, that’s okay! Let that become normal, then we can brainstorm ways to squeeze in an extra day.

Building the habit of working out is our goal today. We can worry about maximizing “gainz” down the road.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about maximizing gainz.

Now the only thing left to do is start!

Here are some options for next steps with Nerd Fitness:

Option #1) If you want a professional coach in your pocket, who can do video form checks, provide feedback, and adjust your workouts based on the equipment you have available, check out our 1-on-1 Online Coaching Program!

For example, let’s say you find yourself stuck indoors, and you want somebody to custom-build you a workout program based on the equipment and furniture you have. That’s where an online coach is a game-changer!

Personally, I’ve been working with the same online coach since 2015 and it’s changed my life. You can learn more by clicking on the box below:

Option #2) If you want an exact blueprint for working out at home (while doing nerdy-themed workouts!), check out NF Journey. Our fun habit-building app helps you exercise more frequently, eat healthier, and level up your life (literally).

Try your free trial right here:

Option #3) Become part of the Rebellion! We need good people like you in our community, the Nerd Fitness Rebellion (the real name).

Sign up in the box below to enlist and get our Rebel Starter Kit, which includes all of our “work out from home” guides.

Alright, I want to hear from you and your experience:

Did you try the Star Wars Workout?

What level are you on?

Any exercises that we missed that would be perfect for a Jedi?

Let me know in the comments!

May the Force be with you.

-Steve

PS: If you’re looking for more nerdy-themed workouts that can be done at anywhere, check out The 8 Best At-Home Workout Routines.

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photo source: Leg0fenris: Dagobah, JD Hancock: Yoda Jump, JD Hancock: Han Solo vs Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett & the Sarlacc Pit, Teymur Madjderey, Darth Vader Force, JD Hancock: Han Solo, Pedro Vezini: Chewbacca, metaphorge: Jabba, Leg0fenris: Darth and Leia, Pedro Vezini: Yoda and Luke

gif source: walk in place,

Steve Kamb

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The Star Wars Workout (Train Like a Jedi!) | Nerd Fitness