Legendary director Sylvester Stallone boasted one of the best physiques among Hollywood actors when he played boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky movie franchise. His passion for fitness continued into his later years despite health problems. In a recent post made on Instagram, Stallone warned others against strenuous movements and training too hard, in reference to martial arts icon Bruce Lee.
Sylvester Stallone began his acting career with minor roles in films. It wasn’t until 1976 that he got to star in the first film of the cult classic Rocky, for which he also wrote the screenplay. He did an impressive body transformation to bring the boxing star to life. His portrayal was widely acclaimed and took his celebrity to new heights.
Outside of the sports film franchise, Stallone established himself as one of the main action characters of the 1970s and 80s. He directed several blockbusters, including First Blood and other Rambo films. He developed a competitive rivalry with bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger based on the similarities between the two action stars. In March 2020, Schwarzenegger spoke about the evolution of his relationship with Stallone over the years as they dug in the hatchet and became friends.
Stallone took a trip down memory lane, remembering his thinnest look on the silver screen in March. 2021. Although he submitted a ripped pack across the board, he showed himself to weigh 166 pounds with less than 3 percent body fat, which is his peak for Rocky III.
In Jun. 2021, Sly came under fire after showing off his insane grip and shoulder strength in a clip online. He lifted 45-lb plates in each hand while getting up to his feet from the knees. However, there was speculation about whether he used fake weights to pull off the stunt. Fitness influencer Scott Herman was convinced Stallone used fake weights considering his over-the-top performance and theorized it was a publicity stunt.
The 76-year-old has kept a high level of personal fitness and maintains an impressive physique that even the younger gym-goers would envy. He showed off his gigantic arm muscle development in a post-workout snap in 2021. He also continues to practice his boxing abilities and sent his fans into a frenzy with a heavy bag training session update.
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Sylvester Stallone references Bruce Lee in his warning against working out too hard
In a recent Instagram post, Sylvester Stallone issued a warning to his fans against pushing themselves too hard in the training room with a reference to Bruce Lee. Lee is widely credited for bringing martial arts to the forefront and pioneering mixed martial arts with his fighting style called Jeet Kune Do. He was renowned for his superhero-like speed and athletic abilities. Stallone combined a photo of Lee and himself performing the dragon flag exercise. He believes the movement contributed to his back pain.
“No wonder my back hurts.! When you WORKOUT remember EVERY exercise has long range consequences. Knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles, wrists, neck if you push too hard, these strenuous movements will come back to haunt you. That’s why I’ve always said getting in really great shape Will kill you!
In April, Sylvester Stallone shared an inspiring message to never give up on your dreams. He reflected on his successful career as he revisited the place where his ambitions had begun to grow. He then presented another motivational article on how to stay strong despite setbacks and obstacles along the way.
His last sentence may come as a surprise, but it may bring clarity to those in a similar situation.