The Animal Batista's Workout Routine

Before he was a WWE Superstar, Batista was a bodybuilder.  This allowed him to become The Animal that he is today.  Batista's workout incorporates bodybuilding principles designed to gain muscle mass.  At 6'6" and 290lbs, it's probably worth your time to see what he does to get so jacked.

The Animal has trained intensely for decades.  However, since he joined the WWE, his philosophy has changed a bit.  At one time, Batista trained entirely for size, weighing in at 370lbs.  He is now a leaner and more athletic 270lbs.  If you've ever seen him move around the ring, you know how athletic he can be.

Batista faces challenges in working out.  Since he travels with WWE much of the year, he needs to work out at local gyms.  However, even if he can't find a place to workout, he always gets in solid training through wrestling.

Wrestling provides Batista with an excellent workout.  It's forced him to adapt his weight training approach though.  He doesn't lift as much as he used to for fear of injury and overtraining.  He no longer performs squats at all since he gets plenty of leg work in by giving his opponents the Batista Bomb.

The Animal workout routine is a 3 day split that incorporates 2-4 sets of 10-15 reps per exercise. This type of workout helps The Animal increase the size of his muscles. Details of Batista workout routine are listed below.

Day 1: Calves, Thighs

Day 2: Back, Shoulders

Day 3: Chest, Arms

Calf Raises
Standing: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Seated: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps

Leg Curls
Lying: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Standing: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

Thighs
Leg Extensions: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Hack Squats: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Leg Presses: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

Pulldowns
Front: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Rear: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

Shoulders
Seated Cable Rows: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Lateral Raises: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Behind the Neck Presses: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Bent Laterals: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Dumbbell Shrugs: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps

Chest
Hammer Strength Incline Machine: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Dumbbell Bench Presses: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Cable Crossovers: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

Arms
Alternate Dumbbell Curls: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Preacher Curls: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Single-Arm Reverse Pushdowns: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Seated Machine French Curls: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

Forearms
Hammer Strength Forearm Machine: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
Wrist Curls: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Reverse Wrist Curls: 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps

Abs
Twisting Hanging Leg Raises: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
Machine Crunches: 3 sets of 15-20 reps

The Animal does not perform a lot of cardio outside of wrestling.  He'll jump on the elliptical for 20 minutes of fat burning at the end of a workout, but that's it.  All the running and physical work around the ring prevent him from needing much more cardio.

The Animal's eats a high protein, low fat diet.  He is not concerned with calories or carbohydrates.  In fact, he doesn't really eat bread and pasta.  He prefers natural carbohydrates such as potatoes.  He will load up on some carbohydrates if his muscles are feeling flat.