Whatever people say about pro wrestling, no one can deny that its stars work hard.
Just look at Adam Copeland (or, as you’re more likely to know him, WWE Superstar Edge). The 47-year-old champion, one of the winningest pro wrestlers in the history of the promotion, was forced to retire back in 2011 due to neck injuries. He was inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012—a point where many would be content to rest on their laurels as a bonafide legend.
But hard work brought him back. Inspired by his kids, Copeland says he ramped up his fitness regimen and built his home gym. “I realized that if I want to be around to see them get married and hopefully see my grandkids, then I need to change some things,” he says. He tweaked his diet, lifted hard in his gym, and then, “everything else started to happen. Suddenly a found myself back as Edge,” he says.
Now, after retuning to the ring for 2020’s Royal Rumble (and winning it this year in 2021), he’s back as a headliner. Edge will face Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan in a Triple Threat Match for the Universal Title on Night 2 of WrestleMania. WrestleMania will stream live on Peacock Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Copeland opened up his home gym in Ashland, North Carolina to the MH crew to share a core and shoulder workout in the run-up to WrestleMania. “Training is obviously important for the job of a professional wrestler,” he says. “Aesthetically, but also in terms of preparation for the abuse you’re going to take because it’s not an easy job. We’re our own stunt men and women, there’s no pads, there’s no cut—we’re live, we’re in the round, and we’ve got to be able to get up once we fall.” Shoulder work is an especially important focus for him, as he includes neck exercises to help to protect himself from further injury after recovering from two surgeries.
But just because function is the major focus, that doesn’t mean he isn’t also prepping for the bright ring lights.
“We have to go out there in tights,” Copeland says. “So we need to look the part as well. I’m always keeping that in terms of what are the three things I’m trying to accomplish: Stability, strength, appearance.”
Edge’s Wrestlemania Prep Shoulder Workout
Neck Exercises
Core Exercises
Plank Series
Shoulder Workout
Perform each exercise for 4 sets of 12, 10, 10, 8 reps (dropset with lighter weight for 20 to 25 reps to close). After each set, jump to treadmill for 30 seconds.
Want more celebrity workout routines? Check out all of our Train Like videos.
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