August 6, 2007
Legendary Surfer Laird Hamilton's Workout Routine
Laird Hamilton quite possibly has the perfect physique…and is truly an amazing role model when it comes to fitness. He is in better shape than just about anyone on the planet and he gets there largely by leaving the gym and cross-training.
I have emphasized in my post, Athletes Have More Attractive Bodies Than Gym Rats, that you can't get in peak condition just by working out in a gym…Laird is a living example of this. Laird also trains with weights, but his low body fat percentage comes largely because of how active he is outside of the gym. I saw a clip where he ran down the beach with a rope tied around his waist and a log tied to the other…the guy was dragging a 50 pound log down the beach!
Laird is probably the greatest surfer that has ever lived, but he refuses to compete in surfing contests. Hamilton was the guy who back in 1993, pioneered a new way of surfing…getting towed into the wave by a Jet Ski. You see…when a wave reaches 30-40+ feet, it moves too fast to catch by paddling!
Here is a video of Laird catching 40-50+ foot waves…totally insane!
So What Does Laird's Typical Workout Week Look Like?
Monday: Circuit training with weights. He works the entire body in about 1.5 to 2 hours. He chooses 20 different exercises and does enough sets per exercise to get 105 reps (this is a rough workout, by the way).
Tuesday: Rides a mountain bike for 2 hours, followed by "sand training" (lunges, push-ups, log pull, sand dune sprints), and ends with "water activity" (surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, etc.)
Wednesday: Circuit training…followed by a "short" bike ride of 1.5 hours.
Thursday: Bike (mountain or road for 2.5 hours), sand training(lunges, push-ups, log pull, sand dune sprints), and water activity (surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, etc.)
Friday: Circuit training…followed by a "short" bike ride of 1.5 hours.
Saturday:Rest (surf if the waves are breaking nicely)
Sunday: Bike (mountain or road for 2.5 hours), sand training(lunges, push-ups, log pull, sand dune sprints), and water activity (surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, etc.)
One More Amazing Video…Laird Pretty Much Catches a Tsunami Here! (turn up your speakers…this video will give you chills)
Wow…this guy is seriously active…and 10 times more studly than any bulky bodybuilder! Laird shows that in order to get in peak condition, you have to work the body in a number of different ways. I'm inspired to "think outside of the box" and change up my routine a bit. The main thing I've learned by looking at Laird's workout routine, is to incorporate doing activities you enjoy into your workout(mountain biking, surfing, running on the beach, etc.)
If Laird Hamilton's workout routine doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will!
Now go outside and burn some calories!
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Comments
August 8, 2007
David said:
That's not Laird in the second video. Its Mike Bradshaw from the Billabong Odyssey movie.
admin said:
David,
My bad! They had is listed under Laird Hamilton on Youtube. I still have to keep it up there…that is the coolest video footage of a massive wave that I have ever seen!
Rusty
August 11, 2007
Peter Crump said:
That's unbelievable, you wouldn't get me out there for all the money in the world.
August 13, 2007
admin said:
Yeah…this one just makes me nervous when I watch the video. I agree with you!
Rusty
August 17, 2007
David said:
Yeah, definitely a good video. Its the Cortez Banks about 100 miles west of San Diego, which is an underwater mountain range. Supposedly, in perfect conditions, it can support a 1000 foot wave. That one is about 70 feet.
admin said:
WOW! It sounds like Cortez Banks could have the largest waves in the world. These guys are nuts, but I love watching thins stuff. I wonder what the world record for the largest wave ever surfed would be…100+ feet? I'm off to Google!
September 13, 2007
Jon said:
I think that is Laird in the Second Video. If you watch All aboard the crazy train he talks/shows about a wipe out that looks like that. He is covered in white wash then spit out and consumed again. Check out the movie it's great!
November 10, 2007
nelly said:
When you say Laird does 20 different exercises when he cross trains with weights does that mean he performs 1 set for each part per cycle or several sets for each part per cycle..e.g. 1 set of flat bench per cycle or 3 sets of flat bench per cycle than 3 sets of declines etc. Also, when he cross trains on wed and fri does he use weights or just smith machine. Thanks for your help my man!!!!
February 7, 2008
Brad said:
Hey guys, this guy is crazy. His workout routine is amazing. I also have read several times that Laird eats 3 healthy meals per day. Just one more reason to switch over to 3 meals rather then 6!
March 2, 2008
mitch said:
all you can say is amazing really
June 2, 2008
chuck said:
Hey everyone, the second video is big wave surfer Mike Parsons
surfing a 66 ft wave at the cortes banks. (not MIke Bradshaw)
However, there is a Ken Bradshaw who has claimed to have ridden the biggest wave(85ft wave on jan 28th,1998 Outside Log Cabins) an outer reef north shore hawaii
admin said:
chuck,
That second video is probably one of the coolest videos on Youtube. It gives me chills every time! Amazing stuff…these guys are brave!
Rusty
February 19, 2009
scott said:
Just FYI: It's actually not Laird or "Mike Bradshaw" (no such surfer). It is actually Mike Parsons surfing at JAWS off Maui. Being towed in by Brad Gerlach.
But thanks for posting Laird's workout routine. Also if you like Laird, check out the article on Laird's trainer, 75 year old Don Wildman in Esquire Magazine.
scott said:
… or maybe it's Cortez Bank. Can't remember…
April 17, 2009
Matt said:
That wave is definately not jaws. Doesn't look anything like Peahi
April 19, 2009
steve davis surf shots said:
opening footage "billabong odessey", cortez bank, mike parsons towed in by brad gerlach
May 16, 2009
martin said:
the wave definately is jaws-its mike parsons in world tow surf championship at jaws-there is now way anyone would ride cortes bank in boardies-the water is 10 degrees! mike parsons briefly held the record for biggest wave ever surfed on a 66 footer at cortes bank-but this clip is not that wave
June 29, 2009
Jon Ham said:
Laird also does stand up paddle surfing nearly every day before he lifts or rides bikes. I've seen him out in Malibu and he truly is larger than life.
August 24, 2009
ben said:
i wouldnt say laird hamilton is the greatest surfer to ever live. that title is yet to be decided between kelly slater, andy irons and the wct boys. laird is probably the greatest big wave surfer in the world.
September 4, 2009
JD said:
Umm whens the last time you saw someone ride cortes banks without a wetsuit? Its JAWS!!! Maui rules and so does Laird cause while all else are hanging on for dear life he is ripping
October 26, 2009
david said:
It's actually Mike Parsons surfing a 66' wave at the Cortes Bank in 2001, but he topped that in 2008 by surfing a 70 footer, again at the Cortes Bank. He claims in an interview, which you can see on youtube, that others caught 70'+ waves the same day in 2001, but they weren't documented on film like his was.
February 19, 2010
bob said:
I'd like see Laird do some wakeboarding behind a boat. He'd probably be good at it and be fun to see him crash.
March 1, 2010
james nunamacher said:
that is not Bradshaw niether, it is Mike Parson and the tow in which he scored a 10 on right after being smashed on his prior run….either way it is a sick vid, A sick Wave, and a sick ride!!!! Cheers
james nunamacher said:
oh right on Dave, A 70 footer? Thats insane I couldnt even imagine!!!
james nunamacher said:
it is Jaws!!!! Cortes Bank would be way too cold to be in w/o a wetsuit.
October 24, 2010
Rich said:
Jaws, Maui brah. Thats the opener from the Billabong Odyssey video.
November 4, 2010
Tanya - Rochester Exercise Equipment said:
Awesome videos! Wow, this guy certainly is in good shape – that workout regimen is insane!!
January 8, 2011
Hemmingway sizzler binge said:
I thought this video was shot at jaws
April 4, 2011
Trent said:
The surfer in the second video is Mike Parsons (yes, that's the wave from Billabong Odyssey) wave at Jaws on Maui. Ken Bradshaw caught a different, yet equally massive (just not as thick) wave at outer Log Cabins on the North Shore.
Trent said:
Sorry guys, didn't see all the comments before I submitted mine. You guys already clarified everything. Cheers!
July 31, 2011
Hayden Rhodes said:
Laird and Mike Parsons are both true water man legends and these videos show that. Lairds training for these situations seems pretty intense and long in duration for the average surfer or Pro Tour surfer, however for what he does and who he is – it obviously serves him well.
August 3, 2011
Aaron said:
Sorry, but this isn't a practical solution to normal people with jobs.
August 22, 2011
Simon Wheeler said:
When you live near a surf beach, you can relate to what it means to see 40-50 foot waves. I agree this is insane!
September 6, 2011
Bill Davidson said:
i love laird, he is an incredible waterman. but Kelly Slater is the greatest surfer of all time!!!!