If he was around today, Bruce Lee would’ve turned 85 on Nov. 27.
If you were like me, going to high school in Belleville in the 1970s, you and your pals probably attended the Friday night doubleheaders at the old Park Theatre downtown on a somewhat regular basis. More likely than not, there would be a martial arts flick and there was no bigger star than Bruce Lee.
If you didn’t absolutely love Enter The Dragon then you didn’t know your martial arts films. And Lee was the best. Ever.
Not only was Lee a martial arts master, but he also trained like a maniac. He possessed practically zero bodyfat, thanks to a daily regimen that would leave most modern day cross-fitters with their tongues hanging out.
In an interview several years ago, Chuck Norris, who befriended Lee on his way to becoming the most famous U.S.-born martial arts movie star ever, said nobody — but nobody — trained like Lee.
“Fanatically,” was the word Norris used to describe Lee’s daily approach to physical conditioning.
“He lived and breathed it, from the time he got up each day at 6 a.m. until he went to bed at night,” said Norris.
Lee started most days with a 10-kilometre run, followed by numerous repetitions of pushups, pull-ups and sit-ups. He also trained with weights, jumped rope and cycled. All of that, plus the countless hours he already spent in the dojo perfecting his martial arts moves.
It has been recorded numerous times that Lee could rip off 1,500 regular pushups before switching to the one-handed variety for another 200 or so. He could chin himself 50 times with one arm.
You got a six-pack? Lee had an eight-pack.
Lee’s death in 1973 shocked the world of martial arts and the entertainment industry. He was only 32.
The official cause of death was determined to be brain edema, but controversy has surrounded Lee’s untimely demise to this day.
His legacy, too, is felt to this day. He remains the most famous martial arts movie star of all-time. Lee’s work on the big screen spawned a film genre that captured worldwide attention and remains equally popular today with a whole new generation of viewers.
His unforgettable Enter The Dragon is considered to be the greatest martial arts film ever produced, hitting theatres across North America in 1973 and earning more than $400 million on its way to becoming an instant cult classic.
Had he lived to a ripe old age, it’s a good bet Bruce Lee would still be making regular visits to the gym. Maybe not for 1,500 push-ups, but who knows?
As Norris said: “Fanatically.”
NEED TO KNOW: Bruce Lee workouts can be still be found on many fitness websites. Among his most famous students was NBA Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
