Legendary filmmaker Sylvester Stallone boasted one of the best builds of any actor in Hollywood when he donned the role of boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky film franchise. His passion for fitness carried into his later years despite the health challenges. In a recent post made on Instagram, Stallone cautioned others against strenuous movements and working out too hard with a reference to martial arts icon Bruce Lee.
Sylvester Stallone started his career as an actor with side roles in films. It wasn’t until 1976 that he got to play the lead role in the first film of the cult classic Rocky series, which he also wrote the screenplay for. He pulled off an impressive body transformation to bring the boxing star to life. His portrayal received widespread acclaim and boosted his celebrity to new heights.
Besides the sports film franchise, Stallone established himself as one of the premier action heroes of the 1970s and 80s. He delivered several blockbuster projects, including the 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 Mar. 2020, Schwarzenegger opened up on the evolution of his relationship with Stallone over the years as the two buried the hatchet and became friends.
Stallone took a trip down memory lane recalling his leanest look on the silver screen of all time in Mar. 2021. Although he presented a ripped package across the board, he revealed he weighed 166 pounds at under 3 percent body fat as 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.
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!
Sylvester Stallone shared an inspiring message on never giving up on your dreams last April. He reflected on his decorated career by revisiting the place where his ambitions began to grow. Then, he delivered another motivational piece on staying strong despite the setbacks and obstacles along the way.
His latest offering might come as an unexpected one but it could help add clarity for those in a similar situation.