Are you stronger than the strongest anime or cartoon character of all time?
Ah, Saturday morning kids TV. Who doesn’t remember obsessing over their favourite cartoon or anime? Maybe those early influences played a part in our love of training as adults.
Have you ever secretly wondered how your strength or endurance would stack up against your favourite animated powerhouses? We’ve profiled 8 characters, along with their signature training move, so you can challenge yourself to see who’s stronger.
Johnny Bravo (Cartoon Network)
Johnny Bravo first swaggered onto our screens in 1997, with his ludicrous muscular physique. Best known for impressive biceps and constant flexing, Johnny's strength is less functional and more aesthetic, but he's often seen lifting heavy objects or breaking through walls (usually by accident).
Take on his training routine: Johnny is frequently shown doing bicep curls, so we guess the Johnny Bravo training session would definitely be an upper body day. How about a big triple dropset to failure, repping out biceps curls as you run the rack? Then flex, obviously…
Challenge yourself to the Johnny Bravo Flex-off
Set a timer for 1 minute and see how many bicep curls you can do. Bonus points for saying "Oh mama!" after each rep. Maybe best if you train at home.
Hercules (Disney)
Disney's version of the Greek demigod Hercules was released in 1997, showcasing a classic zero-to-hero transformation guided by satyr trainer Phil. Hercules kind of has a head start on most of us, with godlike strength that makes him capable of wrestling titans and throwing massive objects.
Take on his training routine: Hercules understood the value of getting expert coaching. His intense training transformation included weights, combat skills, and obstacle courses.
Challenge yourself to the Hercules Haul
Load up a sled or prowler and see how far you can pull or push it in 60 seconds. Rest for 2 minutes and go again, trying to beat your time for the distance.
Goku (Dragon Ball Z)
Goku of Dragon Ball Z fame first appeared in the original Dragon Ball manga (1984) and anime series (1986), but we know him best from Dragon Ball Z. Goku is synonymous with superhuman strength and self-improvement, and his power seems to know no limits – he can destroy planets.
Take on his training routine: Goku's training is varied and intense but he’s often shown using weighted clothing and practicing martial arts.
Try the Goku Gravity Challenge
Add weight to bodyweight and running workout by wearing a weighted vest for extra physical and mental challenge.
Popeye (comic strip)
Popeye the Sailor Man has been showcasing his spinach-fuelled strength since 1929. We never actually saw him training, but he did a lot of heavy lifting (usually larger opponents or crazy objects). And he apparently did it all on a diet of leafy greens...
Take on his training routine: here’s your opportunity to add some greenery into your diet this week – it worked for Popeye!
Challenge yourself to Popeye Pull-Ups
Popeye wouldn’t have had access to any gym equipment in his sailing career, so we reckon he did a lot of bodyweight exercises using the ship’s rigging. Spend a week doing max reps pull ups and see how your biceps are looking.
Larry the Lobster (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Larry the Lobster - the buff crustacean from Bikini Bottom - first appeared in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Ripped Pants" in 1999. Larry loves training, and is often shown lifting weights at Goo Lagoon beach and showing off his gains.
Take on his training routine: Larry is a classic gym enthusiast whose workout routines involve free weights and fixed gym machines. But he’s also into beach volleyball, so there’s your challenge. Can you try a new team sport this week?
Challenge yourself to the Larry Lift
Head to the beach (or your local park if that’s easier) and create a circuit with sprints, push ups, air squats…and some volleyball if it’s available.
Princess Mononoke (Studio Ghibli animated film)
Princess Mononoke is a 1997 animated film from Studio Ghibli. Princess Mononoke, also known as San, is a fierce warrior who was raised by wolves in medieval Japan. She has incredible agility, endurance, and combat skills.
Take on her training routine: San's strength comes from her wild upbringing and regular battles to protect her environment. Train like San by tapping into your body’s natural movements every day via bodyweight exercises and calisthenics.
Challenge yourself with the Mononoke Forest Run
Head to a local trail (ideally in a forest) and challenge yourself to a nature run, taking on any obstacles in your path. Focus on maintaining a steady pace and using your agility.
Luisa Madrigal (Encanto)
Luisa, the super-strong sister from Disney's 2021 film Encanto, is a fan favourite for her combination of physical strength and emotional depth. Strength is Luisa's gift, and it allows her to easily carry enormous weights, from buildings to bridges, often when others cannot.
Take on her training routine: Encanto shows Luisa on a treadmill and holding dumbbells, but most of her strength seems to be functional (lifting things in real-life situations). Maintain your own strength by lifting things outside of the gym, too.
Lift the Luisa Load
Take on a strongman-style challenge to match Luisa’s strength profile. Use sandbags, med balls, or farmers handles to set up a circuit of weighted carries, loaded holds, and odd-object lifts.
Saitama (One Punch Man)
Saitama, the protagonist of the One Punch Man anime, first appeared in 2009. He can defeat any opponent with a single punch, and all that power comes from his gruelling routine of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run. Every single day.
Take on the One Punch Challenge
Try Saitama's workout of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run. Partition the bodyweight movements as you like, but keep the 10km run whole.
Who have we missed? Who was your favourite fit or strong animated character as a kid? We’d love to hear from you – get in touch via our socials.
