Russian boxer Artem Puzin brings Rocky Balboa’s legendary training montage into the modern gym, earning a seal of approval from Sylvester Stallone himself.
Nearly 40 years after Rocky IV hit theaters, the legendary training montage is still inspiring athletes to push themselves to the limit. Russian boxer and content creator Artem Puzin recently recreated Rocky Balboa’s iconic workout, trading the frozen Soviet wilderness for modern gym equipment. And while there was no snow, no chopping wood, no shouting Drago’s name from a mountaintop, and still no comics for Paulie, Puzin earned something almost as satisfying: a like from Sylvester Stallone himself.
Puzin, who goes by “Puzin the Motivator” on social media, recreated the exercises that helped Rocky prepare for his showdown with Ivan Drago in the 1985 classic. The original montage – powered by the unforgettable soundtrack, including “War” by Vince DiCola and John Cafferty’s “Hearts on Fire” – tracks that are still blasting through headphones in gyms around the world.
After Stallone liked his Instagram Reel, Puzin celebrated the recognition.
“This is a sign for me to not just copy the workout and put it on the internet,” Puzin said. “Hard work and discipline … is seen by legends, so I’m sure everything I do is worth it.”
Artem Puzin’s ‘Rocky IV’ Training Montage Workout
Fortunately, you don’t need a cabin in Siberia, a horse-drawn cart, or Paulie whining in the background to attempt this workout.
Puzin recreated the following exercises:
- Pull-Ups: 4 sets of 12 reps
- Barbell Walking Lunges: 4 sets of 20 reps
- Jump Rope: 3 sets of 3 minutes
- Rope Rotations Into Triceps Extensions: 4 sets of 12 reps
- Incline Straight-Leg Hip Raises: 4 sets of 12 reps
- Slip Rope: 3 sets of 3 minutes
- Barbell Twists: 4 sets of 30 reps
- Overhead Press: 4 sets of 10 reps
Rocky Balboa’s Old-School Training Meets the Modern Gym
One of the most memorable aspects of Rocky IV was the contrast between Balboa and Drago’s training methods.
While Drago relied on state-of-the-art Soviet technology, Rocky embraced an old-school approach that included chopping wood, lifting rocks, running through waist-deep snow, and hauling a cart filled with his friends.
Puzin adapted those movements for a traditional gym, using barbell lunges to develop lower-body strength and cable exercises to recreate Rocky’s rock-hauling routine.
Pull-ups, overhead presses, and barbell twists target the upper body and core, while jumping rope and slip-rope drills bring the boxing conditioning that made the Italian Stallion famous.
Of course, there’s one important difference. Puzin doesn’t have to worry about Drago staring him down and declaring, “I must break you.”
The routine is demanding, and beginners should adjust the sets, reps, and weights to their experience level.
For anyone looking to bring some 1980s movie magic into their next workout, Puzin has provided the blueprint. Now let Ivan Drago provide the motivational quote:
“If he dies, he dies.”
Featured image embed via YouTube @movieclips
