The WWE superstar explains how martial arts training, isometric exercises, and traditional weightlifting helped him prepare for his role as Akuma in Street Fighter.
Roman Reigns has spent years building one of the most recognizable physiques in professional wrestling. Now, the 41-year-old WWE superstar is bringing his impressive size and athleticism to Hollywood with his role as Akuma in Street Fighter.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing approximately 261 pounds, Reigns already had the muscular foundation needed to portray one of the most powerful characters in the popular video game franchise. However, preparing for Street Fighter required more than simply lifting weights and building muscle.
In a recent interview with Men’s Health, Reigns explained how he incorporated martial arts movements, isometric exercises, and extensive footwork into his training to develop the physical control needed to bring Akuma to life.
Roman Reigns Explains How He Trained for Street Fighter
Unlike actors who undergo dramatic physical transformations for superhero or action roles, Roman Reigns did not need to add significant muscle for Street Fighter.
Akuma is known for his massive, bodybuilder-like physique, making Reigns a natural fit for the character.
“I got lucky because Akuma’s physique is very bodybuilder-esque. He’s a big guy, so he’s naturally very muscular. That allowed me to stick fairly closely to my usual routine.”
However, the martial arts demands of Street Fighter presented an entirely different challenge.
Reigns had to learn how to maintain difficult fighting stances, execute specific arm movements, and transition between positions while maintaining balance and control.
“There’s so much isometric work involved. It demands incredible body control, almost like ballet. And the footwork was extensive.”
The training included holding sumo squat positions, springing onto his toes, and performing precise martial arts poses.
These movements required Reigns to develop muscular endurance, stability, and coordination rather than simply increasing his strength.
His experience in WWE helped with the transition, but Reigns acknowledged that martial arts required a different level of physical discipline.
Roman Reigns’ Street Fighter Workout and Training Exercises
Reigns’ preparation for Street Fighter combined his traditional bodybuilding-style workouts with movements designed to improve martial arts performance.
Street Fighter Martial Arts Training:
- Sumo squat holds
- Isometric exercises and static holds
- Explosive transitions onto the toes
- Martial arts arm positions and fighting poses
- Extensive footwork drills
- Balance and body-control training
Traditional Weight Training:
- Dumbbell bench presses
- Dumbbell biceps curls
- High-repetition resistance training
- Mobility drills and warmups
- Hypertrophy-focused weightlifting
During a workout observed by Men’s Health at the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice facility in Henderson, Nevada, Reigns began with mobility work before moving into high-repetition sets of dumbbell bench presses and curls.
He did not use dumbbells heavier than 70 pounds during that particular session.
That approach represents a change from his younger years, when he relied heavily on explosive Olympic lifts and intense strength training while playing defensive line at Georgia Tech.
Now, Reigns prioritizes maintaining muscle while ensuring his body can handle the physical demands of professional wrestling and action movies.
Roman Reigns Says Street Fighter Training Is About More Than Building Muscle
One of the biggest lessons Reigns emphasized from preparing for Street Fighter was the importance of combining muscular size with athletic performance.
Although his physique is central to his WWE persona, Reigns believes that impressive muscles mean little if an athlete cannot move convincingly.
“You want to look like you can save the world. There’s a fine balance. You want to look the part, but if the movement, physicality and athleticism aren’t there, people stop believing it.”
For Reigns, this philosophy applies equally to professional wrestling and Hollywood.
He believes an athlete must develop strength, mobility, coordination, and endurance to become truly well-rounded.
That approach has become increasingly important as he gets older.
Rather than constantly attempting to lift heavier weights, Reigns pays attention to how his body responds to training. He recalled dealing with significant elbow pain that affected his workouts and forced him to adjust his intensity.
He also places considerable importance on sleep and recovery, using a Whoop fitness tracker to monitor consistency and changes in his body’s response to training.
Roman Reigns Continues Building Muscle at 41
Despite spending more than a decade at the top of WWE, the original “Tribal Chief” has no plans to abandon the bodybuilding principles that helped create his imposing physique.
He explained that he shares a similar training philosophy with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, particularly when it comes to chasing a muscle pump and stimulating hypertrophy.
However, maintaining his physique requires discipline outside the gym as well.
Reigns admitted that his diet can be one of his biggest challenges, especially when his training routine or motivation slips.
“When I’m locked in and I’m dialled, that’s everything,” he said.
At 41, Reigns believes he may actually be in the best physical condition of his career.
His preparation for Street Fighter demonstrates how his approach has evolved from chasing maximum strength during his football career to combining muscle development with mobility, endurance, and precise movement.
As Reigns continues his transition into Hollywood, his training philosophy remains straightforward: build a physique that looks powerful, but make sure it can perform just as impressively.
Image embed via Instagram @streetfightermovie
