Last updated on October 26th, 2022 at 08:01 am
Liu Kang isn’t our first Mortal Kombat workout.
Actually, we’ve seen four others, and with at this week’s close we’ll be at a solid 6.
The first four we had were as follows: Scorpion, Sonya Blade, Shao Khan and Johnny Cage.
Now with Mortal Kombat 11 being out multiple members of The SHJ Army have requested Liu Kang!
So here we are.
I’m sure we’ll get requests for even more – but finding a friendly spot between comics, anime, and video games is always great for us to have with our character routines.
Liu Kang Stats:
Height: 5’10
Weight: 185 lbs.
Real Name: Liu Kang
Powers: Yes
Liu Kang is taller than I thought he was.
Maybe I was just hoping he’d be closer to my height being that he’s so awesome…
Vegeta were tied Wolverine for the shortest spot among comic characters we’ve seen at 5’3, prior to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles coming in at 5’2, (and Gimli even shorter) – but Damian Wayne (Robin) is only 5’4. Goku isn’t that tall either, though, standing only 5’7, with Miles Morales only an inch above him.
One Punch Man falls in at 5’9 right there with Ryu, Nightwing at 5’10, and then Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Green Arrow coming in around 5’11 and Beast joining them.
Just above them are Aquaman, Red Hood and Punisher standing only an inch or so taller.
We’ve had Superman and Eddie Brock’s Venom at 6’3, and Captain America, Scorpion and Batman at 6’2, and Carnage at 6’1. Thor and Cyborg are towering over them at 6’6, Thanos and King right there with them at 6’7, Bane at 6’8, and Deathstroke right below at 6’5, and Black Manta at 6’4.
And, of course, Hulk and Broly are both up there with them, and sometimes even portrayed much taller.
Yeah, that means All Might was the tallest at 7’2, only sometimes surpassed by The Hulk – and Zangief just missing the tallest spot at 7’0!
And I say “was” because Ronan and Sagat are 7’5, and Doomsday came in at 8’10, and I doubt any characters are touching that anytime soon.
But, don’t worry if you’re not the same height or weight range.
We write these routines to be utilized by anyone and everyone.
Take The SHJ Program Quiz and find the perfect program for YOU.
Liu Kang Diet and Nutrition
**Keep in mind: this section will be nearly identical for each hero, unless I mentioned differently (for example someone like Hellboy may get something specifically different)**
Every hero needs to still have a good diet.
Unfortunately we can train like them, but I don’t think any of us are suddenly getting their powers, or the ability to magically stop caring about nutrition.
You can’t out train your diet, so I want to still give some pillars for nutrition.
You can start by checking out The Nutrition Pillars on the site, but I’ll break down some more information for you guys as well.
Guys like Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart incorporate 80/20 dieting with big weekly cheat meals, Hugh Jackman, Tom Hopper, Benedict Cumberbatch and Terry Crews utilize intermittent fasting (something I use daily as well), Ariana Grande, Mustafa Shakir and Madelaine Petsch are vegans, Brandon Routh and Frank Grillo opt for paleo, and tons of others utilize their own variations as well.
It’s all about sustainability.
AND, there are a thousand different ways to reach your goals, so finding the most sustainable way is what’s important.
Which is why our Academy utilizes multiple different Nutrition Classes (Greek Gods, Vikings, Spartans, Hunter Gatherers, Monks, Samurais, Minimalists, SuperHumans) to allow people to choose what is right for YOU!
Take The Free Workout Placement Quiz and find the best free workout for you.
Liu Kang Workout Routine Research
We’ve made it to “the fun part”.
And, if you don’t know by now, I say that every single time we get to the workout routine research section for character workouts.
This is where I get to break down the “how” and “why” of the workout we’re going to build based on the characters, in this case Liu Kang’s, powers and/or abilities.
His Wiki Fandom gives his a short bio as such:
Liu Kang is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He is one of the few original characters, debuting in the first Mortal Kombat arcade game. He serves as the protagonist of the first four games, the live-action films and the original comic book series. He became the Grand Champion of Mortal Kombat throughout the first four tournaments, a title that remained undisputed in the original timeline.
And his ComicVine tells us this:
Liu Kang has been shown to be one of the most powerful characters in the entire Mortal Kombat series. He possesses an incredible level of acrobatics, agility, strength and martial arts. His signature flying kicks were taught to him by Bo’Rai Cho. Liu Kang possesses the ability to control fire. He is able to shoot them out as fireballs and use them as part of his finishers. He also has the ability to shapeshift into a Chinese dragon.
“One of the most powerful characters in the entire Mortal Kombat series.”
I had to reiterate so that you know what we’re dealing with here.
They continue by listing an incredible amount of powers and abilities:
- Adaptive
- Agility
- Blast Power
- Danger Sense
- Escape Artist
- Fire Control
- Flame Breath
- Immortal
- Invulnerability
- Leadership
- Longevity
- Magic
- Possession
- Shape Shifter
- Stamina
- Stealth
- Super Speed
- Super Strength
- Swordsmanship
- Unarmed Combat
- Weapon Master
I tried telling you the list was long…
We have a lot to work on.
But for this one we’re going to really focus in on stamina, speed, strength and swordsmanship/unarmed combat.
With the help of Coach Derek’s programming I think we can handle this one.
Are you ready?
Check out all The SHJ Programs and start unleashing your inner SuperHuman.
The Liu Kang Workout Routine
Training Volume:
5+ days per week
Explanation:
For this one I’m giving you two programs. I’m giving you a bodyweight training day that requires calisthenics and cardio (which I’ll give you 5 days worth of training), and then I’m also going to be sharing the Deathstroke routine below, as I feel that’s the best routine for you guys to utilize from Coach Derek’s programming.
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Liu Kang Calisthenics and Cardio Workout Schedule
Cardio Vocab:
HIIT Training –
1 min on: Sprint at 6.5-10 mph
1 min off: Walk on 2.5-3.5mph
Distance Training –
Jog: Basic long distance run
Row: Basic long distance row
Calisthenics Workout:
150 Air Squats
150 Push Ups
100 Sit Ups
100 Leg Raises
100 Dips
75 Pull Ups
75 Plank to Push Ups
Liu Kang Weekly Schedule:
Monday: Bodyweight and 10-20 minutes of HIIT
Tuesday: 1600 meter distance training
Wednesday: Bodyweight and 30 minutes of HIIT
Thursday: 3200 meter distance training
Friday: Bodyweight and 10-20 minutes of HIIT
Saturday and Sunday: Active Off Days (Feel free to add in calisthenics)
The Liu Kang Workout: Deathstroke Variation
Day 1: Functional Strength
Dynamic Warm up:
20 Jumping Jacks
20 Seal Jacks
10 Lunges per leg
10 Squat to stand
10 Shoulder Rotations
10 Ice Skaters
30 Second Sprint in place and Sprawl
30 second Scorpion Stretch each side
Equipment Required for this Mission
Heavy Dumbbells, Kettlebell , Med Dumbbells
Mirakuru treatment One : Diagnose
Heavy Dumbbell required for entire circuit
Repeat 3 times
Single arm press Right side: 30 Seconds
Single arm press Left Side 30 Seconds
Chest Flys 30 Seconds
Dumbbell Crush Press 30 Seconds
active rest 1 minute
Mirakuru treatment Two: Inject
Kettlebell, Heavy and Medium Dumbells required
Repeat 3 Times
Suitcase Deadlifts using Heavy weight 30 seconds
Alternating Lunge with Twist ( holding Kettlebell or Med Weight) 30 Seconds
Zercher Squat (holding Kettlebell or Med Weight) 30 Seconds
Side to Side Burpees (using only bodyweight) 30 Seconds
Active rest 1 Minute
Mirakuru treatment Three: Surge
Medium Dumbbell or Kettlebell Required
Repeat 3 times
With Kettlebell or Med Dumbbell Single arm swing Right Side- 30 seconds
With Kettlebell or Med Dumbbell Single arm swing Left Side- 30 seconds
With Kettle Bell Single Arm row Right Side with Right leg lifted 30 Seconds
With Kettlebell or Med.Dumbbell Single Arm Row Left Side with Left leg lifted 30 seconds
Active Rest 1 minute
Mirakuru treatment Four: Effects
Medium Dumbbells required for entire circuit:
Repeat 3 Times
Alternating Over head press -30 Seconds
Alternating Dumbbell Rows 30 Seconds
Triple Crush (Clean, press, overhead tricep extension ) 30 Seconds
Dumbbell Wrist Curls (for wrist strength to hold sword ) 30 Seconds
Active rest 1 minute
Mirakuru Treatment Five Afterburn
Finish off with 30 seconds of each bodyweight exercise
1 arm or regular push ups
1 arm or regular pull ups
Day 2: The Way of the Warrior : Sword Training & MMA
Swords are traditionally a double-handed weapon. A lot of the sword’s power comes from the push-pull action between two hands on the sword’s hilt. The two-handed grip drives the primary motion of the weapon that is then followed through by the arms, shoulders and the rest of the body. Choke up on the grip .
You can use a real sword, Boken (practice sword ) broom handle, hockey stick, baseball bat, or even a crowbar.
Practice your angle attacks
1: Slashing down at top of a “x” angle 25 reps
2: Following through from your 1 bringing to opposite shoulder and cutting down in backhand motion into other top of “x” 25 reps
3 cutting across waist level as if to make a + sign -25 reps
4 cutting back across backhanded the way you just came in with the 3 . 25 reps
5 Stabbing straight (fencing like ) motion 25 reps
Power strike: (works Legs , Glutes , Back Shoulders , Arms)
Hold sword in front of hips, pointing down, with right hand on the sword’s ridge and left hand just above it. Lunge forward with right foot and turn left toes out. Inhale as you raise arms overhead, bending elbows so sword is parallel to your back. Exhale as you rotate torso to the left and extend arms, striking sword down to the left . Raise sword to starting position and repeat, rotating to the right, to complete 1 rep. Do 10 reps; switch legs halfway through set.
Fighter stance: (Works Legs Glutes and Core) Hold sword with right hand on the ridge in front of chest, left hand open and above left shoulder. Stand with feet wide, knees slightly bent, and inhale Exhale as you step right foot back at a diagonal to the left and squat. Step back to starting position; repeat. Do 10 reps, then switch legs to complete set.
Roundhouse and front kicks holding sword (works core, legs balance and hips) 25 Each Leg
Assassin Abs (works core shoulders , biceps) Sit with knees bent, ankles crossed, and feet on the ground. Hold sword at chest height in front of you, pointing down, right hand on the ridge and left hand above it. Inhale as you bring arms overhead, bending elbows so sword is parallel to your spine Exhale as you lean back and uncross
ankles, extending arms and legs at a 45-degree angle in front of you .Return to starting position and repeat for 30 seconds.
MMA Training Drills:
Solo Drills
Ground and Pound:
Use a heavy bag or kicking shield on the ground in mount position, keeping weight and chin down , unload for extended periods with variety of strikes , mix up rhythm , posturing up , staying low etc
Guard Striking:
Hold the top of a heavy bag between your legs on your back in the Guard position, Practice various strikes, sweeps to get into side control or mount etc
Shoot for Double Leg
In your ready stance with lead leg, push your front knee and hip forward until your front knee touches the ground and rear knee is in a driving / straight motion
Partner Drills:
Should ONLY be done with a trained partner ( your own Billy Wintergreen or Shado ) in a safe environment not recommended for garage , living room etc.
Big Glove / Little Glove(Advanced Dill)
Partner A wears 16 oz Boxing Gloves , Partner B wears 4 oz MMA gloves
Each Partner can strike lightly but partner A because of the bulky Boxing Gloves must avoid being taken down. while Partner B must avoid Partner A’s blows and try to get in to execute a full takedown
Double Underhook Swing Drill: (Beginner to Intermediate Drill)
Grab your partner in a front bearhug with your arms under theirs , lift your partner and swing them side to side in a pendulum motion
Bear Crawl and Frog Hop Drill: (Beginner to Intermediate Drill)
Face your partner, have their legs wide open enough for you to bear crawl through, stand up behind them , then have them lean over as you frog hop (leapfrog) over them
REPEAT
Day 3: Mercenary Endurance
Equipment Required
Heavy Dumbbell , Med Dumbbell ( or Kettle bell) Bodyweight
Warm up:
5 minutes of Jump rope, light Jog or Heavy bag
Workout:
Do 45- 60 seconds of each exercise one after another with 2 minutes rest between rounds , Do entire circuit three times
Heavy Dumbbells : Dumbbell Deadlift to Curls
Bodyweight: Side to side Burpees
Bodyweight :V-Ups
Bodyweight :Knee Tap Burpees
Med Dumbbell : Alternating reverse lunge to knee strike
Bodyweight: Double Push Up Burpees
Kettle bell or Med Dumbbell swings
Bodyweight: Quad Thrust Burpees
Med Dumbbells : Alternating Side to Side Lateral Raises
Bodyweight : Alternating Kick Thru Toe Touch Burpees
Day 4 Assassin Speed and Agility
You can’t be the World’s greatest Assassin without speed & agility
Agility Ladders are a fun & inexpensive way to forge both
Warm up
50 yard sprints 4 times
Tip: On certain ladder drills DON’T LOOK DOWN AT YOUR FEET you know where your feet are. look straight ahead and use your peripheral vision. But once you get the hang of the movements, try going through the circuits with your right eye closed to emulate Mr. Wilson.
Equipment needed :
Agility Ladder, Medicine ball or weight plate and whatever prop used to sub for sword
The mission is to progress forward up the ladder with prescribed exercise when reaching then end turn around and do the same thing back . Do the whole circuit 3 times
Single leg hops between ladder spaces (do both Right and Left)
Lateral Jumps in and out of ladder spaces ( keep feet together)
Explosive Pushups between ladder spaces
Forward and backward crab walk between ladder space
Two vertical jumps between each ladder space
Sit Throughs place hand in ladder space in a one handed pushup position, kick through with same leg , )
With weighted plate or Medicine Ball (start with holding weight , feet together inside ladder jump out into a squat position landing outside the ladder)
Fast feet or football shuffles through ladder spaces
Ali shuffle while practicing Sword 5 angle attacks
It has been said that once Deathstoke accepts a contract, he will stop at nothing to fulfill it. You’ve made it this far , this is your final hurdle to train like one of the most feared badasses in the DC Universe,and why he is called the Terminator
Day 5 : Contract Fulfillment/ the Stroke of Death
Weight Required for your final assignment: Light, Med, & Heavy Dumbbells
Warm up
5 Minutes of Jump Rope, Heavy Bag , or Jog in place
Part 1 : Accept
10 Air Squats, then 10 Hindu ( or dive Bomber ) pushups, Repeat for 5 Minutes
Part 2 : Intelligence gathering
Using Med. Dumbbell
Alternating get up to 1 leg rows. Repeat for 5 Minutes:
Start with single arm Bench press, press up over head, sit up ( keep eyes on Dumbbell) come to a stand, lean over raise the same leg in rear ( that the weight is holding,) do 3 rows,raise the weight over head , sit back down, and repeat on the other side
2 minutes rest
Part 3: Strategist
Med Dumbbells Required for entire circuit
Piston squat (squat to overhead press) 30 Seconds
Dumbbell Squat Thrusts 30 seconds
Alternating Sumo High Pulls 30 Seconds
Dumbbell narrow pushups 30 Seconds
Repeat
2 Minute rest
Part 4: Target Acquired
Medium and Light Dumbbells required
Medium Dumbbell:Alternating rear lunge to knee strike 30 seconds
Light Dumbbells:”Y” Press ( palms in like making a muscle ) 30 seconds
Light Dumbbells : Angle Curls
Light Dumbbells: “T” lunges with reach 30 seconds
2 Minutes Rest
Part 5 : Target Terminated
Heavy Dumbbells Required
Heavy Dumbbells : Renegade row 30 seconds
Heavy Dumbbell : Power Clean 30 Seconds
Heavy Dumbbell: Push Press 30 seconds
Repeat Circuit 1 more time
Once Completed Combine all and continue for 2 minutes
Renegade rows, to Power Clean to Push press
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