Nathan Drake Martial Arts Workout
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If there’s one thing Nathan Drake, the swashbuckling hero of Uncharted, is known for besides his razor-sharp wit and love of ancient treasures, it’s his physical prowess. Whether he’s scaling cliffs, sprinting through crumbling ruins, or battling hordes of enemies in close-quarters combat, Drake’s blend of strength, agility, and resilience is the hallmark of a true adventurer.
But what if you could train like him? In this breakdown, we’re diving deep into what it would take to build the body and skills of Nathan Drake using a martial arts-based workout. From powerful strikes to functional movements, this routine is designed to mimic the explosiveness, endurance, and raw strength needed to survive—and thrive—through the toughest of challenges.
Since we already broke down his full workout routine, we will be going straight into the workout in this segment!
Want to learn more about Martial Arts Training?
You can check out the complete guide on proper strength training for Martial Arts Performance.
And for those who want to check out our awesome free workouts, you can check them out here:
Don't worry—we have plenty of additional resources below that you can also apply to your training.
Note: This workout is strictly martial arts and performance training. It is split into different phases. This will be one repeatable workout that you can use with any workout on our index that you see as the best fit.
This will be a complete martial arts routine inspired by Nathan Drake from Uncharted.
I hope you all enjoy it! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the workout.
With that being said… let's get into it!
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Workout frequency: 3 days
Training description: This workout plan combines martial arts skills training with functional conditioning, so you'll not only build endurance and strength but also improve your ability to strike, move, and defend dynamically in real-life scenarios—just like Nathan Drake.
Day 1: Striking & Endurance
Warm-up:
5 minutes of dynamic stretching and shadowboxing (light punches, kicks, and footwork drills)
Workout:
Heavy Bag Work (Striking Combinations)
5x2-minute rounds with 1 minute rest
Focus on different combos: Jab-cross, hooks, uppercuts, low kicks. Use full-body rotation to develop power like Drake's hand-to-hand combat. Keep your footwork dynamic to simulate in-game dodging and movement.
Push-up to Punch Transition
4x10 reps (from push-up position, explode up and throw two punches)
Trains explosive power, useful for quick recoveries during combat.
Jump Rope (Endurance & Agility)
5x1-minute rounds
Mimics the endurance Drake needs during long fights or chase scenes. Use alternating feet, high knees, and side-to-side jumps to engage your legs and core.
Roundhouse Kicks (Shadow or on Bag)
4x10 kicks per leg
Improves balance, flexibility, and striking power.
Plank Hold with Punches
3x1 minute (alternate punching from plank position)
Builds core and shoulder stability, crucial for maintaining balance and control in combat situations.
Burpees with a Knee Strike
4x10 reps
Explosive full-body conditioning and combat readiness. After the burpee, add a knee strike, simulating knee strikes used in close-quarter combat.
Cool Down:
5-10 minutes of stretching focusing on shoulders, hips, quads, and hamstrings.
Day 2: Agility, Footwork, & Defense
Warm-up:
5 minutes of shadowboxing with movement, incorporating lateral and backward steps.
Workout:
Agility Ladder Drills
5x30 seconds (varied footwork: two-in two-out, lateral shuffles, forward and backward steps)
Enhances quick footwork and mobility for dodging enemies and moving dynamically in unpredictable environments like Drake.
Slip & Duck Drill (Shadowboxing or Partner)
4x1-minute rounds
Focus on slipping (moving head side-to-side) and ducking under imaginary punches. This enhances head movement for defensive agility during fights.
Lateral Bounds with Jab-Cross Combos
4x10 reps (5 per side)
Jump laterally, land, and immediately throw a jab-cross combo. Improves explosiveness and the ability to strike while moving.
Box Jumps (or Explosive Step-ups if no box)
4x10 reps
Builds explosive lower body power for climbing, jumping, or escaping danger quickly.
Shadowboxing with Directional Movement
3x2-minute rounds
Move around as if dodging enemies, throwing combinations and defending. Focus on agility, combining quick strikes with fluid footwork.
Lunge to High Kick
4x10 reps per leg
Lunge down, then explode up into a high kick. This builds leg strength, balance, and striking flexibility.
Cool Down:
5-10 minutes of stretching, focusing on calves, hamstrings, and shoulders.
Day 3: Grappling, Conditioning, & Power
Warm-up:
5 minutes of dynamic stretching and shadowboxing, incorporating sprawling movements and ground-based techniques.
Workout:
Sprawls (Defensive Movement)
5x10 reps
Simulates evading a takedown by dropping your hips to the floor. Builds explosive hip strength and mimics Drake's ability to react quickly in combat.
Ground & Pound (Heavy Bag or Ground Target)
4x1-minute rounds
Place the bag on the floor and practice striking it from a mounted position (mix punches, elbows, and hammer fists). Builds full-body endurance and simulates grappling scenarios where you need to strike from the ground.
Bear Crawl to Push-up
4x10 meters of crawling followed by 10 push-ups
Bear crawls mimic the agility needed to move in low, awkward positions (e.g., crawling under obstacles). The push-ups add upper body strength.
Jump Squats with a Tuck
4x12 reps
Explosive lower body exercise for building power, useful for jumping across gaps or reacting quickly to attacks.
Pull-up to Knee Raise
4x8 reps
Perform a pull-up, then bring your knees to your chest at the top of the movement. This builds upper body strength for climbing and core strength for grappling scenarios.
Sit-outs (Grappling Transition Drill)
4x1-minute rounds
From a bear crawl position, sit out by extending one leg to the side while keeping your hips low. This builds hip mobility and endurance for scrambling during ground combat.
Cool Down:
5-10 minutes of stretching, focusing on hips, hamstrings, quads, and lower back.
Key Notes for the Plan:
Rest Days: Rest at least 1 day between sessions to allow recovery.
Progression: As you get more conditioned, increase the duration of rounds or reduce rest periods.
Focus on Technique: While conditioning is important, keep your movements crisp and controlled. The goal is to blend power with agility, just like Drake's calculated yet aggressive fighting style.
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