Nathan Drake Calisthenics Workout: Train Like Uncharted’s Adventurer
In this segment of the Character Training Series, we’re covering Nathan Drake from Uncharted!
Across the series, Drake travels the world uncovering historical mysteries, battling mercenaries, and surviving impossible odds with his skills in climbing, parkour, and raw physical grit. He’s constantly scaling cliffs, sprinting through ruins, and fighting his way out of danger — which makes him the perfect inspiration for functional, adventure-ready fitness.
This workout is designed to capture that rugged, athletic style through calisthenics. Let’s get into it.
Physical Stats
Name: Nathan Drake
Height: 6’0” (183 cm)
Weight: ~190 lbs (athletic build)
Abilities:
Expert climber and parkour athlete
Combat proficiency (hand-to-hand and firearms)
High endurance and stamina for long treks and battles
Explosive agility for stunts and escapes
Tactical awareness and adaptability in unpredictable environments
Training Principles
Grip & Climbing Strength Grip is everything when it comes to climbing — and Drake spends half his life hanging off ledges. Training like him means focusing on pulling strength and grip endurance. Switching grip patterns and challenging your ability to hold on under fatigue is key to building climbing resilience.
Adventure Conditioning Drake’s adventures demand stamina across all terrains. Walking, running, sprinting, and moving fluidly through obstacles are all part of his conditioning. Training style here is about mastering your body in motion — building endurance that lets you keep going no matter the environment.
Explosive Power Nathan Drake doesn’t just climb — he leaps, dives, and fights with full intent. Explosive power is what makes those stunts possible. Training style here is about recruiting fast-twitch muscle fibers, teaching your body to generate force quickly and with control.
Durability & Resilience Drake takes hits, falls, and keeps moving. To train like him, you need to build resilience — conditioning that allows you to perform even when tired or under pressure. Long holds, extended sets, and grind-style training build the toughness that defines his character.
Agility & Adaptability Every adventure throws Drake into unpredictable situations. Training style here is about agility — staying versatile, fluid, and ready to react. Quick transitions, balance work, and dynamic movement patterns help you adapt just like he does when the terrain changes.
Nathan Drake’s Physique Breakdown
Let’s make sense of his training by looking at his physique. Not only are we aiming to perform like him, but also to build a body that resembles Nathan Drake’s rugged, adventure-ready frame.
Lean Muscle Build: Drake’s physique is balanced — strong enough for heavy work, but lean enough to stay agile. He has explosive strength, core control, and overall body mastery. To build this, the training style focuses on progressive calisthenics and conditioning that prioritize performance over bulk.
Strong Washboard Abs: His abs aren’t just aesthetic — they’re functional. Built for climbing, balance, and terrain control, Drake’s core is solid and lean without being overly shredded. Training style here emphasizes stability, rotational strength, and durability in the midsection.
Strong Forearms & Shoulders: Climbing cliffs and hauling himself up ruins demands serious grip and shoulder strength. As a result, Drake’s forearms and shoulders are well-developed, giving him the power to pull, hold, and stabilize. Training style here focuses on grip endurance and shoulder stability, the foundation of climbing strength.
Nathan Drake Calisthenics Workout
This 4-day plan blends weighted calisthenics strength work with climbing-inspired pulling, explosive pushing, and endurance-based leg training. The goal is to capture Drake’s rugged, functional physique and adventure-ready conditioning.
Day 1: Weighted Calisthenics Full Body (Strength Through Restriction)
Warm-Up:
Jump Rope – 2 min
Dynamic Stretch Flow – 5 min
Workout:
Weighted Pull-Ups – 3×8–10
Weighted Dips – 3×10–12
Weighted Push-Ups – 3×12
Weighted Squats – 3×12–15
Weighted Rows (rings/bar) – 3×12
Finisher: Plank Flow (front, side, reverse) – 3×30s each
Day 2: Climbers Pull Day (Grip & Climbing Strength)
Warm-Up:
Scapular Pull-Ups – 2×10
Arm Swings – 10 each direction
Workout:
Commando Pull-Ups – 3×8
Towel Grip Pull-Ups – 3×6–8
Bodyweight Rows – 3×15
Chin-Up Hold – 3×20–30s
Dead Hangs – 3×30–45s
Finisher: Monkey Bar Traverse or Climbing Pull-Ups – 3×5
Day 3: Explosive Push Day (Power & Agility)
Warm-Up:
High Knees – 2×30s
Arm Circles – 10 forward + 10 backward
Workout:
Clap Push-Ups – 3×8–10
Deficit Explosive Push-Ups – 3×10
Ring Flyes – 3×8
Plyometric Dips – 3×8–10
Knuckle Push-Ups – 3×10
Finisher: Alternating Narrow/Wide Explosive Push-Ups – 3×20s
Day 4: Muscle Endurance Leg Day (Adventure Conditioning)
Warm-Up:
Walking Lunges – 10 each leg
Hip Circles – 10 each direction
Workout:
Hindu Squats – 3×25–30
Horse Stance Hold – 3×60–90s
Lateral Lunges – 3×12 each side
Jump Squats – 3×15
Broad Jumps – 3×5 back and forth
Finisher: Wall Sit – 3×60–90s
