I love Martial Arts movies, these guys are all so superemly fit with great and impressive acrobatic talent. However, a lot of them also have stunning physiques, and these days it seems they’re getting better and better. To be a martial arts actor these days means also having the ripped midsection and build of an amatuer bodybuilder (almost).
Watch a few of the classics as I love to, hence my other website – Martial Arts Action Movies .com), and you’ll see just how much these guys can move, and just how ripped most of them are! So below is a list of who I believe embody the best physique combined with excellent Martial Arts talent and fitness (in no particular order).
Michael Jai White
Why he’s on the list:
If you’re talking big, massively built guys who jump around and perform the same stunts and moves as the small guys, Michael Jai White has to be the best example. You’ve got a guy well over 200 pounds delivering quick powerful punches and kicks, and he’s just as acrobatic as the rest of them. His talent for building purely functional muscle mass is really impressive.
Check out Blood & Bone
Jackie Chan
Why he’s on the list:
Jackie Chan’s always been in shape. From his early twenties through to this very day, he’s been performing at a level most fit guys never do, even in their twenties – and Jackie is almost 60! He always looked to be reasonably fit, and has shown off a pretty impressive mid section in the past. Plus he’s one of the all time best, you can’t go past him.
Too Many to Check out! Try Police Story
Jason Statham
Why he’s on the list:
Action Fans love Jason Statham, he went from performing mostly in comedic roles to all of a sudden showing up in The Transporter – totally ripped. Since then he’s been known for his physique and incredible onscreen martial arts presence – despite the fact he did little martial arts training before landing his role in the Transporter!
Check out – well, The Transporter Trilogy
Donnie Yen
Why he’s on the list:
Currently Donnie Yen is Hong Kong’s most sought after action man, at almost 50 he’s maintained a toned and incredible Physique. His abilities do not look to have faded at all, he’s still pumping out awesome action films
See his most impressive physical performances in Kill Zone
.
Scott Adkins
Why he’s on the list:
Scott Adkins has to have the most defined set of abs I’ve ever seen on a martial arts actor. Even when he’s relaxed they seem to just pop out. Put that with his incredible martial arts, acrobatic talent and awesomely built and proportioned physique and you can’t help but take notice. He has a massive following as the character Boyka, a vicious looking con in the Undisputed movies who has some serious ability in the ring. Definitely a rising star!
Check out: Undisputed 2
Tony Jaa
Why he’s on the list:
Tony Jaa exploded onto the scene in Ong Bak. Why he’s not the most built but he’s definitely looking good and has some pretty impressive moves. He’s only made a few movies but what he has made really shows everything he’s got – he’s a guy who just never stops moving!
Check out Ong-Bak
Mark Dacascos
Why he’s on the list:
If you’ve ever watched Drive (which I just did the other day!), you’ll see that Mark Dacascos is freakishly able to jump and move in any fancy way he wishes! Although he’s a lighter guy, he’s got a tremendously ripped mid section with a proportional amount of muscle.
Check Mark out in Drive
Van Damme
Why he’s on the list:
Jean Claude Van Damme – I grew up watching his movies and always thought of him as being one of the big muscle bound action heros (kind of like Arnods Schwarzenegger and Stallone). I noticed his phyisque before I noticed his martial arts ability. If you rewind back to his most popular films, you’ll see just how built and tremendously flexible he is. Like him or not, he’s cemented his spot!
Check out Van Damme in Bloodsport
Wesley Snipes
Why he’s on the list:
He’s Blade! He’s a mean unbeatable vampire hunter with awesome Martial Arts skill! But Wesley Snipes has always been a guy who’s kept fit and proven his martial arts ability in a number of roles. He gets released from prison in the next year or so (for tax evasion) – so I hope he get’s stuck pumping out more awesome movies!
Checkout Undisputed
Bruce Lee
Why he’s on the list:
You knew he would be! Bruce Lee is known even in bodybuilding circles (among the very best) for his other-worldly physique – despite the fact he’s not a huge guy! While Bruce is what I’d class a small guy, who recognise his ripped physique anywhere! But what you may or may not know is his real life fitness is almost superhuman! He’s considered to be one of the strongest men (pound for pound) of his time, with an insane level of endurance and of course – Martial Arts ability.
Ask any martial arts actor who they could train with if they had the choice – it’s Bruce Lee.
Check out Bruce in Enter the Dragon
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