Why AEW’s Chris Jericho Had To Modify His Training Regimen
Chris Jericho had to change the way he trains so that he can continue to wrestle at a high level for AEW.
For over 30 years, Chris Jericho has been known as one of the most durable pro wrestlers in the business. Jericho is one of the rare wrestlers in the business who hasn’t suffered a major injury that required a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
In a business full of wrestlers tearing their knees, shoulders, elbows, or hurting their necks along with various other injuries to body parts, Chris Jericho’s longevity is clearly one of the biggest reasons for his success as a pro wrestling legend.
At the age of 53 (he’ll turn 54 on November 9), Chris Jericho is one of the oldest wrestlers in AEW, yet he still competes in the ring nearly every week.
During an appearance on The Adam Carolla Show, Jericho spoke about what he does that allows him to continue wrestling at an age when most wrestlers are retired. Jericho also said that he no longer lifts weights because it hurts his joints.
“I mean it really is focused on diet now more than anything. I don’t lift weights, per se, anymore because my joints are getting too messed up. As you get older, how much you bench really doesn’t matter anymore. So a lot of dieting, constantly. That’s kind of the number one.”
“I kind of shifted all of my training over to kickboxing. I really enjoy that for a cardio workout. It’s good for the form, for the definition as well. But yeah, that’s kind of the most that I do because like I mentioned, lifting weights, I think it becomes more counterproductive over the years when you’re really straining with those joints and those ligaments.”
Chris Jericho Considers Himself Fortunate As A Pro Wrestler
The discussion continued with Jericho talking about how he has been able to avoid major injuries in his career.
“I’ve also been very fortunate, I’ve never had really injuries. I really haven’t been injured at all to where I had to miss any length of time, so I’m cognizant of that as well, so I don’t want to mess with that dynamic too. So it’s wrestling, so we can kind of pick and choose our spots.”
“You still never know, it’s still a contact sport, it’s still got the live stunt show element to it. So you can be as careful as you want, but you still have to be durable and cognizant of where your body is and just stay in the best shape you can.”
That good fortune Chris Jericho speaks about led him to win the ROH World Title for the second time on the October 23rd episode of AEW Dynamite. Jericho is now a 9-time World Champion between his reigns in WWE, WCW, AEW, and ROH.