Dave Bautista Workout Routine, Diet & Supplements (Revealed)

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Published by Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: February 26, 2024
Our content is meticulously researched and reviewed by an expert team of fact checkers and medical professionals. They ensure accuracy, relevance, and timeliness using the latest reputable sources, which are cited within the text and listed at the end of the article. Before publication and upon significant updates, we confirm factual accuracy, committed to providing readers with well-informed content. Learn more.

I have been following Dave Bautista’s career ever since his early wrestling career. He has managed to maintain his toned muscles even as he transitioned from wrestling to Hollywood.

This left many individuals curious about his exercise, diet, and the supplements he uses. I embarked on a quest to find out what Bautista's workouts look like and what kind of meals he consumes.

You will be surprised by the simplicity of his exercises. However, you must be prepared to hit the gym at least six days a week.

Dave Bautista Body Transformation

Dave has spoken a few times about his tough childhood, which led him to make some shady mistakes.

Ultimately, he credits bodybuilding as being the turning point that saved his life and possibly long stints in jail.

Because muscle building worked so well for him, he decided to take his massive body into the rings of WWE, where he achieved multiple world heavyweight titles.

Throughout this time, he bulked up even more, and that gave him a superhero-like appearance that attracted the attention of Hollywood.

He has now appeared as Marvel’s Drax The Destroyer and in Guardians of the Galaxy.

All thanks to workout routines that might put you into a sweat just reading about them.

youtube

His Workout Approach

Working Out

Dave Bautista is one of those people lucky enough to be able to build muscle in a short amount of time. But that doesn’t mean that his workouts are a cakewalk.

Very much the opposite is the case.

When he was still in his teens and early twenties, he focused only on weightlifting to bulk up. But when he entered the WWE arena, he quickly had to make up some fitness and stamina levels as well.

That’s why some people might think his workout routine aims to burn fat, but as you can see in the images, he’s managed to remain ripped.

Bautista Sample Workout Routine

Dave has taken quite a unique approach to weight training in recent years. First of all, he tends to focus all his workout sessions on 3 days, which sometimes involves splitting the routine over two sessions a day.

And then he tends to do more reps than most other bodybuilders do.

From my own training experience, I've implemented similar split routines for some of my clients, finding that it can be highly effective for those with busy schedules, allowing for intense training while still providing adequate recovery time.

Monday - Back and Shoulders

Front Raises
  • Front pulldowns (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Lat pull downs (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Barbell behind the neck press (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Lateral raises (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Dumbbell shrugs (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Weighted pull-ups (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Front raises (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Seated cable rows (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)

Tuesday - Rest and Stretching

This doesn’t mean sitting on the couch; it means a bit more of an active rest. Aim to go for a few walks and pencil in an hour to do some stretching. You’ll be surprised at how this will affect your recovery time.

Bautista also likely incorporated a variety of recovery techniques, such as active recovery days, stretching, and possibly even yoga or foam rolling, into his rest days to prevent injuries and enhance muscle recovery.

Wednesday - Legs

Hack Squats
  • Seated calf raises (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Lying leg curls (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Standing calf raises (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Leg extensions (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Hack squats (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Leg Presses (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)

Thursday - Rest and Stretching

For a week that falls into a cutting phase, this day should also be used for some cardio fat-burning sessions. Mix the workout between a treadmill, elliptical, and exercise bike to get the full body moving.

Friday - Chest, Arms, and Abs

Preacher Curls
  • Dumbbell bench press (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Incline bench press (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Reverse wrist curls (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Preacher curls (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Triceps extensions (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Dumbbell curls (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Cable crossovers (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Hanging leg raises (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Crunches (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)
  • Scissor kicks (3-4 sets of 10-15 reps)

Saturday/Sunday - Rest Days

These should also be active rest days with long walks or even some light hiking. Keeping your blood flow up is the best way to speed up workout recovery.

“I'm not a big guy. I'm not a menacing guy. I'm not an intimidating guy. I may look that way, but just spend two seconds talking to me, and you know that's not who I am - not as a person, as a character. It's not who I intend to be.” - Dave Bautista.

What Does Dave's Diet Look Like?

Healthy Food

Dave Bautista does his own thing when it comes to eating. But one thing is certain: he eats a lot to be able to maintain that bulk.

That means a lot of calories, which is also why he doesn't shy away from carbs as many other bodybuilders would often do.

His low-fat and high-protein approach gives him this kind of meal plan.

Meal 1

  • Large bowl of oatmeal
  • 6 to 8 egg omelet
  • Protein shake

Meal 2

  • 1 cup of nuts
  • Protein shake

Meal 3

  • Large portion of fresh fish
  • Large plate of vegetables
  • 3 large baked potatoes

Meal 4

  • 3 grilled chicken breasts
  • Brown rice or sweet potato

Meal 5

  • Large tuna salad
  • Protein shake

What you will notice, though, is that there are only complex carbs. He even keeps fruit to a minimum as the fructose could cause blood sugar spikes that might mess up his exercise performance as shown by Everyday Health [1].

He also aims to keep his fat intake very low and aims to source them from healthy fish and vegetables.

In my practice, I've advised clients on similar high-calorie diets, especially those aiming for significant muscle gain. It's about finding the right balance of macros tailored to each individual's body type and fitness goals.

Other powerful physiques:

His Supplement Stack

Supplements

I mentioned above that Dave seems to have his own unique approach to getting his diet right, but one thing he has talked about in interviews is a traditional approach to supplements.

There are 3 main products that he would take on his training days to support both muscle recovery and bulking.

1. Whey Protein

Dave plans out several protein shakes throughout the day. The idea is to have a constant supply of the most important amino acids, which is why he mainly takes whey. It’s also an easy way to get some extra calories in without facing another chicken breast.

2. BCAAs

These amino acids play a crucial role in muscle recovery and bulking. While whey contains these proteins, according to studies by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, a dedicated BCAA supplement should support your training program better by providing a targeted boost for muscle recovery [2].

3. Pre-Workout

To get every last rep out of a training session, Dave Bautista would take pre-workout supplements to push his body a bit more. Even 5% extra muscle endurance and stamina can help you get the most out of a training program.

Other celebrity physiques:

In my experience, while guiding clients through their supplement choices, I emphasize the importance of personalizing their supplement stack based on their unique body composition and training intensity.


References:

  1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/living-with/foods-that-spike-blood-sugar/
  2. https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-016-0142-y
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

About The Author

James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Education: University of Hertfordshire
Lives in: London, England, United Kingdom
Learn more about our editorial policy

You May Also Like

Dave Asprey posing in front of a bunch of supplements
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 1 day ago
Dave Asprey’s Supplements List: Recommendations & Advice
Your guide to Batista and steroids
By Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC 3 days ago
Is Batista On Steroids Or Natural? (Dave Bautista Revealed)
Jennifer Lopez on walk of fame event
By Christiana Mikesch, CPT 2 months ago
Jennifer Lopez Workout Routine & Diet Plan
your guide to tim mcgraw's body care routine
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 2 months ago
Tim McGraw's Workout & Diet (His Unique Secret Shared)
Tamra Judge smiling
By Lisa Lorraine Taylor, BSc, CPT 2 months ago
Tamra Judge Workout Routine & Diet Plan
LeBron James working out in the gym
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 2 months ago
LeBron James Workout Routine, Diet Plan & Supplements

Write a Reply or Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *