What Does the Mike Thurston Workout Routine Look Like?
Mike Thurston is a world-renowned fitness model, trainer, and motivator. He’s built up an impressive following on social media thanks to his daily workout videos and fitness tips. So, what does the Mike Thurston workout routine look like? Let’s take a closer look.
The Mike Thurston Workout Routine
Mike Thurston works out six days per week, taking one day off to rest and recover. Here’s a typical day in his workout routine:
- Cardio warm-up on the elliptical machine or stair climber for 10 minutes
- Leg exercises (squats, lunges, etc.) for 30 minutes
- Chest exercises (push-ups, bench presses, etc.) for 30 minutes
- Back exercises (lat pull-downs, rows, etc.) for 30 minutes
- Shoulder exercises (lateral raises, front raises, etc.) for 20 minutes
- Bicep/tricep exercises (curls, extensions, etc.) for 20 minutes
- Abdominal exercises (crunches, sit-ups, etc.) for 20 minutes
- Cardio cool-down on the elliptical machine or stair climber for 10 minutes
First, Who Is Mike Thurston?
At only 26 years old, Mike Thurston has accomplished a great deal. He’s not just a certified fitness trainer and social media influencer with an amazing physique–he is also a successful entrepreneur. It all started 18 years ago when he picked up weightlifting. A few short years later, he was working as a personal trainer before going on to found THRST–a health and fitness company that provides its clients with customized nutrition plans and training programs.
Mike Thurston Takes A Very Structured Approach To His Workout Routine
As you can see, Mike Thurston takes a very structured approach to his workout routine. He starts with a 10-minute cardio warm-up to get his heart rate up and then moves on to specific muscle groups. He spends 30 minutes on leg exercises before moving on to chest, back, and shoulder exercises. He finishes up with some isolation exercises for the biceps and triceps followed by abdominals. As for repetitions, he usually does eight to 12 per set, and rarely more than three sets total. Finally, he completes his workout with a 10-minute cardio cool-down.
Here’s Mike’s Daily Routine
But He Also Changes Up His Routine Every Few Weeks
Mike Thurston varies his workout regimen every five to six weeks so that he doesn’t plateau. Plateaus in training happen because your muscles reach a state of homeostasis. Homeostasis is when your body wants to stay the same, so it stops improving.
Hans Selye, a Canadian endocrinologist, called this phenomenon The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). The way to break out of homeostasis is to add stress to your system. Changing your workout routine by lifting different weights and adding cardio are two ways Mike Thurston applies this concept to his workout routines.
Mike Thurston Pushes Himself Every Single Day
What’s most impressive about Mike Thurston’s workout routine is that he pushes himself hard every single day. If you’re looking to get in shape and build some muscle, following a similar routine is a great place to start. Just remember to focus on quality over quantity—it’s better to do fewer reps with heavy weights than it is to do lots of reps with light weights. And be sure to listen to your body—if you’re feeling fatigued or sore, take a day of rest. You don’t want to risk injury by pushing yourself too hard.
But He Does Take A Rest When He Needs It
Mike Thurston builds in a rest day every week. But if he feels overtired or not quite well, he is okay with taking a break. Without rest days to allow our bodies to recover, we are more likely to see a decrease in results due to muscle fatigue. To maintain optimum performance, it is important to give your body the time and nutrients it needs to replenish glycogen levels. Glycogen is what provides energy for physical activity, and as we exercise, our stores of glycogen get depleted. If we do not allow enough time between workouts for our bodies to refuel, we will start feeling tired and will not perform at our best. It’s counterintuitive, but rest days increase overall fitness and help you reach your goals faster.
Besides Working Out, Mike Thurston Follows A Strict Diet Plan
Thurston’s diet is very healthy, and he rarely cheats. He has six meals a day consisting of complex carbs, lean proteins and lots of veggies. His major meals are evenly spaced out so that he never feels famished at an inconvenient time.
Mike Thurston Drinks A Gallon of Water Every Day
To maintain his hydration, flexibility, and strength, Thurston drinks a gallon of water to keep his body hydrated and prevent muscle cramps during training. Water is important for helping muscles grow. Water carries the nutrients that the body needs to make protein and glycogen. These are the building blocks of muscles in the body.
Here’s a Look at his Daily Eating Routine
Thurston emphasizes that water is not only vital for hydration but also essential for flexibility and strength. When your body does not have enough water, your muscles will cramp from electrolyte depletion. Since muscles are under the control of nerves, a lack of proper water and electrolyte balance will lead to impaired muscle strength and control. In short, drink lots of water to maintain optimal performance and build muscle.
And He Gets Plenty of Protein
Mike Thurston says that his favorite supplements are whey protein and BCAA powders. He drinks BCAAs during his workouts, as soon as he wakes up, and sporadically throughout the day. This is particularly important to him when he is limiting his calorie intake.
This constant stream of protein to his body throughout the day is key for maximum muscle growth. Protein consists of amino acids, which are what give muscles and the rest of the body shape. Amino acids construction makes it possible to repair or even preserve muscle tissue.
Unlike carbohydrates and fat, protein is not only essential for optimal health, but it also contains the building blocks of muscle tissue known as amino acids. Therefore, protein plays a special role in bodybuilding.
If you have enough protein, your body will be in a positive nitrogen balance, which means that your body will be able to build new tissues. This is the anabolic state. Being in an anabolic state means you’ll be able to build muscle. Studies have shown that a diet rich in amino acids promotes lean muscle growth and aiding in muscle recovery. Plenty of protein isn’t an option if you want to see results like Mike Thurston’s.
Plus Other Supplements
To supplement his healthy diet, Mike Thurston also takes multivitamins, omega-3 fish oil tablets, and vitamin D3 tablets.
Get Inspired By Mike Thurston
Are you looking to get in shape but not sure where to start? Why not take some inspiration from world-renowned fitness model and trainer Mike Thurston? Mike works out six days per week following a structured routine that hits all the major muscle groups. But take a rest at least one day a week. Follow a healthy diet, take supplements, and drink lots and lots of water. While you may not be able to match his intensity level initially, following a similar routine is a great way to jumpstart your fitness journey. You will get there. Remember—quality over quantity!
You can also read:
