Reg Park has remained one of the few inspirational bodybuilders for years. Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of the most successful bodybuilders and actors of all time, speaks highly of Reg Park, considering him as one of his idols who inspired him in his own career.
I set out to discover the details of Park’s workout routine and diet in pursuit of understanding his fitness regimen and nutrition choices. My findings have heavily transformed how my clients train, resulting in massive strength gains.
Let's delve into how Reg Park achieved his impressive physique.
Quick Summary
- Reg Park trained with heavy weights, focusing on compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, and followed a 5x5 workout plan.
- Park emphasized a balanced diet that provides the body with the necessary nutrients for building muscle gains.
- He took protein powders, multivitamins, and mineral supplements to enhance muscle size, strength, and stamina during workouts.
Reg Park Stats

Roy Reg Park (1928-2007) was an English bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and actor.
He achieved his first title as Mr. Britain in 1949, followed by victories in Mr. Universe in 1951, 1958, and 1965.
He gained recognition for his roles in five films, including four where he portrayed Hercules, and co-starred with Christopher Lee in "Hercules in the Haunted World".
In addition to his own successful career, Park is renowned as an idol and mentor to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- Age: 79 years
- Height: 6 ft 1 in
- Weight: 220 lb
- Waist: 32 in
- Chest: 52 in
Reg Park’s Tried and Tested Workout Routine for Muscle Growth

Reg Park 5x5 routine is a classic strength training program that focuses on building muscle mass and strength.
It consists of two alternating workout days, typically performed three days a week, with a day of rest in between.
The workout involves training 3-4 days per week, allowing for adequate rest and recovery between sessions.
Rest periods between sets and exercises are kept relatively short to maintain intensity and maximize results.
Reg Park’s 5x5 Training Routine

Reg Park's workout routines follow a 5x5 approach, which involves performing 5 sets of 5 repetitions for each exercise.
He would take rest periods of three to five minutes between work sets to allow for a full recovery and optimize strength during his weight training.
Here’s a sample of Reg Park’s workout plan consisting of chest, back, lower, and upper body movements:
Workout A
- Squats - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Bench Press - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Deadlifts - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Barbell Rows - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Front Squats - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Rows - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Standing Military Press - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Deadlifts - 3 sets of 5 reps
- Wrist Curls / Reverse Curls - 2 sets of 10 reps
- Calves - 2 sets of 15–20
Workout B

- Standing Military Press - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Power Cleans - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Chin-ups or Pull-ups - 3 sets of 8–10 reps
- Back Squats - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Dips or Bench Press - 5 sets of 5 reps
- Wrist Curls / Reverse Curls - 2 sets of 10 reps
- Calves - 2 sets of 15-20 reps
Related article: 5x5 Workout Program
Workout Split

The routine consists of a 3-day split of full body workout, alternating between workouts A and B. The suggested schedule for the first three weeks is as follows:
- Week 1: A, B, A
- Week 2: B, A, B
- Week 3: A, B, A
We recommend training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, allowing for a day of rest in between the next workout and keeping your weekends free for family and work commitments.
Some people alternatively work out on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to enjoy a rest Friday.
Progression and Recovery
Reg Park's training program promotes progressive overload, gradually increasing the weight lifted over time to continually challenge the muscles and promote muscle growth [1].
"Training is like life, you get your ups and downs, but if you think about your problems hard enough and logically enough, you'll either solve them or reach a compromise."
- Reg Park
Here’s how to include progressive overload in Reg Park’s workout:
- Warm-up sets: The first 2 sets in a 5x5 training routine are warm-up sets. For instance, if you're aiming for a 150 lb bench press during your session, the first set would be around 60% of that weight, or 90 lbs, performed for five reps.
The second set of five would be approximately 80% of your target 5-rep max, which would be 120 lbs in this case.
- Stabilizer sets: Once you've completed the two warm-up sets, the final three sets are considered working sets, referred to as Stabilizer Sets by Reg Park. These consist of 3 sets of five reps at 150 lbs.
Begin the program with a lighter weight and gradually increase over time. Test your one rep max every 4-6 weeks to track progress.
Training Principles

Late Reg Park emphasized the following training principles:
- Focus on compound exercises: Reg Park centered his workout plan around key compound exercises that target multiple muscle groups instead of isolation exercises. He referred to squats, deadlifts, and bench presses as primary strength exercises.
- Take breaks: Park was a huge advocate of the belief that taking breaks from training is crucial for building up reserves and allowing the body to rest. He emphasized that taking time away from training can reignite enthusiasm and motivation to push forward when returning.
- Prioritize strength training: Park viewed strength training and bodybuilding as intertwined, with increased strength leading to increased muscle size through lifting weights.
- Periodize: Reg Park trained with periodization, which involves dividing upper and lower body movements into distinct phases or cycles to vary the intensity, volume, and muscle groups in exercises used. This helped him prevent plateaus caused by the same weight.
- Take balanced nutrition: Reg Park recognized the significance of nutrition in supporting his training goals. He followed a balanced diet that included sufficient protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide the necessary nutrients for muscle building and recovery [2].
Related:
Diet Plan and Principles

Reg was famous for consuming generous portions of food to sustain his body. He had a particular fondness for steak.
He consumed 4–5 meals every day, along with a protein beverage consisting of milk, cream, and honey six times daily.
According to the nostalgic recollection of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Park's daily diet included copious amounts of milk, dozens of eggs, 4 kg of steak, cakes, and generous servings of vegetables.
For his early morning meal at 5 am, he would have cornflakes topped with protein powder.
His typical meal plan looked like this:
Meal 1
- A glass of fresh orange juice
- One banana
- One papaya
Meal 2
- One plateful of cooked oatmeal
- One pint of full-fat milk
- Fresh cream
- A plateful of bacon
- Four eggs
- Two tomatoes
- Three rounds of toast
- Two cups of tea
Meal 3
- One large bowl of soup (including tomatoes and peas)
- Two slices of rye bread
- Bowl of boiled vegetables
- Grilled beefsteak
- Two cups of tea
- Three pieces of chocolate
- Two glasses of wine or a pint of Guinness
Meal 4
- Eight ounces of tuna
- Green vegetables
- One large baked potato
Meal 5
- Grilled beefsteak
- Green salad
- Bowl of mixed vegetable soup
- A pint of full-fat milk
Did Reg Park Use Any Supplements?

Reg Park used protein powders, multivitamins, and mineral supplements to fuel his body for monster sessions of his workout program.
He generally aimed to obtain all the necessary nutrients for building an impressive physique through food.
However, he did mention using protein powder, multivitamins, and mineral tablets in addition to his consumption of Guinness for its iron and fat content.
FAQs
What Is the 5x5 Workout Good For?
The 5x5 workout is good for both men and women who desire to gain muscle, reduce body fat, and become generally fit.
How Did Reg Park Get So Big?
Reg Park got big through a combination of heavy weight training, a healthy diet, and supplementation with protein powder, multivitamins, and mineral tablets.
How To Train Like Reg Park?
To train like Reg Park, focus on compound movements, follow a 5x5 training protocol, alternate between workouts A and B, and progressively increase the load. Also, pay attention to your diet and supplements.
Building Mass and Strength the Reg Park Way
It might seem easy to train 3 to 4 days a week, but when you push yourself like Reg Park, you'll quickly realize the intensity of his workout program.
And always keep in mind that achieving a lean and muscular physique like Reg Park's requires a mix of nutrition and training.
Protein powders support Reg Park’s workout, ensuring adequate protein intake for optimal performance and recovery.
Browse through the list of the products that made the cut after extensive testing and find one that fits your needs.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4215195/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7696145/
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