Let’s be real—who hasn’t seen an episode of Dragon Ball Z or a Saturday morning cartoon and thought, “If I trained like that, I’d be a monster”? Whether it’s pumped heroes, light-speed combatants, or unlikely legends, the world of cartoons is full of characters that inspire us to train harder, lift heavier, or at the very least, yell “KAMEHAMEHA!” during our next set of squats.
If you need a bit of motivation to get to the gym or stay on track, these eight legendary anime and cartoon characters may just be the kick you need. Listed in reverse—because keeping the best for last is just the way it’s done—these heroes demonstrate what top-level training (and attitude) is all about.
8. Saitama – One Punch Man
The guy who takes out monsters with a single punch? Yeah, that’s Saitama. He swears by a basic, brutal routine: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run every day—no machines, no gym, no excuses. It’s raw, it’s repetitive, and it works (at least in his world). His training method is less about complexity and more about commitment—perfect inspiration when you’re tempted to skip a session.
7. Luisa Madrigal – Encanto
Luisa is more than a collection of muscles—she’s strength with purpose. She lifts bridges, moves buildings, and never complains. Until the emotional weight becomes too much to bear. Her strength reflects real-world functional fitness: imagine farmer’s carries, heavy lifting, and strongman-type training. The next time you’re carrying groceries or lifting an awkward load, tap your inner Luisa—strong, steady, and quietly powerful.
6. San (Princess Mononoke)
Wild-raised and battle-hardened, San is a warrior at heart. Her physical fitness? Whole-body strength, explosive power, and raw instinct. Rather than pounding the treadmill, go for a trail run, scramble over boulders, and leap through obstacles of nature. “Train like San” is to tap into the wild—and unleash your inner forest warrior.
5. Larry the Lobster – SpongeBob SquarePants
The beach king of Bikini Bottom, Larry, is the stereotypical gym bro—with a twist. His training is playful, flashy, and varied: beach runs, lifting, athletics, and perhaps some posing. Larry teaches us that training doesn’t need to be business as usual all the time. Add in some playtime, group training, or playing outside, and don’t be shy about flexing a bit—just do it cool.
4. Popeye
The original cartoon strongman, Popeye, was crushing villains long before protein powders existed. His secret? Spinach—and maybe a few thousand pull-ups on ship rigging. While he might be more of a symbol than a literal fitness icon, the idea is timeless: eat your greens, use what’s around you, and embrace bodyweight training. Pull-ups, dips, and rows? He’d approve.
3. Goku – Dragon Ball Z
Training in less than 100x gravity, battling aliens, and enjoying each workout still—Goku is the ultimate fitspiration. His training combines strength, speed, agility, and raw martial arts focus. But his greatest strength? Enjoying the process. He doesn’t train to win—he trains because he loves to. Want to level up like Goku? Find exercises that challenge and thrill you, and never get stagnant.
2. Hercules – Disney’s Hercules
From awkward teenager to mythic hero, Hercules’ evolution is a doozy. With the assistance of his gruff-but-lovable trainer Phil, he conquered obstacle courses, battled monsters, and developed how to harness his power for good. Recapture his hustle with sled pushes, loaded carries, and bodyweight exercises. His life is a testament: anyone can become “zero to hero” with the right attitude—and the right soundtrack.
1. Johnny Bravo
Yeah, he’s all brawn, no brains, but Johnny Bravo’s dedication to curls is. Admirable. He’s all about looks, posing, and maintaining those cannons. Though he won’t take home the functional fitness trophy, there’s something to be said about tapping into your inner Johnny on arm day. Pick up some dumbbells, play your go-to pump-up song, and don’t forget the slogan: “Oh mama!”
No matter if you’re all about toughness like Goku, toughness like Luisa, or just there for the thrill like Johnny, these cartoon legends demonstrate that strength doesn’t have to come in one way. You don’t need a gravity simulator or a stash of spinach—just a bit of consistency, creativity, and possibly some cartoon-inspired attitude.
The next time you hit the gym, consider asking yourself: what cartoon legend are you modeling today?