Men's Health August 6, 2026 0 Comments

Discover the Secret 8-Week Program That Transforms Anyone Into a True Athlete—No Gym Required!

Ever wonder why the guys with the biggest biceps aren’t always the ones sprinting circles around you or jumping higher than anyone else on the gym floor? Well, here’s the kicker: the fittest guys don’t just lift heavy — they move heavy, too. They train like athletes, not just bodybuilders. And honestly, if you want to keep crushing life well into your golden years, it’s time to start thinking like one as well. No, you don’t need to lace up for the pros or even dominate a rec league; it’s about building an athletic foundation that adds spring to your step and youth to your bones. It’s not just muscle; it’s agility, power, and resilience — the combo that’ll have you outrunning, outjumping, and outlasting everyone at the next family backyard game or playground tag. Ready to level up your game and finally ditch the same old routine? Our Ultimate Athlete program is crafted precisely for warriors like you — blending science-backed strength with dynamic movement and smart nutrition, all designed to make you feel stronger, faster, and younger than you have in years. This isn’t just exercise; it’s a lifestyle shift that even a 60-year-old Frank Grillo swears by to lift heavier and move better. Now, who’s ready to unleash their inner athlete? LEARN MORE

3 min read

THE FITTEST GUYS you can imagine aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest biceps or the heaviest squat PRs. They’re not just swole or strong; they can also move well, and use their bodies to accomplish a wide range of objectives, from running and changing direction to jumping and landing. These guys might not all be focused on the same goal in the gym, but they do have something in common: They train like athletes. And if you want to be fit and healthy for as long as possible, you should think of yourself as an athlete, too.

You don’t need to have a goal to play in the pros to make this type of perspective shift—and you don’t even have to have a thriving rec league career, either. And don’t think this means that your workout plan is going to shift to only include sport-specific drills that look crazy to the uninitiated.

The thing is, training and building athleticism just may be the missing piece to you living your best life. Yes, muscle and strength are big, but a well-rounded athletic program adds bounce and youth to every step you take—in addition to helping you avoid injuries and setting you up to dominate games of tag and catch and backyard football with the kids. On top of that, a smart athletic training program still sets you up to build more muscle, shed pounds, and supercharge your overall fitness.

Want to reach your A-game? Our Ultimate Athlete program gives you the best training plan, techniques, and nutrition guidelines out there in a six-video series you can start today. You’ll hear from our top fitness experts and also learn from actor Frank Grillo, who shares the weekly regimen he uses to lift heavier than ever even after 60, and learn the top strategies for staying athletic for life. This is our most transformative training playbook yet, setting you up to not only look your best, but to move and feel like you haven’t felt in years.

get ready to move and feel better than you have since high school with our most complete plan ever

What’s In The Guide

You’ll get everything you need to reach peak performance.

8-Week Ultimate Athlete Workout Plan: Follow our daily training program to build athleticism and strength, all while getting lean.
Eat-Like-An-Athlete Nutrition Guide: Maximize energy and muscle repair with daily macro guidelines and fueling strategies.
Training Do’s & Don’ts: Get results faster with solutions for overcoming common training roadblocks and tips for building agility, power, and speed.
Expert Advice: Crush your goals with tips for boosting athleticism from fitness pros, including actor Frank Grillo, who’s starred in Peacemaker, Superman, and the Purge franchise.

Ultimate Athlete Toolkit

Why This Program Works

We took the training strategies real athletes (and real guys!) use to stay in top shape and adapted them for real life.

Increase Strength: Build athlete-level strength with workouts that target the powerhouse muscles that drive your performance.

Develop Explosive Power: Being your fittest means being able to move explosively—and in all directions. You’ll learn how to challenge yourself with unique strategies like contrast training.

Support Longevity & Injury Prevention: Age strong with workouts that enhance joint health, mobility, and strength simultaneously.

Boost Weight Loss: You’ll master cutting-edge training protocols that will rev your metabolism and help you get lean.

FAQs

What fitness level is Ultimate Athlete for?

Ultimate Athlete is for anyone of any fitness level who wants to move with more strength, control, and power in and out of the gym.

What do I need to start?

You’ll need access to a well-stocked gym to perform most of the exercises in the program, including a trap bar, kettlebell, dumbbells, chinup bar, and other gear.

How often will I work out?

You’ll train for five days a week with an optional sixth day.

The Experts

Frank Grillo

One of the stars of DC’s Peacemaker series, Grillo is a longtime actor with a passion for fitness that’s enabled him to stay in shape for decades. Now 60 years old, he lifts heavier than he ever has, and he’s still a stellar athlete who frequently takes on roles that require physicality.

Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.

Samuel is MH’s fitness director, and a veteran trainer who’s worked with several pro athletes and also trained police officers and firemen. He often trains his first responder clients with athletic training principles, since they need to be ready for any and every situation.

Dr. Pat Davidson, Ph.D

Davidson, Ph.D., is a bodybuilder and former college professor who constantly dives into the latest muscle research. He relies on a science-based approach to fitness and training, leveraging the latest research to build cutting-edge workout programs.

Dezi Abeyta, R.D

Abeyta is an Arizona-based dietician who works with pro athletes and average guys. He helps you dial in muscle-building nutrition – while still enjoying every single meal you eat.

What Else is Included

WHEN YOU SIGN up for Men’s Health MVP Premium, you’ll get total access to every Ultimate Athlete video, plus every tool you need to push your gains even further.

TRAINING PLANS: Target key muscles with our library of training plans, including Max Muscle At 50 and Shred Your Dad Bod.
450+ STREAMING WORKOUTS: Access hundreds of streaming video workouts on our fitness app.
70+ NEW ARTICLES WEEKLY: Unlock all stories, as well as cutting-edge reviews and in-depth breakdowns of new workout principles at menshealth.com.
PRINT MAGAZINE: Get every print issue delivered straight to your mailbox.
MH MUSCLE NEWSLETTER: Receive a weekly members-only newsletter with deep insights from MH’s fitness experts.