George St-Pierre’s Workout Routine in 2025 – Independent Analysis of His MMA Training
How GSP Trains for Strength, Speed, and Endurance
George St-Pierre, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, built his success through discipline, consistency, and intelligent training. His workouts focus on strength, agility, and endurance, helping him perform at an elite level inside and outside the octagon. The George St Pierre workout routine gives insight into how he structures his training to stay strong, flexible, and fight-ready.
- Last Updated: November 10, 2025
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George St-Pierre Workout Philosophy
George St-Pierre’s approach to training is as disciplined as his fighting career. Known for his scientific and methodical mindset, he treats physical fitness as both an art and a science. Every workout is designed to improve not only his strength and speed but also his adaptability in different combat situations.
- Comprehensive approach to training: GSP believes that a true martial artist must master every area of combat. His schedule includes striking, wrestling, grappling, and strength conditioning, helping him stay balanced in all aspects of fighting.
- Mastery of multiple disciplines: Boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu are the four main elements that define his workouts. He dedicates time to each, refining both offensive and defensive techniques to maintain an edge over his opponents.
- Scientific conditioning routines: Beyond martial arts, he emphasizes conditioning through sprinting, gymnastics, and explosive strength exercises. These build endurance, mobility, and body control, allowing him to perform at peak levels without sacrificing speed.
- High-level training environment: GSP surrounds himself with athletes who challenge his abilities. He trains with better wrestlers, stronger boxers, and more advanced jiu-jitsu practitioners to keep improving and learning from every session.
- Mental discipline and adaptability: His philosophy isn’t limited to physical drills. He believes that staying calm, analytical, and open to learning is what separates good fighters from great ones. This mindset helps him adapt quickly during fights and handle high-pressure moments effectively.
- Balanced recovery and preparation: During training camps, he adds sprints, strength-conditioning circuits, and flexibility work to ensure his body can handle the demands of competition while recovering efficiently between sessions.
The George St-Pierre workout philosophy highlights how dedication, consistency, and curiosity build long-term success. His training routine reflects an ongoing commitment to mastering every area of combat while continually challenging himself to reach new levels of performance.
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Martial-Arts Drills
For Georges St-Pierre, martial-arts training is the foundation of his daily routine. Each session focuses on mastering technique, improving endurance, and maintaining sharp mental awareness. His schedule combines several fighting styles that prepare him for any situation inside the cage.
- Striking practice: GSP spends several hours each day refining his stand-up skills through boxing and Muay Thai. These sessions build hand speed, timing, and precision, often ending with rounds of sparring and heavy bag work to simulate real fight pressure.
- Wrestling sessions: Wrestling plays a key role in his training routine, with drills focused on takedowns, clinch work, and scrambles. Working with high-level wrestlers helps him stay explosive and maintain control during transitions.
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu training: His ground game is shaped by daily jiu-jitsu drills that include submissions, escapes, and positional control. Rolling with skilled partners helps him stay calm and effective in ground exchanges.
- Positional and situational drills: GSP dedicates additional time to practicing specific fight scenarios, such as clinch control or shifting from striking to grappling. This focused approach makes his reactions automatic during real competition.
- Elite training partners: He trains with athletes who constantly challenge him, including Olympic-level wrestlers and top-tier jiu-jitsu black belts. These training partners keep him improving and adapting to different fighting styles.
GSP’s martial-arts drills highlight his dedication to constant improvement. His combination of striking, grappling, and jiu-jitsu training builds a balanced and complete skill set that reflects why he is regarded as one of the most well-rounded fighters in mixed martial arts.
I train with guys who are going to the Olympics, [and] with some of the best jiu-jitsu guys.
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Olympic-style Lifting
George St-Pierre’s strength routine focuses on developing real athletic power. Instead of relying on machines, he trains with compound lifts that strengthen multiple muscle groups at once. His longtime coach Firas Zahabi emphasizes Olympic-style lifting and track-inspired movements to help him stay strong, fast, and explosive during every fight.
- Training philosophy: GSP’s workouts revolve around Olympic lifting and track-based exercises. These full-body movements help him build strength and coordination while avoiding unnecessary machine work that limits natural movement.
- Power-focused lifts: His training sessions often feature cleans, push presses, jerks, and front squats. These lifts require precise timing and technique, teaching his body to generate maximum force quickly and efficiently.
- Sample lifting routine: A typical session might include dumbbell cleans, push presses, and clean-and-press combinations. Each movement targets different muscle chains while improving overall balance and explosiveness.
- Explosive multi-joint movements: GSP also uses push-pressing heavy dumbbells to improve speed and power in his strikes and grappling transitions. These exercises build the type of strength that transfers directly to real combat performance.
- Focus on athletic control: Every lift demands proper posture, breathing, and rhythm. GSP’s consistency with these technical lifts helps him stay agile and powerful without adding unnecessary bulk.
This Olympic-style workout approach to training allows GSP to maintain peak strength while preserving his flexibility and endurance. It’s one of the key reasons his body control and power remain unmatched, even against the toughest opponents.
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Functional Strength Work
The George St-Pierre workout is built around practical strength — the kind that translates directly into athletic performance. Instead of isolating single muscles, he focuses on full-body exercises that build power, balance, and endurance. His sessions combine Olympic lifts with high-intensity circuits designed to strengthen both the core and lower body.
- Compound strength training: GSP’s workouts include heavy squats, deadlifts, lunges, and weighted calf raises. These movements engage multiple muscle groups at once, improving total-body coordination and stability.
- Leg-focused sessions: On lower-body days, he performs exercises like deadlifts, front squats, push presses, and jumping lunges. These routines challenge both strength and explosiveness, key elements in his fighting style.
- Bodyweight power moves: Along with heavy lifting, GSP uses his own body weight for strength development. His circuits include pull-ups (strict, kipping, and other variations), push-ups (with feet elevated or on a Swiss ball), and dips for chest and tricep activation.
- Strength phase circuits: During what he calls the “Strength Phase,” GSP cycles through functional exercises like pull-ups, inverted rows, push-ups, and dumbbell squats. These help build muscular endurance, balance, and core control.
GSP’s focus on functional strength work keeps his training balanced and efficient. Each movement supports real performance inside the cage, helping him stay powerful, agile, and conditioned through every round.
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Plyometrics & Conditioning
George St-Pierre’s conditioning program is built to improve speed, power, and endurance. Every session challenges his body to move quickly, react instantly, and sustain high performance across long rounds of training. His approach combines traditional conditioning drills with explosive plyometric exercises to keep his athleticism sharp.
- Sprint-based cardio: GSP often performs track sprints and stadium runs to improve acceleration and stamina. These short bursts of effort train both his cardiovascular system and fast-twitch muscles.
- High-intensity conditioning drills: His workouts feature shuttle runs, battle ropes, and interval training sessions to build endurance and improve recovery time between rounds.
- Explosive plyometric exercises: Plyo box jumps and squat thrusts (burpee-style jumps) are a core part of his training. They help increase leg power and explosive movement, crucial for striking and takedowns.
- Fat-loss interval phase: During certain phases, GSP alternates 20 seconds of squat thrusts with 10 seconds of rest. This interval structure boosts fat burning while maintaining explosive strength.
- Mobility and agility warm-ups: Before intense training, he activates his system with light agility drills like high knees and fast footwork patterns to enhance coordination and reaction speed.
This combination of plyometric and conditioning work keeps GSP in peak shape, improving his speed, balance, and endurance. The mix of sprinting, agility drills, and explosive exercises helps him stay powerful and efficient through every fight.
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Gymnastics and Bodyweight Skills
As George St-Pierre’s career evolved, he began focusing more on mobility, control, and core strength. Moving away from heavy weightlifting, he adopted gymnastics-style workouts that helped him stay agile, coordinated, and strong without adding stress to his joints.
- Shift to gymnastics-based training: GSP replaced traditional lifting with exercises using parallel bars, rings, and the pommel horse. This shift improved his stability, balance, and overall control of body movement.
- Focus on calisthenic holds: His sessions often include handstands, dips on rings, and L-sits. These exercises strengthen his core and shoulders while enhancing endurance and balance.
- Injury-friendly resistance training: To maintain strength while reducing joint pressure, GSP uses Aqualogix water-based resistance tools. These allow him to train effectively with minimal impact on his joints.
- Rehabilitation and discovery: He first started using the Aqualogix system during ACL rehabilitation and continued it afterward for low-impact strength work. It enables him to create his own resistance and target specific muscle groups safely.
GSP’s use of gymnastics and water-based resistance training highlights his focus on smart, sustainable fitness. His approach shows that strength and mobility can be built through control, consistency, and thoughtful movement.
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Weekly Workout Schedule
George St-Pierre’s weekly training plan reflects the consistency and intensity that defined his career. Even when he wasn’t preparing for a fight, his schedule remained demanding, focusing on both skill development and physical conditioning. During fight camps, he often increased the intensity while keeping his structure consistent.
- Training frequency: GSP trains six days a week, usually with two workouts per day — one in the morning and another in the afternoon or evening. This routine helps him balance skill sessions with strength and conditioning work.
- Weekly workout split: His typical schedule includes leg-focused sessions on Monday and Friday, upper-body pull workouts (back training) on Tuesday and Saturday, and upper-body push sessions for chest and shoulders on Wednesday and Sunday.
- Daily session format: Each day begins with a cardio or activation warm-up such as jogging, rowing intervals, or mobility drills. The main session that follows varies between boxing, wrestling, or gym-based strength training.
- Consistency and variety: Even outside of fight camps, GSP maintains this structure, adjusting only the intensity and recovery based on his goals for that period.
- Training environment: He often trains with partners who challenge him in different areas of combat, ensuring every session remains productive and competitive.
GSP describes his schedule simply: he trains six days a week, with two training sessions each day — boxing, grappling, and strength work all balanced around his recovery. This level of consistency and dedication has kept him in peak condition throughout his career.
I train six days a week, two training sessions a day. I box, go [to] the gym and I have a lot of great training partners.
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Daily Workout Routine
George St-Pierre’s workout routine reflects his long-term commitment to discipline, balance, and progress. Every day is designed to challenge both his physical conditioning and technical skill. Even when he isn’t preparing for a fight, he continues training with focus and consistency, keeping himself in peak condition year-round.
- Structured training approach: GSP alternates between skill-based sessions and strength or conditioning workouts throughout the day. This mix allows him to maintain sharp technique while building endurance and explosive strength.
- Morning skill work: Mornings often begin with drills focused on striking or grappling. He might work on wrestling takedowns, padwork, or light technical sparring. Some mornings are dedicated to fasted cardio, which helps boost stamina and improve fat metabolism.
- Afternoon strength and conditioning: Later in the day, GSP transitions to a gym session filled with Olympic-style lifts, circuits, and mobility work. These workouts enhance power, coordination, and overall athletic performance while keeping his movements controlled and efficient.
- Variety and specificity: When a fight is approaching, his routine becomes more focused on MMA-specific drills. He adds sparring rounds, grappling transitions, and striking combinations that replicate the pace and demands of real matches.
- Year-round consistency: Even outside fight camps, GSP maintains his daily rhythm of training six days a week. He often starts each session with activation exercises like rowing intervals or mobility drills to keep his body moving well and prevent injury.
- Commitment to progression: In his own words, he always trains hard when not injured. This mindset keeps his body conditioned and his skills sharp, ensuring no long layoff between training phases.
The George St-Pierre workout plan shows how dedication and balance lead to sustained success. By combining technical sessions with strength and conditioning, he stays prepared both physically and mentally, ready to perform at his best in any situation.
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Workout Diet
George St-Pierre’s diet plan was as structured and disciplined as his workouts. To perform at the highest level, he worked closely with nutritionist Dr. John Berardi and two personal chefs, creating a nutrition routine that fueled recovery, strength, and endurance. His focus was on clean eating, consistent energy, and maintaining lean muscle year-round.
- Daily calorie intake: During fight camps, GSP consumed around 3,200 to 3,500 calories per day, divided into five to six balanced meals. This steady intake helped him sustain long training sessions without energy crashes.
- Macronutrient breakdown: His diet typically included about 250 grams of protein, 350 grams of carbohydrates, and 100 grams of fat daily. These proportions were designed to help him build muscle while staying lean and quick in the octagon.
- Food quality and focus: He prioritized lean protein sources like chicken, fish, and eggs, along with complex carbs such as rice, quinoa, and vegetables. Processed foods were avoided, keeping his meals as natural and nutrient-dense as possible.
- Weight-cutting approach: When preparing to make welterweight, GSP reduced his carb and sodium intake while eating more greens and protein-rich foods. This strategy helped him shed excess water weight without losing strength.
- Post-fight and recovery nutrition: After weigh-ins or intense workouts, he would reintroduce carbs and calories to refuel his body and restore energy levels for optimal performance.
GSP’s consistent approach to nutrition showed that eating well was just as important as training hard. His focus on clean, balanced meals and smart adjustments during fight preparation helped him stay strong, agile, and ready for competition at any time.
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Workout Supplements
George St-Pierre’s supplement routine was designed to keep him performing at his best through long training days and intense fight camps. He preferred natural options and only used supplements that served a clear purpose in his recovery, endurance, and strength.
- Protein shakes: GSP regularly drank two protein shakes each day, often blended with almond milk or water. These shakes helped him meet his daily protein needs, supported muscle repair, and provided quick fuel between meals or before workouts.
- Fish oil: To maintain joint health and reduce inflammation from high-volume training, he took four fish oil capsules daily. This supplement also supported his recovery and helped him stay mobile during demanding sparring and lifting sessions.
- Liver capsules: Known for their nutrient density, liver capsules were part of GSP’s supplement plan to ensure he got a steady source of vitamins and minerals naturally. They provided extra iron, B vitamins, and amino acids for energy and endurance.
- Warrior blend: GSP used a grass-fed “Warrior” blend that supported muscle performance and recovery. The formula emphasized clean, animal-based ingredients that aligned with his preference for natural, whole-food nutrition.
- Multivitamin: A daily multivitamin helped him cover any nutritional gaps and maintain energy throughout his double training sessions. It also supported his immune system during the intense phases of fight preparation.
- Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): During particularly intense camps, he added BCAAs to his regimen to help prevent muscle breakdown, promote recovery, and reduce fatigue between workouts.
George St-Pierre’s supplement strategy was simple and effective. Each choice supported a specific goal—whether it was recovery, joint protection, or strength maintenance—and reflected his dedication to staying healthy and strong through every phase of training.
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References
Georges St-Pierre: The Saint of MMA
Georges St-Pierre’s Kick-Ass Workout
Georges St. Pierre’s Workout Routine & Diet Plan
Georges St-Pierre’s Real Workout Routine & Diet Plan
Photo Credit: Georges St-Pierre at Club Opera, photographed by Bad intentionz on February 17, 2009. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0.