What Can Rocky IV Teach You?

cool. I can dig rocky in russia. Dolf is so hot as drago.
;)

my motivation comes in a package – he’s about 70cm tall, weighs in at about 9kg, and is about 6 months old! his name is Ezra, and he’s just the most awesome little man on the planet! he totally rocks my world, starting each day with a smile as bright as the sun!
he’s my motivation to stay fit & healthy and get really strong…
RockON….(oh and btw…the 1st Rocky movie is my fave….”adriaaaaaannnnnn”;)
nicky

Rocky IV was good.

But I would have to rate it as number 4 out of the 6 to be honest.

They go in this order:

1. Rocky II
2. Rocky
3. Rocky III
4. Rocky IV
5. Rocky Balboa
6. Rocky V

Just my opinion ;)

Rocky IV goes for only just over an hour, and I’m pretty sure about 45 minutes of it is the training montage.

Still one of the greats however.

Motivation is wanting to live anad enjoy life to the fullest and hellp others to do the same. Couch potatoes can’t do that too well. ;-)

Let face it, everyone that workout wants a kickass body to attract the
opposite sex. There are other additonal reason, but this is the number 1 reason.

‘I will break you’

i have seen that movie and i agree the source of motivation can overcome the extreme odds, my sense of motivation comes from my wife who from the start of the day tells me that i am over weight which i think i am not, and tells me to do some thing about it, well no wonder man cant defeat women in talking, but it inspires me to do some thing about it, and than i go on and hit gym and diet pretty hard

U bet..Rocky4 is without a doubt an all time gr8 movie….i myself get motivated and it gives me an adrenaline rush every time i watch this DVD…

DUDE!!! Rocky IV is the bomb. I too watched it a million times. Now that I’m older I appreciate it in a different way than when I was a kid. As a matter of fact during some of my cardio circuit training workouts I play the ROCKY IV soundtrack on my ipod…that gets me going and motivates the crap out of me…I agree that ROCKY IV is the best of all Rockies and the worst has to be a tie between ROCKY V and BALBOA.

I think what motivates me is the fact that since I grew up in an African upbringing, people value being out of shape and overweight as a prize..they consider it beauty. And to me, I grew up in a society where being out of shape and overweight is not a prize but rather a curse. ANd through research I have found that I am definitely headed for doom if I continue to eat unhealthy. And I always get the criticism from my family about my weight ever since I was about 9 . I wasnt a skinny person by nature but I had a slim curvy physique. But that ended after I was hospitalized for some health conditions. And the medication I was on during those times caused me to gain weight afterward.

And they think that just cause I have stretch marks it means I will gain weight. Just cause I drink a lot of water means I will gain weight. And just cause I have cellulite means I will be fat in future. OF COURSE, my goal is to look my best and live healthier but that desire is not too solid in my opinion as to prove someone wrong .. Anything can happen, And I can be discouraged. But if my motivation is the fact that I want to prove my family wrong by letting them know that even if I have stretchmarks it isnt my ultimate destiny of doom to look out of shape. But by consistently changing my eating habits and working out properly, I can be in the best shape of my life with or without the stretchmarks!!

Sorry, I wrote too much :P

Rocky IV… AWESOME!!! When he goes to Russia and has to resort to old school methods while Dolph uses all that technologically advanced gear and then gets his butt handed to him. Everytime I watch it I get all pumped to go train.

PS Running in snow is a killer…

W/o a doubt Rocky 4 is the best. The song in the movie “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper is awesome and very motivating. I am a former NFL player who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005. My motivation is to not be a handicap! I am an athlete and yes some things have been taken away from me BUT that won’t stop me from being the best physically and spiritually that I can possibly be.

Wow! Ramondo, I loved your comment. For you to turn that around like that is amazing! And a true inspiration :D

I too LOVE Rocky IV, and i love the fact you can get buff without fancy gym equipment. Many people get caught up in the idea that if they can’t make it to the gym, there is NO WAY of getting a good workout in. I SO disagree! Bodyweight workouts can be made very challenging, and it is definitely better then doing nothing at all :D

I get my inspiration, along with MANY other women, for Holly’s ClubFYM. They pull me up, and push me forward on days I jut wish I could stay in bed! Also knowing summer is coming up is a great resource of motivation. Hee hee hee. Being the new mom of a 7 mnth old girl make it SO inspirational to look my best EVER! I can do it! And so can YOU! :D

Just realised i’m not 100% sure what originally motivated me to try and change! Which is probably why i have never got into the shape i wanted ( i always got close), i always knew what i had to do, just never did it for long enough. My motivation is now trying to become a better person than i was, a more dedicated person, an acheiver. That’s what’s spurring me on this time and the results are appearing, slowly..but surely, whether this is enough of motivation to get me to the end i don’t know, but i’ll give it everything. Rocky 4 is my best in the catergory of best training/fight scene!!! I mean if watching i guy shoulder press a cart full of people. isn’t motivating, i don’t know what is :D

Yep, no doubt that “No Easy Way Out” gave me goosebumps and still does every time I hear that song. If that doesnt motivate you (in context) I dont know what would. What inspires me? Well basically wanting to be the best thatI can be and KNOWING through Joels experience that it is possible.
J.C.

I have to agree on Rocky IV being the best of the Rocky films….. but more to the point I agree with the motivation idea. So many times I’ve fallen off the wagon due to lack of motivation.

This time I have the best reason. To improve my health and get back into half my wardrobe! It’s hard getting to the public baths at 7 for a pre work swim, but I am finding it’s getting easier, I’m feeling much better after only a couple of weeks and I can get into those skinny jeans again!!! (I’m sure another week or so and I’ll even be able to move in them LOL).

Keep up the motivation guys!

Great movies all of them and yes great motivation

My short term goal is to lose 9 lbs per month so I can be 108 lbs lighter and healthier this time next year. I want to be a good role model for my grandson. I want him to be excited about be healthy. I do need help in getting him motivated to exercise and eat smaller portions. He’ll be 12 this month and is morbidly obese as I am morbidly obese. I would appreciate your help for him and myself. I have a bad back so some exercises bother it.
PLEASE HELP US TO LIVE LONG HEALTHY LIVES !
GOD’S BLESSINGS

Rocky IV is the best. As for motivation, I’ve found alot of things that help: Seeing 80-90 yr olds who have and havn’t taken care of their bodies, playing with my children, training High schoolers, keeping around a pair of pants that I met my wife in and making sure that they still fit, competing in powerlifting, and one great quote:
“If you don’t find time for fitness, you’ll have to make time for illness.”

Which are the greatest dumbbells that you spoke of?

The best dumbbells are Power Blocks…I hope you were referring to Power Blocks.

Cheers!

Thanks Joel for the email reminding me that it is the things that motivate us that keep us going. I have been struggling to stay motivated for some time now and I can attest that it is much easier to eat the delicious, quick snacks around the house. In all the years, yes years, that I have been up and down with my weight I struggle with the motivational piece. I am not a real girly girl, so I am not interested in rewards such as manicures, etc. I still today am trying to find a true motivation for myself. I don’t know why it eludes me, but the fact is, it does. I truly believe that until this piece comes together for me, I will never find a way to keep motivated to reach my goals and stay there. Sad but true. I also love Rocky IV, only because I too am amazed at what he accomplished and without all the fancy equipment. Someday I hope to find something that will motivate me and stay with me til the end. Thanks for the email reminding me that I need to keep looking so I too can have true success.

Rocky III is the best with Mr T.

my motivation comes from john cena, the most amazing WWE superstar of all time…i wanna be just like him…

I have always been in good shape, but never exercised regularly. I played ball and tennis a lot and stayed in shape. As I got busier,and older, I got more sedintary. I joined a gym and do basic things, but was not being invigorated. I saw your emails and took a chance and read what you had to say. I have altered my workouts because of your info and will let you know what the results are, but I feel better in just a week! Yes, I agree, Rocky IV was a great lesson in determination. I love all the Rocky moies and have seen them all over 25 times!!!Thanks for the tips.
Mark

My biggest motivation is to feel and look my best. There are so many health issues associated with being overweight. I have decided to take control of my life and to use food for exactly what it is; fuel for the body. I use to take comfort in eating but now I have gotten involved in other things to keep me busy so I think less about food. I have started learning a new language. Just seeing the changes in my body, how I now feel and look is very motivating for me. Now when I look in the mirror I can smile.

Sorry Joel, but given the choice between Rocky III and IV, I gotta go with III. I mean how do you give the nod to Ivan Drago over Clubber Lang? Rocky III has just a smidge more bad 80′s music than IV. Drago does punk out Rock, but not nearly as bad as when Mr. T emasculates Rocky in front of his wife. By the end of Rocky III you feel like you are the one throwing punches. Just to humor you, here is an exerpt from one of my blog posts with a summary of Rocky IV……

“Summary: Rocky Balboa defeats Heavyweight Champion Clubber Lang (Mr. T) in a rematch for the title. Rocky, with the help of Apollo Creed and a crappy Survivor song, learned to box lefty in hopes of regaining his man-sack. Meanwhile, over in the Soviet Union, the Russians decided that they want to be the kings of boxing. Via the use of superduper technology, steroids, and bad 80’s hair gel, Ivan Drago is created. Drago now wants a shot, but he’ll have to go through Apollo first (in an exhibition fight…Rocky is just not interested. He is however, interested in Drago’s 6′5″ Sasquatchian girlfriend Emma Hugh Jore). James Brown sings, Apollo gets killed, Rocky gets down, and Rock gets called a puss* by his own wife (You can’t win Rock..you can’t win). Rock should have really dumped Adrian Balboa for Adrienne Barbeau, but Rocky is a man’s man, he is the working class stiff who became the Champion because he just worked hard and had the most heart. Rocky trains in Northern Canada/Siberia (same place, but the women in Canada shave their armpits). Drago trains hard and gets regular B12 injections while Sly is lifting rocks and jogging along the countryside. Rock defeats Drago in front of the head of the USSR as millions upon millions of fans chant his name, “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky”. We are led to believe that Rocky was “clean” and that Drago was “dirty”. Drago cheated, but the good guy still won. The good guy should always win.”

later Joel

Sorry, I failed to mention Motivation.

Motivation is the reflection in the mirror. It is the answer to the question, “Am I satisfied?”. It is the goal, the prize, the 8% bodyfat. It is the reason behind the drive….kinda like Rocky (III not IV).

joe louis vs max schmeling? 2nd fight? with Hitler in audience?

hey whats up?
i want to get on the cover of men´s health magazine in germany. thats my goal. another motivation occurs every day. getting out of teh shower , seeing myself in the mirror and think your arms are not big enough, there´s a lil fat left on your abs.

Love it…we ALL need to reaffirm our TRUE motivation for working out!!!

You are correct!!!!!!!!!!!!

My motivation is that I want to be able to wake up and be happy with who I am and the body I have. I want to be able to help other people when I can and I cant do that if I am going to be stuck around doing nothing. By transforming myself I can better control my life and make a difference in the life’s of others.

Hi Joel Marion, just what say this very good web page you got runing here & i love what you wright,

i’m sorry if my reply might seem that have a go at you but i am not it is just i have Dyslexic.

it very funny you talk about this film as motivation, Sly Stallone took his motivation from Steve Reeves one best physiques going,

Steve Reeves was what bodybuilding was all about proportioned, balanced, beautiful body, he was what got so many people motivation.

so if the true bodybuilding men & women of 50′s to late 70′s was not born, there would be no films like rocky.

My motivation is preparing for my first contest, which falls in summer 2010. If I don’t have goals it is very easy for me to be undisciplined. In other words, and more attractive, my goal is to become Mr. México Jr.

great stuff joel , keep it coming

Has anyone ever tried the Ironmaster Dumbells? How do those compare to the PowerBlocks?

The best Rocky is the one you’ve just watched. Really! I love them all and have watched each many, many times, often multiple times in a row. They’re the BEST motivation EVER! (in a movie – got to agree with nicky, though, motivation comes in a packages – packages for me – little bundles of joy).

I seem to be built for endurance, but not really very fast… I started training sporadically because I wanted to show that it’s possible to do stuff like a half-marathon or triathlon without being as skinny as a fence rail. And because I was inspired by my dad who runs insane stuff like alpine-marathons and 100-k events (but at his pace):-)
I had a training ban because of a torn tendon, and now I’m back :-) Right now I have two main motivations: I want to be able to RUN at least part of a half-marathon (my dad is slowing his pace and doing one with me in may) and RUN the foot stretch (10-k) of the triathlon. The second is kind of connected – to be running regularly, I need to lose some more weight (102 right now – actually lost a couple kg already), otherwise my joints aren’t going to keep up with me :-) My goal right now is 10 kg by end of aug – my dream is to be down another 10 kg by end of this year (some people have been saying I need to lose more weight than that – but since I plan on building up muscles at the same time as getting rid of fat, I’m not really planning on more – I don’t want to be too skinny, since I like having some curves).
Anyhoo, sorry, this ended up being a bit longer than planned…

Joel, I will have to respectfully disagree with your assessment regarding “Rocky IV”. I do appreciate the fact, however, that you’re one of the first people not to proclaim the original one as best film. I’m a “Rocky II” man myself. The scene where his beloved wife Adrian awakes from her coma and tells Rocky, I want you to do one thing for me…win…WIN!!!” gets me every time…My lifelong commitment to physical improvement began when I almost got my puny ass kicked by a girl during freshman year. Although I like to think I’ve come a long way since that day over 20 years ago, I still remind myself that she’s probably grown a lot bigger as well (smile). That event was certainly a catalyst, but I now I simply enjoy the personal challenges weight training invariably presents. THANK YOU for all the great articles and helpful insight!!

I want to be as well known as a Charles Poliquin. Also, I want to be an NHL Strength Coach. Finding ways to keep athletes strong and injury free. That motivates me, to stand out and not be like everyone else. As Duke says in Rocky 4, “your going to have to go through hell and face worst than any nightmare you ever dreamed but in the end you will come out on top” …..something like that.

Joel, dude, I’m a huge movie buff too. As far as the Rocky movies go, I really liked Rocky III – in fact I wrote a post with a video inspiration from Rocky III:
Seize the Day – There Is No Tomorrow. What Apollo said really struck with me – “…there is no tomorrow.”

But yeah – that fight against Ivan Drago in IV was killer. Pure underground training VS. the Russian lab super-fighter.

As for my motivation/reason why – I put some of my thoughts in this post:
Your Reason Why for Getting a Hot Body… Or Any Other Goal

Cheers,

Yavor

What motivates me? Just one word – disgusted. I am disgusted with the last four to five kilos which I can’t shed. Feeling disgusted and frustrated just kicks my butt up to exercise. You see nothing like positive, enjoyable, serene etc…etc…

Rocky IV has been my sole motivation for training =]

After seeing the ripples on Rocky’s body as he takes his robe off just before the pair face off, and the pec-flex as he struts to face Ivan Drago.. Ah man i got so jealous i just kept training and pushing my body to its absolute limits to get something similar..

Joel, you have an awesome taste in movies =]

My motivation is to look and feel my very best. Happy is attractive! Confidence is sexy! As a single 38 year old I want a partner who is motivated and energetic in all aspects of life, so that is who I will be.

I’ve carried excess weight for most of my life, and now I don’t. I’m lean, fit strong and healthy, and rarely get ill. I used to be told ‘You have a great body (for your age)’. Now I’m told ‘You have a great body’.

Everyone assumes I am much younger than I am :)

I think my greatest motivation is when my body is fit, strong and healthy which results in my mind working in just the same way. So I’m indirectly striving to be at my best: mentally.
Now, for more motivation, Im gonna get that movie!!

My motivation is for my kids but also for myself as well. Being over weight and having to litterally drag your self around all day is no fun at all.
I used to be so active, and then once I got sick it was all down hill from there.
So Yeah basically I want my life back so I can feel better look better and be the kind of mum my kids deserve.
As far as any Rocky movie goes………LOVE the motivation……but not the violence. (JMO) ;)

I find it too easy at times to just skip the workouts. I really want to be healthy for my grown up kids, as an example to them. Also with a married daughter I want to be around for my grandkids. That is a very big motivator to me.

My motivational reasons are shallow – dropping 25 kg to look stunning on my 50th Birthday. If better health is a by-product then bring it on.

Not a big Rocky fan overall, although Sylvester Stallone is a clever guy and essentially designed that part for himself and pulled it off fantastically. Can’t say I’m THAT familiar with the films, but I guess you could say I am familiar with the character. There is one scene that stays with me from the Rocky films, and that is the most recent one, where he’s already retired and just wants to come back for one last hurrah. His son is an adult, and throughout the film his son is embarresed by Rocky or feels he’s living in his fathers shadow. The scene in that film that gets me is when he confronts his father about how he feels. And Rocky pull shim up by his bootstraps and says “Hey, what the hell? It’s your life, you have to live it the best way for YOU, your own way and by your own steam! And this is my life and I play by those same rules. If you’re going to be the “somebody” you want to be, then do it and don’t look around for excuses, especially don’t blame somebody else! Life AIN’T fair and there ain’t gonna be anything tougher than it. You gonna stand up and do what you have to, or are you gonna stand around and complain about how unfair it all is? Coz I can tell you, it ain’t gonna happen while you have THAT attitude”. More or less. That was not a “word-for-word” of the actual monologue, but that was the gist of it. And he was right.

I have been in Denmark for the past 15 months on a church mission. I have gained about 15 pounds on the luscious Danish pastry and constant potatoes that the members feed us. I am going back home to the states in March and I am determined to lose the weight I have gained before that, and then about 10 pounds more after I return. Following Cheat your way thin has given me a good start. Thanks!

At the end of every workout, I like to tell myself “You are stronger now than you’ve ever been before.” ….”He is made of steel.” lol

Hey thanks for the Rocky IV reminder, great movie and I think I’ll try to watch that soon, haven’t seen it in a long time! I LOVE how creative he has to get in his training. I have to say too that I still love “Gonna Fly Now” from the original movie and everytime I hear it on my workout playlist I can’t help but push harder! If you can hear that, haing seen the movie and not get pumped up there’s something wrong! Haha. My greatest motivation is my 2 grandbabies. I’m a fairly young grandmother and cherish what my health can mean in terms oif being a good example and doing all the things I want to do with them! I also simply love being strong! In addition, I’ve had some challenges with my fitness and I get charged up when I try new things with myself and discover ways to improve and get to share it with other people.

My motivation is my own personal happiness.Being overweight constantly overshadowed my own personal joy.So I’m working hard towards being happy…Not much of a Rocky fan but I get what you’re saying about the message behind it.

The love of my life, her name’s Ceci.
I mean I just want to be the best man possible for her, so I do my best to achieve that goal. I just love her so much!!!
♥

Gotta say its my girl… Tipical right? welllllll, not really…! Every time I see get happy for how I look, it makes me value what I do to get in shape! Belive it or not, making omebody happy other than yourself is much more a reward!! Just wanted to say that!

bummer, I was eating a box of Artisan vermont white cheddar wheat thins
when I read this..maybe thats why I don’t have a 6 pack…

Hello Joel,

What you say about the Rocky series is true. Im a huge fan of the series but my favourite is Rocky III. I too have have faced a similar situation where i was on top of the world and had the rug pulled away from under me. To get back up is tough and the determination required is tremendous. Rocky IV is my next favourite, especially the training in the wilderness. But what really peps me up when im down..”Eye of the tiger”..”..just a man and his will to survive”.

regards

Having to avenge the death of your friend, sure is pretty strong motivation. That strong motivation I can not claim. For me it is winning the admiration and respect of a dear one who thinks I won’t be able to make it.

My main motivation is to look and feel great! At 25 I am now in better physical shape then I was when I was 18, which also motivates me to keep up my diet and fitness regime.

My family is also a big motivation for me. Everyone in my family, except my Grandfather, is overweight and unhappy. My Grandfather is 72 and has been involved with the fitness industry his whole life. He is in better shape then most people 50 years his senior and loves life. He is my inspiration, he is living proof that you can have an amazing body at any age!!!

Hey Joel,

I totally agree that Rocky 4 was awesome.It’s hard for me to choose and say which was best though, because in every film Rocky has to overcome a different obstacle. In each film he is afrai of that looming obstacle but then he finds the will and overcomes it !
By the way, I have the Rocky music themes on my MP4 and it’s what gets me out of bed in the morning to do my workout !!

I tell myself ‘while he s eating am gonna think of something else and in 1 minute when he’s finished i m going to feel better, I didn t need it’, and then I remember all the times I ate something I shouldn t or did not excersise for a few days how lazy and heavy I felt..much prefer reflecting my energetic and happy self!

My problem is that I am toast because I can’t seem to find the motivation. Helllllppp!

My motivation is the kind of work that I do (or want to do at the moment). It’s in the performance arts and you’d have to be in your best shape in order to do it. That said, from time to time it does creep into mind to sleep in whenever I wake up at 6AM to exercise :)
Good post Joel. We all need to remind ourselves about these things from time to time.

Couldn’t agree more about Rocky IV though the Russian attitude portrayed in the film is more of a dramatization than a reflection of reality.

The scene where Rocky climbs a snowy peak and shouts “DRAAAGOOOOO!!!” has my adrenaline pumping hard any day.

My motivation is multi pronged- I would love to present myself as an intimidatingly strong opponent to anyone who wants to mess with me (this comes in handy, specially if you’re a real nice guy and punks tend to take that for granted), the sight and sounds of relatives and friends look at my physique in awe, I have a picture I Googled on my desktop (wallpaper)- it shows a severely obese guy who over the years transformed himself into a lean muscular hunk and finally the greatest motivation that I want to be an example of good health, dedication, reason and kindness for my kids (when I’ll eventually have them)….