Herschel Walker, the legendary NFL running back and Georgia football icon, is known not only for his in-field dominance but also for his extreme dedication to fitness.
During the peak of his training, Walker reportedly ate only one meal a day and performed up to 4,000 repetitions of various exercises.
“I think I developed as well as I did because I did so many different things… variety is best,” said Walker.
He usually had a meal in the evening, after skipping breakfast and lunch. He reportedly had salads and bread, but the NFL legends have also been noted to eat Chicken, as well as sweets like Cinnabon and Dairy Queen-dipped cones.
On the other hand, Walker’s daily workout routine included a mix of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and other body-weight exercises.
Walker Credits His Meal Plan and Workout for Longevity in Football
He has often credited his intense workout and discipline for his incredible durability and longevity, which has lasted over 12 seasons in the NFL, as well as a few seasons in the USFL.
The NFL legend has also claimed that the diet plan enabled him to maintain peak condition without relying on extreme diets or intense gym workouts.
He followed his extreme fitness routine for over two decades, from his college days at the University of Georgia through his time in the NFL, USFL, and beyond.
The former Dallas man had also never used any alcohol or any other drugs; however, he doesn’t recommend adapting his fitness regimen for everyone.
Apart from his diet and workout, he has also credited his philosophy and mindset as key to his journey as a professional.
“People always talk to me about my workout, and I always say that my workout came from reading books,” said Walker.
On his mindset, he said, “I think I developed as well as I did because I did so many different things… variety is best.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In Walker’s 12-season NFL career, he played 187 games total for four different teams: the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants.
- He set a professional football record with 2,411 rushing yards in a single season in 1985 and accumulated a total of 5,562 rushing yards over three seasons.
- As of October 2025, he was chosen as an Ambassador to the Bahamas by the U.S. Senate.
