MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

The Rock Isn’t Ruling Out A White House Bid

The Rock Isn’t Ruling Out A White House Bid

The Rock Shares the Toughest Workout of His Black Adam Training

The Rock Shares the Toughest Workout of His Black Adam Training

The Rock Shared His Black Adam Chest And Triceps Workout... And Damn

The Rock Shared His Black Adam Chest And Triceps Workout... And Damn

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Is Still Considering A Presidential Run

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Is Still Considering A Presidential Run

{headline}

{headline}

The Rock’s Cheat Day Meals Are Absolutely Drool-Worthy

The Rock’s Cheat Day Meals Are Absolutely Drool-Worthy

The Rock Wants To Create A Testicle-Scented Candle

The Rock Wants To Create A Testicle-Scented Candle

This Guy Trained Like The Rock For 60 Days And Actually Saw Decent Gains

This Guy Trained Like The Rock For 60 Days And Actually Saw Decent Gains

{headline}

{headline}

Working Out With The Rock Made Comedian Jack Whitehall Pee Himself

Working Out With The Rock Made Comedian Jack Whitehall Pee Himself

Of Course, The Rock Beats Jet Lag By Going To The Gym

Of Course, The Rock Beats Jet Lag By Going To The Gym

The Rock Just Revealed The Epic Gym He Built On His Farm

The Rock Just Revealed The Epic Gym He Built On His Farm

The Rock Shares Gruesome Details of the 'Hobbs & Shaw' Fight Scene That Got Cut By Censors

The Rock Shares Gruesome Details of the 'Hobbs & Shaw' Fight Scene That Got Cut By Censors

The Rock on Depression: 'You've Got to Talk About It, and You're Not Alone'

The Rock on Depression: 'You've Got to Talk About It, and You're Not Alone'

6 Dwayne Johnson Quotes To Dad By

6 Dwayne Johnson Quotes To Dad By

The Rock's Strength Coach Breaks Down His Explosive Leg Day Workout

The Rock's Strength Coach Breaks Down His Explosive Leg Day Workout

  1. Home
  2. Fatherhood

The Rock Shares The WeightLifting Lessons His Dad Taught Him In His First Workout

His pro wrestling father gave him a painful first session - by Alex Pierotti
  • 31 Mar 2020

Most aspiring lifters turn to The Rock when they're seeking inspiration or pointers. But have you ever wondered where the actor learned the ropes himself? In a candid new vlog, Dwayne Johnson is telling the story about the first lessons he learned in the gym from his father, pro wrestling legend Rocky Johnson. 

WATCH: Kevin Hart Explains What It's Like To Workout With The Rock

Filmed in his personal gym, the Iron Paradise, following a lower body training session, Johnson answered a fan's question about the knowledge he's picked up during his career,. 

"I first started working out when I was 12 years old," says Johnson.

"My first official workout was with my dad, Rocky Johnson, rest in peace old man, he passed away January 15th of this year."

When I Began Working Out: Q&A's While We #StayHome

While Johnson has always shown gratitude and respect towards his father, he didn't hold back in describing how tough he was. 

"My dad was a workout beast and animal and he was built like a brick house," he shares.

"I would always go to the gym with my dad and watch him on the weekends, but wasn't allowed to work out. so I'd just watch him and all his OG buddies in the gym, training hard and clang and bang, those old school dudes. So 12 years old in Hawaii, my dad finally said, 'Alright you can come to the gym with me'."

One piece of advice stuck with Johnson.

"'Listen. You're gonna work your ass off. I don't want any bullshit.' He goes, 'Whatever you put on the bar, when we do bench press, you have got to push it up. Whatever weight you choose, you've got to push it up, out of the hole," Johnson recalls.

RELATED: Of Course The Rock beats Jet Lag By Going To The Gym

Johnson's first lifts proved he was human after all: he lifted 42kg off his chest with no issues. His old man suggested adding a further 2.5kg on either side by Johnson wanted to add 5kg on each as people started to watch. 

He struggled, barely pushing the "weight out of the hole". That didn't stop him from adding a further 5kg, now hoping to move 60kg despite barely being able to lift a lighter weight. 

"I don't know why by the way because I had a fucked up afro and acne all over the place, but I was still feeling myself," Johnson laughs.

His father helped him push the weight off the rack but it wasn't long before it pinned him down. 

"I started to panic and my dad was standing over me saying 'Push the weight up, push the weight up!'" says Johnson.

"I'm getting embarrassed, I'm panicking. And my dad says 'I'm not helping you, I told you.' And there's a big scene in the gym..."

RELATED: 6 Dwayne Johnson Quotes To Dad By

Noticeably embarrassed and angry, his father made him pick up the weights before offering him a sage piece of advice. 

"He said, 'Don't worry about other people looking at you. Don't ego train. Don't ever train for your ego. It doesn't matter, who gives a shit who's watching you? You train for results and you train with weight you can control.' That's how you're gonna be a master basically in the gym, is what he was trying to say," Johnson continues. 

The biggest takeaways from Johnson's first experience in the gym?

"Two lessons out of this: Don't ego train at all—this generally applies to men. We are the ones with egos in the gym," he says. "Don't ego train, don't train for your ego. Train for results. And throw on weight that you can handle."

  • Fitness
  • Fatherhood
Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti is the Digital Content Editor for Men's Health Australia, with experience reporting on health, fitness and sport. With a Journalism degree from UNSW under his belt, he got his start working in TV, working on the live broadcast of the Intrust Super Shute Shield on 7TWO before making the switch to print and digital at Pacific Magazines.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

The Rock Isn’t Ruling Out A White House Bid

The Rock Isn’t Ruling Out A White House Bid

The Rock Shares the Toughest Workout of His Black Adam Training

The Rock Shares the Toughest Workout of His Black Adam Training

The Rock Shared His Black Adam Chest And Triceps Workout... And Damn

The Rock Shared His Black Adam Chest And Triceps Workout... And Damn

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Is Still Considering A Presidential Run

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Is Still Considering A Presidential Run

{headline}

{headline}

The Rock’s Cheat Day Meals Are Absolutely Drool-Worthy

The Rock’s Cheat Day Meals Are Absolutely Drool-Worthy

The Rock Wants To Create A Testicle-Scented Candle

The Rock Wants To Create A Testicle-Scented Candle

This Guy Trained Like The Rock For 60 Days And Actually Saw Decent Gains

This Guy Trained Like The Rock For 60 Days And Actually Saw Decent Gains

{headline}

{headline}

Working Out With The Rock Made Comedian Jack Whitehall Pee Himself

Working Out With The Rock Made Comedian Jack Whitehall Pee Himself

Of Course, The Rock Beats Jet Lag By Going To The Gym

Of Course, The Rock Beats Jet Lag By Going To The Gym

The Rock Just Revealed The Epic Gym He Built On His Farm

The Rock Just Revealed The Epic Gym He Built On His Farm

The Rock Shares Gruesome Details of the 'Hobbs & Shaw' Fight Scene That Got Cut By Censors

The Rock Shares Gruesome Details of the 'Hobbs & Shaw' Fight Scene That Got Cut By Censors

The Rock on Depression: 'You've Got to Talk About It, and You're Not Alone'

The Rock on Depression: 'You've Got to Talk About It, and You're Not Alone'

6 Dwayne Johnson Quotes To Dad By

6 Dwayne Johnson Quotes To Dad By

The Rock's Strength Coach Breaks Down His Explosive Leg Day Workout

The Rock's Strength Coach Breaks Down His Explosive Leg Day Workout

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now