How Charlie Cox Really Trained to Become Daredevil

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When Charlie Cox first landed the role of Matt Murdock, he was out of shape, had never lifted seriously, and had zero martial arts experience. But instead of following the usual Hollywood bodybuilding routine, Charlie trained to move and fight like a real superhero. He earned respect from top MMA coaches, handled most of his own stunt work, and built a body that could take on the brutal fight scenes Daredevil is famous for.

For Daredevil: Born Again, his training has gone even further. Here’s how Charlie went from a complete beginner to a legit fighter — and how you can use the same approach.

Charlie’s Early Foundation: Build Strength, Build Resilience

When Charlie first started, he wasn’t ready to jump into hardcore fight training. His coach Naqeem Washington focused on creating an athletic foundation with:

• Full-body strength work in the 10–15 rep range — using exercises like squats, bench presses, and one-arm rows.

• Joint and tendon resilience — training connective tissue so Charlie could handle intense stunts without injury.

• Explosive power drills — medicine ball slams, weighted jumps, and sled pushes to build speed and aggression for fight scenes.

This approach was crucial. If he’d gone straight into advanced MMA training without this base, he likely would have been injured or overwhelmed.

Athletic Conditioning: Train Like a Fighter, Not a Bodybuilder

Once stronger, Charlie added fighter-style conditioning to build the gas tank needed for Daredevil’s long, one-shot fight scenes. This included:

• Battle ropes and jump rope for upper-body and footwork endurance.

• Hill sprints and sled pushes for explosive cardio.

• High-intensity circuits to train his entire body to move efficiently under fatigue.

Unlike traditional “bro splits,” this training focused on movement, power, and real-world stamina — not just isolated muscle work.

Martial Arts & Fight-Specific Skills

After building strength and conditioning, Charlie leveled up with martial arts training.
He joined Team KF Martial Arts in Ireland, an elite MMA gym run by former pro fighter Chris Fields. Instead of just looking the part, he trained like a real fighter — shadowboxing, heavy bag work, Muay Thai drills, and even light sparring.

By the end of filming, Fields described Charlie’s transformation as “insane” — from an untrained actor to someone who could hang with real fighters.

🔥 Scroll down now to download the full free Daredevil training plan.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified health professional before starting any new training or nutrition program, especially if you have injuries or health concerns.