WWE fans have known for many years that Cesaro is one of the most exciting stars in pro wrestling, but in 2021 the 6'5 inch mat master's career really took off into the stratosphere. In April, at WrestleMania 37, the “Swiss Cyborg” finally wrestled his first individual match at the “Show of Shows” in Tampa and not only won against Seth Rollins, but also gave us an unforgettable moment from the self-proclaimed Messiah no less swing than 23 times.
After pushing Roman Reigns to the limit at WrestleMania: BackLash in May, the Swiss Superman takes a sensible approach to his own health and fitness, believing that to live long he must focus on recovery and capitalizing on the latest advances in technology so that he can stay the course on his way to his first world title.
Muscle & Fitness sat down with Cesaro to find out how his attitude towards exercise had evolved over the years and soon discovered his enthusiasm for the prospect of performing again in front of live audiences around the world.
If you don't love Cesaro something is wrong with you #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/I1g3UR0gpy
—Alex (@ Easley91) April 11, 2021
During an April 2014 M&F cover shoot with John Cena, Cesaro had worked out at the same gym and couldn't resist getting into the action and squatting 495 pounds that day. “Today I walk a little easier because I may have aged a little,” laughs Cesaro. “But I'm still getting heavy. I mean, I just had another tough day two days ago and I feel it today! But I still like to lift heavy loads and still like to train for functionality. But because I've matured a bit, I know I need to choose my lifting days a bit wiser.
“The little kids just go to the gym and start to squat heavily and I say, 'I need to warm up a little bit' (laughs), but I'm definitely still lifting heavy. I'm still a huge fan of the one-armed snatch, and if there's something in the gym like the atlas stones or something I've never done before, I'll always give it a try. You had the breadboard the other day at a gym. I just love trying new things. The fitness industry is really developing that fast. "
While Cesaro enjoys trying new ways to move and stay in shape, he's still "old school" at heart. “I love bodyweight exercises,” says Cesaro. “People always ask me what I would recommend to anyone starting out (with an apprenticeship). I always say the same thing. There are pushups, squats, and situps. That's bread and butter. And then you can start adding pull-ups, you can add lunges. I love bodyweight stuff because we travel a lot and beat up our bodies in the ring, so sometimes it's really good to work out without extra weights on the joints and muscles. Bodyweight exercises build cardio, they build endurance and good form. You still get such a good workout. "
Recognize the importance of rest and relaxation
Courtesy of WWE
“I've been doing that for a while,” says Cesaro. “It may be a little more in focus (today), but I feel like I've started stretching more since my shoulder surgery and then stretching became a big part of my daily routine. I always try to find new ways to help with recovery and longevity. I have a fitness tracker that tracks my sleep and helps me. I feel that the world is doing better now when it comes to making "recreation" more of a common word and something that people do, and I understand the meaning of that.
“Because it used to be that people would just lift hard and then things like physical therapy were something people only had after an injury, but no, those are things that should be done all the time. I got these air compression sleeves last year and they will help you recover your legs and hips. Injury prevention is very important. I've always trained on functionality and not on looks. "
Cesaro is also known for wearing kinesiology tape during his WWE matches. “Today you see a lot of people wearing it,” says the Swiss Superman. “It helps, and even if it just reminds you to maintain your posture, or to keep the muscles in place, or even if it's just the mental aid to hold your shoulder back, or whatever, to me it is little things that go a long way over time. There is no such thing as a miracle pill or a miracle supplement ... you have to put the work on top of it, but if there's one thing that helps you, it's great. "
Reunion with the WWE Universe
WWE was forced to suspend its tour schedule in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Cesaro's recent successes in WWE will soon be enjoyed again by fans around the world. This week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown from the Toyota Center in Houston will be the first with fans in attendance for 17 months. Then there's Money in the Bank from Fort Worth, TX on Sunday, but Cesaro may be even more looking forward to returning to the UK in September. "I miss (fans) so much," says the former US champion, desperately bowing his head. “I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I say that what you miss most is the things you take for granted. I've always loved traveling for UK tours, twice a year, I've looked forward to it and I've loved it, it's exhausting, travel-wise, but I don't care, I love it.
“Get up early and walk around Newcastle, London, Cardiff and Glasgow ... I would sleep in, get up as early as possible, work out and then just explore the cities. We missed a year but it feels like forever and it's so good that we are going back because we missed that, our fans missed it and now we can fully enjoy it again. I may be a bit biased, but the European times are the best! "
Play your cards right
When he's back on the road, Cesaro swears by card game training. "I spoke to Tyson Kidd (former tag team partner) the other day and the card game is one of his favorite workouts and it's also one of my favorite cardio workouts," says Cesaro. "It's great when I'm on the go and maybe there isn't a gym."
Always set new goals
With 2021 being a stellar year for Cesaro, he would be forgiven for resting on his laurels, but while the culmination of his years of involvement with WrestleMania 37 is paying off, the Swiss cyborg is still very much on a mission to rise to the top of WWE . “I mean, it was an incredible moment. I will never forget it, probably my favorite game of my career so far. That was definitely something very special on so many levels, ”he says. “But was that the 'culmination point'? After that, when I thought about it ... I hope not. I still have to win the WWE Championship or the Universal Championship! "
