When you think of dominant NFL running backs, the name Derrick Henry immediately comes to mind. The Tennessee Titans’ powerhouse has made a name for himself with his remarkable size, speed, and ability to bulldoze through defenders. At 6’3″ and weighing in at over 250 pounds, Henry is an absolute force on the field, and his physicality has earned him the nickname “King Henry.” But what’s the secret behind his jaw-dropping strength and unmatched endurance? It’s all in his insane workout routine and dedicated diet.

Here’s an inside look at the training regimen and nutrition plan that fuel one of the most physically imposing athletes in the NFL.

Derrick Henry’s Workout Routine: Power, Endurance, and Explosiveness

Henry’s workouts are as legendary as his performances on the field. His training is a combination of explosive drills, strength training, and agility work, all designed to keep him in top shape and ready to take on the league’s toughest defenders. But what really sets his workouts apart is their intensity.

1. Sled Pushes & Pulls

One of the key elements of Henry’s training is his sled pushes and pulls, which are designed to build both strength and explosiveness. The sled push is a total-body exercise that works his quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core, helping him generate the raw power needed to plow through defenders. By adding resistance with weight plates, Henry is able to simulate the intense contact he faces in games, improving his ability to push through tackles and gain those crucial extra yards after contact.

2. Hill Sprints

To build explosive speed and agility, Henry incorporates hill sprints into his workout routine. Sprinting uphill forces his body to engage more muscles, helping him develop power in his legs and improving his acceleration. The incline adds an additional challenge to his sprinting form, making it an ideal exercise for building both speed and endurance, which is crucial for a running back who has to outrun defenders in the open field.

3. Compound Lifts: Deadlifts, Squats, & Bench Press

To keep his body strong and resilient, Derrick Henry’s strength training includes heavy compound lifts such as deadlifts, squats, and the bench press. These lifts target the major muscle groups in the body, helping Henry maintain his massive size while also ensuring his muscles are strong enough to absorb hits and shed tacklers. Squats, in particular, are a go-to exercise for Henry to develop his lower body strength, allowing him to explode out of his stance and power through would-be tacklers.

Deadlifts focus on his posterior chain (lower back, glutes, hamstrings), which is crucial for his ability to run through tackles.
Squats build his leg strength and endurance, making him a force when it comes to driving forward and gaining yards after contact.
The bench press is essential for his upper body strength, enabling him to stiff-arm defenders and create separation when needed.

4. Plyometric Exercises

Plyometrics are explosive exercises designed to improve an athlete’s speed and vertical jump. For Henry, plyometric exercises like box jumps, lateral bounds, and jump squats are essential in developing his quick-twitch muscle fibers. These explosive movements help improve his ability to accelerate off the line and make sharp cuts while maintaining top speed.

5. Agility Drills

Agility is crucial for any running back, and Henry doesn’t neglect this aspect of his training. He incorporates ladder drills, cone drills, and shuttle runs to enhance his footwork and change of direction. While he may not be known for quick, juking moves like some smaller backs, these drills help him become more elusive, enabling him to avoid tacklers and break free on long runs.

Derrick Henry’s Diet: Fueling the Beast

It’s not just his workout routine that keeps Derrick Henry at the top of his game—it’s also his incredibly strict diet. To maintain his size, strength, and endurance throughout the grueling NFL season, Henry follows a high-protein, high-calorie diet to fuel his workouts and recovery. Here’s a breakdown of what fuels the King.

1. Protein-Packed Meals

Henry’s diet is centered around lean proteins to support muscle growth and recovery. His meals often include chicken, fish (like salmon and tuna), turkey, and steak. These protein sources are essential for maintaining and building the muscle mass needed to power through defenders.

2. Carbohydrates for Energy

While protein is essential, Henry also makes sure to consume enough complex carbohydrates to fuel his intense workouts and on-field performance. Foods like brown rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa, and oats are staples in his diet, providing a steady supply of energy that lasts throughout his demanding training sessions and games.

3. Healthy Fats

To support his overall health and improve his energy levels, Derrick also includes healthy fats in his diet. He consumes avocados, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish to provide the necessary omega-3 fatty acids and keep his heart and joints in optimal condition.

4. Hydration is Key

Staying hydrated is essential for an athlete like Henry, especially given the amount of physical strain he puts on his body during workouts and games. He makes sure to drink plenty of water, and he also consumes electrolyte-rich drinks to replenish minerals lost through sweat.

5. Supplements

Derrick Henry also supplements his diet with a few key supplements to support his training. These include protein powders, creatine, and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) to aid muscle recovery, support endurance, and ensure he’s getting the nutrients he needs to maintain peak performance.

Recovery: The Secret to Longevity

Henry’s intense workouts and grueling on-field performances take a toll on his body, which is why recovery is just as important as training. To help his muscles repair and rebuild, he incorporates stretching, yoga, and foam rolling into his routine. Active recovery days, where he focuses on lighter workouts or rest, are also an important part of his strategy to stay fresh for the long NFL season.

Additionally, Henry focuses on sleep—getting at least 8 hours a night to ensure his body fully recovers and is ready to go the next day.

Conclusion: How Derrick Henry Became a Beast

Derrick Henry’s insane workout routine and diet are integral to his success on the field. His dedication to building and maintaining his powerful physique, along with his commitment to fueling his body properly, have made him one of the most feared running backs in the NFL. Henry’s approach is all about power, endurance, and explosiveness—qualities that have helped him break records and dominate defenders for years.

If there’s one takeaway from Henry’s regimen, it’s that being an elite athlete isn’t just about talent—it’s about relentless work ethic, discipline, and sacrifice. And as long as Henry keeps pushing his limits in the gym and in the kitchen, the King is likely to reign for many more seasons to come.