Ubisoft has partnered with fitness YouTuber “The Bioneer” to launch a new workout challenge inspired by Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest installment in the popular franchise. This isn’t your typical gaming promotion; it’s a comprehensive five-week program designed to transform you into a nimble shinobi like Naoe, one of the game’s dual protagonists.
Sharpen Your Blade and Your Body: The Assassin’s Creed Workout Challenge
Forget simply sitting on the couch in anticipation of Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ release. Ubisoft is encouraging players to physically embody the spirit of the game’s protagonists. This initiative goes beyond simple exercise; it’s about cultivating the strength, agility, stamina, and grip strength required to navigate feudal Japan as a master assassin. The Assassin’s Creed Workout Challenge is a 45-day plan which is designed to lead fans up to the launch of the game.
From Altaïr to Naoe: A Historical Journey Through Fitness
The workout challenge is structured around the different eras and characters within the Assassin’s Creed universe. Each week focuses on a specific group of assassins with different exercise styles:
- Week 1: Assassins (Altaïr, Ezio, and others): This week focuses on fundamental assassin training, building a base level of fitness and coordination.
- Week 2: Pirates (Edward Kenway): Channel your inner pirate with exercises that emphasize raw power and explosive movements, perfect for hoisting sails and swinging from ropes.
- Week 3: Spartans (Alexios/Kassandra): Prepare for intense, strength-based workouts fit for a Spartan warrior, building resilience and power.
- Week 4: Vikings (Eivor): Embrace the Viking spirit with exercises designed to enhance strength and endurance, preparing you for long voyages and fierce battles.
- Week 5: Shinobi and Samurai (Yasuke & Naoe): The final week culminates in training inspired by the protagonists of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, emphasizing agility, precision, and deadly efficiency.
The Bioneer’s Blueprint: Bodyweight Training for Peak Performance
Adam Sinicki, known as “The Bioneer” on YouTube, is the mastermind behind this unique workout program. The Bioneer is known for creating content based on the workout routines of fictional characters. Recognizing that Assassin’s Creed characters perform feats of incredible athleticism, Sinicki has crafted a routine primarily based on bodyweight exercises, making it accessible to almost anyone. This eliminates the need for expensive gym equipment, allowing you to train anywhere, anytime.
Common Elements: The Foundation of an Assassin
Regardless of the weekly theme, each workout incorporates foundational elements to build a well-rounded physique:
- Jump Rope: Ten minutes of jumping rope serves as a dynamic warm-up, improving cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and agility.
- Dynamic Stretching: A comprehensive stretching routine prepares your muscles for the workout ahead, increasing flexibility and reducing the risk of injury.
Shinobi and Samurai Training: Mastering the Art of Agility
The final week, dedicated to Naoe and Yasuke, hones the skills necessary to excel as a shinobi. This involves a combination of exercises designed to improve strength, agility, and stealth:
- Pull-ups: Develop upper body strength for climbing and traversing rooftops. Tactical pull-ups are a must for any aspiring climber.
- Push-ups: Build upper body strength and endurance for combat and maintaining stealth.
- Crawls: Enhance core strength, coordination, and stealthy movement. Low-reaching lizard crawls allow a stealthy shinobi like Naoe to infiltrate structures.
- Jumps: Improve explosive power and agility for leaping across rooftops and evading enemies. Movements like the prevision broad jump develop horizontal jumping distance and precision.
- Squats: Strengthen lower body muscles for powerful movements and maintaining balance.
More Than Just Strength: Cultivating Essential Assassin Attributes
The Bioneer emphasizes that becoming a true assassin requires more than just brute force. The workout also focuses on developing other crucial attributes:
- Stamina: Train your cardiovascular system to maintain peak performance during extended missions.
- Agility: Enhance your ability to move quickly and effortlessly through complex environments.
- Grip Strength: Develop a strong grip for climbing, wielding weapons, and maintaining control in combat.
- Body Control: It’s all those things working in tandem that lets you move like an anime character like a video game character.
Taking it to the Next Level: Advanced Training for Elite Assassins
For those seeking to push their limits and truly embody the skills of an Assassin’s Creed protagonist, The Bioneer suggests incorporating advanced training techniques:
- Weighted Vest: Adding a weighted vest to exercises like pull-ups and crawls increases the intensity and builds even greater strength and endurance.
- Martial Arts Practice: Training in martial arts enhances combat skills, reflexes, and overall body awareness.
- Rock Climbing: Develop exceptional grip strength, agility, and problem-solving skills.
- Weighted Carries: Improve strength, endurance, and stability by carrying heavy objects over varying distances.
- Adding a roll at the end of your precision broad jumps: This is a great way to absorb impact and look even more like a shinobi.
- Mimic Movements: If you’re doing crawls, crawl along something that way you’re engaging your core more, your balance, your grip.
Join the Challenge: Become the Assassin
Ubisoft is actively encouraging fans to participate in the Assassin’s Creed Workout Challenge. By following the weekly updates on the Assassin’s Creed TikTok page, participants can learn new exercises and share their progress with the community. As an added incentive, those who comment on the TikTok videos with their favorite Assassin’s Creed character will be entered for a chance to win a digital copy of Assassin’s Creed Shadows upon its release.
A New Era of Stealth: Embrace the Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to introduce a revamped stealth system, requiring players to rely on their senses and tactical decision-making. The game will lack a companion eagle, which was a staple in previous titles, forcing players to engage with the environment in a more intimate and deliberate way.
The “Observe” Mechanic: Mastering Environmental Awareness
Both Naoe and Yasuke will have access to a new “Observe” mechanic, allowing them to quickly gather information about their surroundings. This feature enables players to identify targets, tag enemies, highlight lootable stashes, and locate quest objectives. By carefully observing their environment, players can plan their approach and execute stealthy maneuvers with precision.
Naoe’s Eagle Vision: A Familiar Tool with a New Twist
Naoe will retain the classic Assassin’s Creed Eagle Vision, allowing her to temporarily highlight enemies hidden behind walls and other obstacles. This ability will be crucial for planning ambushes and navigating complex environments undetected.
Beyond the Game: A Holistic Approach to Fitness
The Assassin’s Creed Workout Challenge represents a broader trend of integrating gaming with fitness and well-being. By encouraging players to physically embody the characteristics of their favorite characters, Ubisoft is promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle. This initiative demonstrates that gaming can be more than just a sedentary activity; it can be a source of inspiration and motivation for personal growth and physical fitness.
Conclusion: Forge Your Legend
Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of exercise, the Assassin’s Creed Workout Challenge offers a fun and engaging way to improve your strength, agility, and overall fitness. By embracing the training regimen of Naoe and other iconic assassins, you can unlock your inner potential and prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. So, ditch the couch, grab your workout gear, and embark on a journey to become the ultimate assassin.
