Power Changes Everything: 10 NFL Players with the Most Intense Training Regimens

Hard work pays off. The NFL is loaded with "workout warriors," but some guys take that term to a whole different level. 

In a league that seems to get faster and stronger with each passing week, it's important for players to stay in the gym and find a way to better themselves.

This list breaks down and examines 10 players with the most intense training regimens. From the stuff they do in the gym to the off-field preparation they immerse themselves in, the work never stops for these talented athletes.

Break out your protein shakes and Gatorade, because it's time to get this show on the road.

Drew Brees

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You wouldn't think it by looking at him, but New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has an unstoppable work ethic.

In a training-camp preview piece last summer, Sports Illustrated's Austin Murphy wrote about his daily routine: "This morning Brees will spend two hours honing his 'functional fitness'—that is, replicating the movements and isolating the muscle groups he most relies on as a quarterback. Rather than trying to bulk up, his focus is on flexibility, core stability and rotational strength."

Unlike a lot of guys in the league, Brees isn't all about putting on muscle-laden weight. He's smart about his workouts. At 35 years old, he's doing everything he can to stay relevant and productive. As the leader of the Saints, it's his job to be healthy.

His innovative workout routine and dedication help him stay in peak physical condition. 

Clay Matthews

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Green Bay Packers pass-rusher Clay Matthews uses the weight room to fuel his productivity on the field. If you were to classify a "power" guy, Matthews would be it.

"I work out six days per week, Monday through Saturday, with Sunday being my day off. My days consist of everything from field work, to being in the weight room, mixing in yoga and Pilates, boxing and sometimes MMA. We're always mixing it up," he shared with BodyBuilding.com. 

The 28-year-old has been outstanding ever since the Packers selected him in the first round of the 2009 draft. His ability to get around the edge is a testament to all the blood, sweat and tears he's put in on the weight-room floor.

Russell Wilson

Preparation. That's one word you could use when describing Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. In fact, according to Tony Drovetto of Seahawks.com, Wilson's mantra is "The separation is in the preparation."

"This may sound crazy—I try not to get much sleep during the week. I may try to get five or six hours," Wilson mentioned about his pregame routine.

Say what you want about him, but there's no doubting how much he loves this game. Wilson has not only become one of the most passionate players in the NFL, but the former third-round pick has already defied the odds.

He's a Super Bowl champion who got there by way of his rugged work ethic.

Steve Weatherford

Steve Weatherford may be listed as a punter but don't be fooled. He has the most outrageous body in the NFL, and it's not even close.

Weatherford has been featured in countless workout publications and recently had a piece done by ESPN's Rick Reilly, who showcased how he maintains that old-school Lex Luger-like physique.

Again, this is a punter we're talking about. You don't expect him to look like an action figure. But with hard work and a rigorous training routine, Weatherford has shattered that stereotype. 

Patrick Willis

You may have forgotten about San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. For a guy who was once talked about all the time, it feels like Willis has fallen off the radar, and that's a shame.

Despite that, if you use Instagram and are a big fan of hard work, Willis is a must-follow. The guy is an absolute machine when it comes to the stuff he can do in the gym.

His warm-up generates more sweat and burns more calories than what most people do in a week. Like many of the other names on this list, his greatness starts off the field. The rest just follows suit.

J.J. Watt

Few guys who are more physically impressive than Houston Texans star J.J. Watt.

Not only has Watt climbed the NFL's mountain and planted his flag at the top of it, but he's also known for being a ruthless worker and a tactician when it comes to his preparation.

Grantland's Robert Mays did a wonderful profile on Watt during the offseason. In it he summed up the Texans' defensive MVP with one fascinating paragraph:

"

That’s why Watt is here, on this Wednesday in mid-June, having just finished another workout at NRG Stadium. As he sits down at a table in a half-lit room used for press conferences, his gray sleeveless T-shirt is soaked through with sweat. Four drinks — two waters and two small protein shakes — sit in front of him. It’s the Texans’ day off.

"

You don't just wake up one day and become a beast. It takes a ton of hard work. Follow Watt on Instagram and you'll see exactly what hard work looks like.

James Ihedigbo

There's a little-known hard-hitting safety who plays for the Detroit Lions. His name is James Ihedigbo.

Ihedigbo is a tireless worker. He's a connoisseur of building muscle and getting in superhuman-like shape. "I’m a firm believer in preparation," the 30-year-old told Sports Illustrated's Sarah Toland.

Toland's article is a great way to catch an inside glimpse at how this veteran safety has stayed relevant. His workout is meticulous, inspiring and somewhat of a mystery. "I don’t want to give too much of my secret away because someone might steal it," he explained to Toland about his "metabolic Friday" routine.

All of that dedication is clearly paying off. Judging by Pro Football Focus' (subscription required) grading system, he's one of the top 20 safeties in the league.

James Harrison

James Harrison returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year when the team needed help at linebacker after he previously decided to hang up his cleats.

At 36 years old, he's not the same player he was during his prime. However, that hasn't stopped the workout warrior from coming up with big plays and becoming a leader once again. "He is not a regular guy. He is James Harrison," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said, via Around the NFL's Kevin Patra.

The workout grind he puts in is a huge reason why he's found a way to be productive once again. Take a look at the Instagram video posted above. Harrison is still training at a crazy-high level.

Young guys should take notes. Harrison is the walking, living and breathing definition of hard work.

Evan Mathis

Do you want to see something amazing? Take a look at the video above.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Evan Mathis underwent a stunning transformation prior to the 2011 NFL season. Mathis engaged in an intensive workout program, which allowed him to shed pounds and get ripped.

He basically became a bodybuilder who just so happens to play guard.

As he works his way back from a knee injury this season, you know he's been working his tail off based on everything we've seen in the past.

You may not be able to find a metamorphosis quite as special as Mathis's 2011 journey. His lean physique and robot strength have allowed him to thrive under head coach Chip Kelly's tempo-fueled offense.

Vernon Davis

We've seen plenty of NFL players bless the cover of performance magazines. But one guy who's been consistently sought after because of what he can do in the gym is San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.

"I can’t stand to see anyone do better than me. That’s a part of competition. You’ve got to have that drive; that’s how you get better. If a guy in front of me has a better bench-press than me, I’m going to work harder to outdo him," Davis revealed to Joe Wuebben of Muscle and Fitness.

Davis is a beast. Physically, he set the bar for athletic tight ends when he was drafted in 2006. Describe him any way you want to. In our book, he's the NFL's very own version of Hercules.