6 A.M. WITH...RZA

The leader of Wu-Tang Clan doesn't love the gym, but with a new tour (and the specter of ultra-jacked Method Man) as motivation, he's looking to solve da mystery of strength training.

- MILO F. BRYANT, CSCS

ROBERT FITZGERALD DIGGS—better known as RZA—helped build the hip-hop empire known as Wu-Tang Clan from gritty beats, kung fu flicks, and eight other minds that spit razor-sharp poetic philosophies. Today, the 56-year-old is building something else: muscle. And just like Wu-Tang's music, it's precise, intense, and just a little bit unorthodox.

It's mid-May and RZA's at Granite Gym in Beverly Hills, surrounded by old-school steel and sci-fi-looking gear. He's leaning forward slightly, holding a pair of cable handles, elbows behind his torso, a pair of wires attached to each of his biceps. Trainer Grant Roberts watches closely, ready to push RZA to physical mastery. “What we hittin' today?” RZA asks, shoulders rolling like he's about to throw a punch line.

“Bis and tris,” replies Roberts.

“A'ight. A'ight. Got this. Let's go.”

Roberts smirks. “Wait till tomorrow.”

“Huh? What's tomorrow?”

“You won't be able to wash your hair.”