Idris Elba, known for his versatile roles and remarkable physical fitness, has shared his go-to exercise for maintaining his athletic capabilities—squats. At 53 years old, the star has acknowledged the physical challenges that come with age, particularly tight hip flexors. Instead of relying solely on stretching or mobility drills, Elba emphasizes the importance of squatting, which he describes as an instinctive movement reminiscent of a time before humanity’s evolution.
On the podcast “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” he noted, “The squat – just squatting, like before we were homo sapiens – is my go-to exercise. Getting down is easy, but once you’re down, you get stuck. My pride’s still too strong for that – there’s no guy helping me up in that situation.” This humorous yet candid remark underscores both his commitment to fitness and his self-awareness.
While squats form a foundational part of his routine, Elba’s fitness regime is diverse, revolving around the concept of staying “fight-ready.” In conversations with Men’s Health, he elaborated, stating that his ultimate aspiration is to be prepared for combat: “If I step into the ring, could I go toe-to-toe for five rounds? That’s what I strive for. I want to know that if I’m being wrestled to the ground, I’ve got the strength to fight a man off.”
This determination to maintain a fighting shape is not new; it was sparked nearly a decade ago when he participated in a documentary titled “Idris Elba: Fighter.” Elba dedicated a full year to training in kickboxing, culminating in a professional match where he faced Dutch fighter Lionel Graves, earning a victory by TKO. Though he hasn’t fought professionally since, Elba continues to incorporate kickboxing into his training and praises its focus on core strength, saying, “Kickboxing is rugged – it’s all core strength – but when you’re fight-ready, you feel like you can last forever.”
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On days when he can’t access a gym, Elba turns to shadowboxing and skipping as effective alternatives. He describes shadowboxing as an excellent, equipment-free workout that engages every muscle group. In a conversation with People, he mentioned, “My favourite way to break a sweat is skipping. Ten minutes of skipping is a lot of work, believe it or not. Your whole body’s going and you break a sweat very quickly.”
Elba’s approach to fitness serves as an inspiring reminder that staying active and healthy is achievable regardless of age, and that simple, fundamental movements can still play a significant role in maintaining overall well-being.
