Idris Elba, the renowned actor, attributes much of his fitness at 53 to a simple yet effective exercise: the squat. He emphasizes its importance, claiming it alleviates discomfort in his tight hip flexors. During his appearance on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Elba shared his thoughts on the movement. “The squat – just squatting, like before we were homo sapiens – is my go-to exercise,” he explained. He also humorously noted the struggle of getting back up after a squat, stating, “My pride’s still too strong for that.”
Elba’s Comprehensive Fitness Regimen
While squatting is significant in Elba’s routine, it forms just a part of his diverse fitness strategy. The actor aims to remain “fight-ready,” with kickboxing being a central element of his training. In an interview with Men’s Health, he articulated his fitness goals. “Some guys want to be toned, but my ultimate fitness goal is to be fight-ready,” he asserted. He describes the condition of being able to “go toe-to-toe for five rounds” in the ring as the epitome of fitness.
Kickboxing Journey
Elba’s dedication to training began seriously nine years ago during a documentary titled Idris Elba: Fighter. He devoted a year to mastering kickboxing, culminating in a professional fight against Dutch kickboxer Lionel Graves at York Hall. Elba emerged victorious by TKO, and although he hasn’t competed professionally since, his passion for the sport has not waned.
“Kickboxing is rugged – it’s all core strength,” Elba emphasized, explaining that being fight-ready offers a sense of invincibility. He also incorporates skipping and shadowboxing when access to a gym is limited. “Shadowboxing is one of the best workouts you can do. You don’t need any equipment, and it works every muscle,” he stated. Additionally, he highlighted skipping as a favorite workout, noting, “Ten minutes of skipping is a lot of work; your whole body’s going, and you break a sweat very quickly.”
Conclusion
Idris Elba’s commitment to his fitness and the squat routine that supports it demonstrates his desire to remain agile and prepared. His approach showcases how simple exercises, combined with a diverse training mix, can contribute to sustained fitness even at 53. With kickboxing, skipping, and shadowboxing as crucial parts of his regimen, Elba exemplifies an enduring dedication to health and endurance.
