Key Takeaways:
- At 53, actor Idris Elba relies on squats as his go-to exercise to maintain mobility and combat tight hip flexors.
- Elba prioritizes being “fight-ready” over traditional fitness goals, focusing on functional strength and endurance.
- His workout routine is heavily influenced by kickboxing, a discipline he has trained in for years.
- When a gym isn’t available, Elba turns to simple yet effective exercises like skipping and shadowboxing.
At 53, Idris Elba maintains a physique that many aspire to, and his secret weapon isn’t a complex machine or an expensive trainer—it’s the humble squat. The Luther star recently revealed that this foundational movement is the key to helping him stay mobile and manage the physical niggles that come with age.
The Go-To Move for Mobility
Speaking on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, Elba explained that instead of relying on stretching or mobility drills, he turns to squats to ease his tight hip flexors.
“The squat – just squatting, like before we were homo sapiens – is my go-to exercise,” he said. Highlighting the challenges of aging, he added, “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.”
A ‘Fight-Ready’ Philosophy
While squats are crucial, they are just one part of Elba’s broader fitness philosophy. His ultimate goal is to remain “fight-ready” at all times. This mindset shapes his entire approach to training, with a strong emphasis on kickboxing.
“Some guys want to be toned or want to jog for miles, but my ultimate fitness goal is to be fight-ready,” Elba previously told Men’s Health. “If I step into the ring, could I go toe-to-toe for five rounds? That’s what I strive for. That’s what I consider fit.”
This dedication to combat sports isn’t new. Nine years ago, he trained for 12 months for a professional kickboxing match, which was documented in Idris Elba: Fighter. He won the bout by TKO and has continued training ever since. “Kickboxing is rugged – it’s all core strength – but when you’re fight-ready, you feel like you can last forever,” he explained.
No Gym, No Problem
Elba’s routine is also adaptable. When he can’t get to a gym, he relies on a couple of tried-and-true exercises: skipping and shadowboxing.
“Shadowboxing is one of the best workouts you can do. You don’t need any equipment, and it works every muscle,” he said. He also praised skipping as a quick and effective way to break a sweat, telling People, “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.”
By combining foundational strength movements with practical, high-intensity cardio, Idris Elba has crafted a sustainable and effective routine that keeps him ready for any role—or challenge—that comes his way.
Image Referance: https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a69458256/idris-elba-squat-workout-fitness-routine/