How Do Baby-Boomer Celebs Keep Fit?
By: Lisa Jarman
Look at a list of baby-boomer celebrities and you can start to feel really old. If you enjoyed the movies of Johnny Depp, Jim Carrey or George Clooney before they became mega-stars; marveled at the skills of Wayne Gretzky in his prime, or spent your youth bopping along to the sounds of Holiday-era Madonna or Prince (before he did the symbol thing), you may be surprised to learn they are all classed as baby-boomers. These popular celebs were born in the years 1946 to 1964, which make them officially part of the post-World War II baby boom generation. But, to use the old cliché, age is just a number, and if you’re heading for your half-century, or counting the time to 70 in months as opposed to years, you can take a tip from some of these celebs who remain at the peak of their fitness despite their advancing years.
Age-defying Baby-Boomer Women
Women like Demi Moore and Sheryl Crow may be baby-boomers, but they are great examples of how getting older can mean looking even better. While a body-conscious woman in the public eye will always have to live with cosmetic surgery rumours, the reality is that keeping fit takes hard work and dedication. For example, when getting into shape for the (otherwise forgettable) movie, GI Jane, Demi Moore (born 1962) followed a strict Navy SEAL trainer-led regime that included running, ab work and cardio. She maintains her fitness and enviable body now through strength-training and Pilates. To keep her butt in shape, she does a tailored treadmill workout. Beginning with a three-minute walking warm up; then increase the incline to level eight. With bent knees, dig your heels into the treadmill for one to two minutes, then turn it back to a level one incline for one or two minutes of recovery. This cycle should be repeated ten times. It may be tough, but just close your eyes and imagine how great it’ll feel to outshine those twenty-somethings on the beach next summer!
Original source: here.
We originally learned how Demi Moore trains here.
Sheryl Crow (born 1962) keeps in great shape through the use of exercise machines she keeps at home, including an elliptical trainer, stationary bike, and a StairMaster. To keep her upper body in shape, she uses resistance bands to complete a variety of exercises. The first involves tying the band around something solid at chest height. Facing away from the object, hold one end of the band in each hand, stagger your feet and keep your arms out to the side with palms facing forward. Rotate the palms down as you bring the ends of the band together in front of your chest. Return to the starting position with arms bent and repeat until you just can’t do any more! A second exercise targets the biceps. With feet shoulder-width apart, stand on the centre of the band. Hold one end of the band in each hand; keep palms facing up and elbows pressed into your rib cage. With wrists straight, curl your hands towards your shoulders. Lower and keep going until those muscles are bulging! Sheryl compliments these exercises with 30 to 45 minutes of running or cycling twice a week.
Original source: here.
We originally learned how Sheryl Crowe trains here.
If you’re a woman that falls into the baby-boomer category, it is important to incorporate strengthening work into your fitness program, as the older you get, the less estrogen you produce, which influences muscle-building. If you don’t fancy hitting the weights, then consider yoga or Pilates. These can be particularly great options women new to exercise and offers many additional health benefits. Overall, the main lesson to learn from age-defying women, such as Demi and Sheryl, is that if you follow an appropriate fitness regime, like a fine wine, you’ll only get better with age.
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Age-defying baby-boomer men
As with the women, it is important for baby-boomer men to maintain muscle mass through middle age and beyond, which can also help with bone and joint conditions. That doesn’t mean getting pumped up Schwarzenegger-style, just factor weight training into your regular regime and aim for overall fitness. Incorporate such activities as walking and bike riding alongside basic weightlifting and stretching. If you think stretching isn’t the manliest of exercises, the one and only George Clooney (born 1961) is an advocate of Bikram yoga, which helps with core strength and toning. It’s also done in 40C (105F) temperatures. Phew!
Original source: here.
Those at the other end of the baby-boomer scale can take a tip from Indiana Jones himself. Harrison Ford (born 1942) falls a little outside the official baby boomer category, but is in better shape than many men half his age thanks to a variety of sports and regular gym sessions (as well as dodging big boulders). The key is building definition and shape without risking injury. Start with a cardio warm-up, such as 10-15 minutes of cycling or jogging. Move on to squats or bench presses without weights to prepare your body. The routine should then begin with 15 reps using small weights, before moving on to six to eight reps for two to three sets of bicep and tricep curls, lunges and bench presses using heavier weights. Afterwards, it’s important to stretch your muscles and apply ice if you suspect a strain. By working hard, but being mindful of injury and age limitations, Harrison was able to do his own stunts in the last Indie movie. But then, his movie dad is Sean Connery…
We originally learned how Harrison Ford trains here.
Maybe the ultimate example of a celebrity baby-boomer who hasn’t let the march of time hold him back is Bruce Springsteen (born 1949). Still out on the road pouring everything into his legendary three-hour plus shows, he puts his continued fitness and boundless energy down to a regular fitness regime. He runs four to six miles a day, three days a week. On the alternate days, he works out in the gym using free weights or weight machines. He also follows a mostly vegetarian diet. This last part highlights the importance of ensuring a workout regime is complemented by healthy eating, as Licensed Prescriptions, confirm; it’s not enough to hit the gym, you also have to watch those calories if you want to avoid or combat that middle-age spread. Of course, it helps to be wealthy enough to afford the best trainers and equipment, but the key is regular exercise and pacing yourself. Springsteen has followed the same fitness routine for 30 years, and always avoided the damaging rock star excesses that have come back to haunt many others of his generation. As he says: if you don’t use it up when you’re young; you still have it in the tank for later.
Original source: here.
We originally learned how Bruce Springsteen trains here.
Keeping active in middle age
The reality is that while you may still feel like a 20-year-old and, indeed, may even be in better shape than many young whippersnappers, there are additional considerations when starting or resuming a work-out in middle-age. We’re talking about an increased risk of such things as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol. Many of these conditions can be improved by regular exercise, but you need to make sure you’re doing your body good and not causing any damage. The best way is to seek professional advice before starting any regime and select suitable exercises. Special baby-boomer gyms are even springing up in the US. These focus on low-impact exercises and workouts tailored each individual’s fitness level. They also pump out the golden oldies at a low volume while you work out! While you may not feel ready for this, the overall message is a good one. Don’t let your age hold you back, but also don’t ignore it altogether. Know your body; know your limitations; and do all you can to keep as fit as possible for as long as possible. You could even consider following in the footsteps of the baby-boomer celebs by getting a personal trainer who can help you achieve your workout goals in the most effective way.