Halle Berry is a perfect example of a Hollywood celebrity staying fit well into her 40s. (Credit: Mavrixonline.com via US Magazine)
Have you noticed there are a lot of Hollywood stars who have crossed into their 40s and still look amazing? I’m surprised at just how many top actors and actresses have been around for a decade or two and continue to look great. Of course we always want to know what they do to stay fit and I’ve got a bit of a roundup for who does what.
Johnny Depp is 49 and stays fit “old school” with free weights, treadmill, and a stability ball. Presumably he also jogs outside when the mood strikes him. I’m sure those adoring fans that might be dogging him would keep his speed up!
Brad Pitt is another 49-year-old who uses a wide array of fitness techniques to stay in shape, from martial arts to weights. For his weight training, think bootcamp moves and lifting that would make Arnold Schwarzennegger proud. Squats, bench presses, and the like are what he uses for his beefier roles like “Troy.” He was coached in fighting techniques for “Fight Club.” So he varies his fitness program depending on the role and his interests over time. Sounds like a great plan to me.
Cate Blanchett, Pitt’s “Benjamin Button” co-star, is a 43-year-old known for her consistently svelte figure. Blanchett has said she mostly chases her children around to keep fit, although she did tell Marie Claire a few years ago that she does Pilates once or twice a week.
Nicole Kidman is a 45-year-old runner. She credits her 6-foot height and her diet with keeping her mostly svelte, but her Dad is a marathoner and has inspired her to hit the roads.
Julia Roberts, 44, is a Mom of twins who has hit the metal to stay in shape. Working with star trainer Kathy Kaehler, she mixes light weights with explosive movements to stay fit and trim.
Matt Damon, 42, has done a variety of training over the years for his various roles. I suspect he did some Parkour training for the “Bourne” films. Parkour (also known as free running) is basically using the world as your playground. You vault over benches, scramble up the sides of buildings, leap from precarious perch to precarious perch. You need lots of cardio capacity and lots of strength to pull it off. Damon has also talked about how much he likes to do sprint work because it has increased his speed.
Sandra Bullock has been a Pilates devotee for years, but the 48-year-old mixes it up with weightlifting, kickboxing, running, and bike riding. Sandra also says she schedules cheat days into her schedule so she can indulge in her favorite foods but still stay trim.
Robert Downey, Jr., 47, is a yoga devotee and credits it with helping to keep him clean and sober. But when he trains for films like “Iron Man,” he needs to bulk up and wanted to do something different for “Iron Man 2.” He purportedly did “functional” drills using things such as Indian clubs and a wheelbarrow loaded with 650 pounds of junk that he ran through an obstacle course. Sounds fun and a little dangerous!
Halle Berry, 46, needs to take her fitness very seriously, not just because it supplies her with a phenomenal paycheck, but because she is a diabetic. Berry has worked with trainers for years, including celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, and also does hiking and kickboxing.
Russell Crowe, 48, was recently cast as Superman’s father in the franchise reboot. The Aussie actor was doing a combo of long walks and gym time to get in shape combined with a mostly gluten-free diet. His walks were in the 45 to 90-minute range and not a leisurely stroll. Then he’d hit the gym and work weights with a trainer.
FYI – this info was sourced from a lengthy Google search. I am taking well-educated guesses and checking from multiple sources, but the celebrities’ routines could be different by now. :-) Bottom line: they’re working hard to look so good.
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I’m in my mid 30′s, many people have said oh when you hit your 40′s it’s all downhill. I believed that for a long while, now I know that’s a bunch of hogwash. Yes these are celebrities who have many more bundles of money more than I have…wait do I have a enough money to make a bundle, lol anyway they have access to the best when it comes to fitness, diet, lifestyle. However they are still people with body image challenges like we all have and it’s nice to know what they do and how you may can implement their routine to see how you make out. Woohooo to Sandra Bullock, love her PILATES RULES!!!!
Uma Thurman and Julia Roberts have talked about doing Pilates too. Not sure if they are still active with them. One never knows with Hollywood media, they want the story of the moment all the time. :-)
As I get closer and closer to 40, I am now, more than ever, thankful to see that we are evolving to a society where being 40+ doesn’t mean you have to trade in your backless dresses and bikinis for muumuus and netted buns. :-)
I’m approaching 45 and nobody realizes I’m that ‘old’.
I honestly don’t think 40′s are old…
60′s yea getting ‘older’ but really what is old?
I’ve seen lots of 20′s & 30′s who look older than me…
age is but a number…
If I love half as good as these women when I hit 40 (which is getting scarily close) then I’m going to be more than happy. It does seem that Pilates has become the regime of choice for a lot of women, though recently it appears that the demographic has got younger as I don’t know about you but I can’t seem to hear the word Pilates with Miley Cyrus attached to it at the mo! ;)
Tara you definitely look great! :-)
Michelle, I’m well into my 40s and it is energizing to know that a little consistent discipline can go a long way. :-)
Sandra Bullock is 48?! She’s definitely blessed to look so fresh and fit 2 years shy of 50. I also can’t believe that Robert Downey Jr is near 50, I’ve always thought he was in his late 30s.
They both get help from private chefs, personal trainers, make up people and good lighting as well as good genes. :-) There’s a lot you can do before Photoshop. Then, of course, there’s Photoshop. L–
That’s a good point! Makeup alone can deceive the eyes.