These rock stars live fast and live hard but definitely do not neglect their fitness! Rock stars are notorious for indulging in the vices that accompany fame and fortune, but there are many that stand out from the rest and put their health first. Some are reformed bad-boys, reformed drug addicts, and others have lived healthy lifestyles all along. Each of these rockers on our list demonstrate how healthy lifestyle and fitness has kept them young- and even kept them sane throughout their careers!
Samir Becic, HarperCollins author of the fitness book ReSYNC Your Life says of these rockstars: “Growing up, I didn’t know many rockstars who were actually healthy and fit. But now, seeing these incredible individuals who are living their lives to the fullest and yet are still incorporating healthy lifestyle and healthy eating into their daily regimens tells me that you can still have crazy fun and be fit! Congratulations to all of you, let’s motivate your fans to be like you!”
Now Samir Becic and the HFR institute have poured over all the data on rockstars to rank the top fittest of 2017, you can also look over our original list from 2014. We used a combination of interviews, internet, library, industry literature, and Samir’s knowledge of over 20 years as a fitness industry expert coupled with his experience as a four-time No. 1 Fitness Trainer in the world. We started with over 70 hosts, narrowed it down to 50, 25, and then these final 10.
Here’s our list of the fittest rockstars of 2017:
ADAM LEVINE- MAROON 5
Nicknamed the rock-star yogi, no one can deny that Adam Levine is just as in shape as he is attractive. He graced the cover of Men’s Health Magazine and claimed that for every show Maroon 5 plays, he must have a backstage room dedicated only to yoga. Adam Levine stated that he used to partake in the traditional weight-lifting exercises, but decided to switch up his routine due to over bulking. Although weight-lifting is beneficial to the body in numerous ways, Adam disliked the broadening of his neck, and the injuries that came with heavy weight lifting. As he grew increasingly frustrated by lower-back pain and tight hips and hamstrings, he decided to give yoga a try. That was nine years ago, and Levine hasn’t lifted a weight or entered a gym since. He feels that yoga takes what your body has and molds and sculpts it, which is a much more natural way to look and feel. He also raves about how yoga aids his mental well-being
“I HAVE A HARD TIME SITTING STILL,” LEVINE SAYS. “I CAN BE ALL OVER THE MAP. YOGA HAS GIVEN ME THE ABILITY TO BE MORE FOCUSED AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS THAT COME FROM A CLEAR PLACE.”
Yes, it keeps his stamina up, his physique toned, and his abs ripped. Adam also follows a mostly vegan diet.
Lenny Kravitz
This rock legend has been touring the world for nearly three decades, and during his recent hiatus, he sold all his belongings and moved into an airstream trailer in the Bahamas to find himself and enjoy life. Lenny has always been renown for being in shape, and has stated that although he has come close, he has never actually been drunk. He prides himself in knowing when to stop. His fitness regimen includes a myriad of outdoorsy activities.
“TO STAY FIT, I ALWAYS CARRY A JUMP ROPE WITH ME. AND I RUN. I LIKE TO BE OUTDOORS DOING THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR BODY—PULL-UPS, SIT-UPS, PUSH-UPS, SQUATS. GYMS ARE COOL, BUT I FIND THEM BORING. I PREFER TO RUN OUTSIDE IN NATURE—IT’S FAR MORE INSPIRING.”
As far as nutrition goes, he keeps a Champion juicer with him at all times. He loves hitting the organic market or the farmer’s market and picking up some spinach, kale, carrots, beets, garlic—it really promotes great health. He is however, all about balance and says that because he lives half his year in Paris, he does indulge in champagne, pastries, and culinary food- all in moderation.
Anthony Keidis- Red Hot Chili Peppers
This rock-god is super in-shape. If you don’t believe us, just take a look at his rock hard abs. This previous model for healthy living in Men’s Fitness magazine stated that he loves defying the idea of how society conventionally views you at 40, 50, and 60. Anthony is on a mission to defy the 50-ish year-old stereotype by staying fit and sexy.
“DISCOVERING SURFING AT THIS STAGE OF MY LIFE IS DEFINITELY GOING TO KEEP ME ACTIVE TILL THE DAY I DIE. SO, YEAH, I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE… IN THE SAME WAY THAT [THE LATE AMERICAN EXERCISE AND NUTRITIONAL GURU] JACK LALANNE DID—DOING THINGS IN HIS 70’S THAT NO MAN ON EARTH COULD DO: PULLING TUGBOATS ACROSS THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY WITH HIS TEETH.”
His new-found love for fitness is a drastic change from his previous lifestyle of drugs, partying and little to no exercise (besides sex that is). Today, Anthony is in his 50’s, and probably more active than he’s ever been throughout his music career. He believes in staying fit everyday until the day he dies. He combines surfing with swimming in chlorine-free pools, long jogs with his dog in the Hollywood Hills, drinking tons of water every morning, dinner before 6pm, and a mostly vegan diet. He has said of his previously hard-partying ways-
“I SHOT DRUGS UNDER FREEWAY OFF-RAMPS WITH MEXICAN GANG-BANGERS AND IN THOUSAND-DOLLAR-A-DAY HOTEL SUITES. NOW I SIP VITAMIN-INFUSED WATER AND SEEK OUT WILD, AS OPPOSED TO FARM-RAISED, SALMON.”
Bruce Springsteen
Unlike many of the rockers on this list, Bruce and his bandmates have claimed that he never lived the toxic fast life many rock stars are accustomed to. Bruce is probably one in a million rock stars who has never tried drugs. Throughout his music career, Bruce has had to undergo therapy to treat his suicidal depression. Despite going through depression, he managed to stay away from drugs because of his experience having an addict father. He did, however, use exercise and healthy lifestyle as a way to maintain some balance in his life- which is why now, at the age of 64, he still weighs what he did when he was 15-years old! Springsteen maintains his age-defying physique by running on the treadmill and lifting weights with a trainer–a workout routine he has followed since his thirties. In addition to his regimented training for the past 3 decades, Bruce eats a mostly vegetarian diet and spends time enjoying his family, and reading, all of which are important to healthy lifestyle.
Joan Jett- The Runaways
“MOST DAYS I FEEL LIKE 25.”
And she can accredit that to staying active and always being on the go. Like many musicians, a demanding tour schedule leaves little time for her to sit around or be a couch-potato. But fitness is something Joan can always make time for, especially when she’s back home. Joan enjoys spending time at her home in Long Island because that’s where she can dedicate the most time to fitness. She’s been known to go on lengthy bike-rides and knocking out 50 push-ups during commercial breaks! She’s also the poster-rock star for healthy living because of the way she challenges rock star perceptions. Joan doesn’t smoke or drink, and does her best to stay out of the sun’s harmful rays. As far as her diet goes, Joan has been a vegetarian for over 20 years and is an advocate for vegetarianism.
Mick Jagger- The Rolling Stones
This charismatic and lively showman has always been able to use his performance as a workout. His fierce leg kicks and stage jumping keeps the crowd roaring and his heart-rate racing. It turns out that Mick can attribute those great kicks to his experience in ballet, Pilates and yoga! He also told the Daily Mail that, with the help of his personal trainer Torje Eike, he trains up to six days per week. This includes running 8 miles a day, swimming, kickboxing and cycling. He also just had a baby with his 29 year old wife, whom he clearly can still keep up with!
“I TRAIN FIVE OR SIX DAYS A WEEK, BUT I DON’T GO CRAZY. I ALTERNATE BETWEEN GYM WORK AND DANCING, THEN I DO SPRINTS, THINGS LIKE THAT. I’M TRAINING FOR STAMINA.”
While on tour, he warms up on a treadmill, but cuts back on the intensity of his training because of the energy he expends on stage. In a typical show (the Stones’ stages are 100ft wide by 50ft deep) he covers 12 miles. For the past decade, Jagger has been a devotee of organic produce — he’s particularly fond of avocados because of their regenerative qualities.
Sting- The Police
Sting is a perfect example of a rockstar who was able to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout his music career. The mere fact that he’s in his mid-60s and able to perform with as much energy as musicians a third of his age is proof that his current physical condition is A1. It also goes to show that he has put in years of work for a consistent and healthy lifestyle. Sting maintains a macrobiotic diet, which consists of an abundance of grains and vegetables, with little to no processed foods. He also keeps his meat, dairy, and sugar consumption at a minimum. Sting even grows his own food! He grows over 50 different types of organic fruits and vegetables, and raises chickens and turkey (all in the vicinity of his home). He even has a small lake where he can catch his own trout. Even while on tour, Sting brings a personal chef with him so that he maintains his healthy diet at all times. In terms of fitness, Sting enjoys running and yoga, both for the physical benefits but also for its meditative aspects. Sting once said that yoga
“IS LIKE MUSIC, YOGA IS A LONG JOURNEY THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND TO LEARN, AND VERY INFLUENTIAL IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS.”
Chris Daughtry- Daughtry
Two years ago, this rocker lost 23lbs by altering his lifestyle to incorporate more fitness into his daily schedule. Chris rose to fame after coming in fourth on the fifth season of American Idol. After his rise to stardom, he gained 25lbs due to the heavy amounts of junk food on tour. After losing the weight, he gave his personal fitness and diet tips on an interview. Daughtry claimed to avoid late night eating and unhealthy foods by keeping them out of sight. He exercises daily, and when he does have a cheat meal, he works out extra hard!
“IF I DO EAT THOSE THINGS, WHICH IS GOING TO HAPPEN, I PAY FOR MY CARNIVOROUS SINS RIGHT AWAY,” HE SAYS. “I GET MORE EXERCISE AND BURN OFF THE CALORIES. YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM AS YOU GO, AND NOT LET THEM TURN INTO 25 EXTRA POUNDS. I’M NOT GOING TO TOTALLY DEPRIVE MYSELF OF THE THINGS I LOVE TO EAT; INSTEAD I’LL EAT THEM IN MODERATION AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DEAL WITH THE FALLOUT.”
His exercise routine includes circuit training and cardio. Although nothing comes easy, he has made healthy lifestyle a priority in his life, and his progress is visibly evident.
Dave Navarro- Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers
Navarro has admitted that he traded in his drug addiction for gym addiction and he is often snapped by the paparazzi leaving the gym!
“I’M AS OBSESSIVE WITH HEALTH AS I WAS WITH DESTRUCTION.”
Dave doesn’t hold back on the stage, or in fitness. His workouts last for 2 hours at a time, and are intense. He has said in numerous interviews that his addictive personality is a character trait he enjoys as long as it’s not destructive- and in the case of his fitness addiction, it’s actually beneficial to his health and reversing the years of drug-related damage.
Jon Bon Jovi- Bon Jovi
His favorite exercise is running. He runs 6 days a week for about an hour. Don’t be surprised to see him throw on a hat and sunglasses and hit the streets for some cardio and fresh air while he is on tour. Exercising outdoors is a soothing experience for him. He also lifts weights and works on balance/stability exercises to keep his stage moves up to par. A few years ago, he also discovered yoga, and has been practicing every since.
“I WAS DOING WORKOUT 101 FOR YEARS: TREADMILL, ELLIPTICAL, WEIGHTS,” JON BON JOVI, SAID OF INCORPORATING YOGA INTO HIS ROUTINE “NOW I’M GOING TO DO YOGA, AND I ENJOY IT. I’M A 21ST-CENTURY MAN.”
He also makes sure the band also travels with a multi talented professional who is a trainer, chiropractor and nutritionist, all in one. Jon’s favorite healthy foods are grilled fish and low fat Greek yogurt. He also likes to snack on almonds, fruit and protein bars.
