In the words of Samir Becic, “You have more control over your body than you think- you can control, manage, or completely avoid 60-70% of known chronic conditions with physical fitness, healthy nutrition, and mental balance.” Every racial or ethnic group has their own health concerns to be aware of. This list of Fittest Asian-American Celebrities are no different, and they cope by exercising, eating right, and staying active.
The celebrities on this list not only lead healthy lifestyles, but also promote healthy living to their fans. The celebrity’s fitness level, nutritional habits, age, and medical issues and how they coped with them were all taken into consideration.
Here is Samir Becic and Health Fitness Revolution‘s List of the Top 10 Fittest Asian-American Celebrities in alphabetical order:
Julie Chen
“I work out six days a week. Three days a week, I work with my trainer doing CrossFit, two days a week doing yoga, and one day a week Pilates. Sundays are my days off most of the time. Otherwise, it’s treadmill and maybe some weights. I do it first thing in the morning. I get up an hour earlier to get it done. I love it.”
- American television personality- Mother is Chinese
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Cross-fit
- Work out with a trainer
- Runs
Daniel Dae Kim
“I go from pull-ups to three chest exercises; then I’ll do back, then shoulders, biceps, abs, lower back, then squats, then calves. I’ll work down the body until I feel that every part is exhausted.”
- Korean-American Actor
- Works out 4-5 times a week
- Usually 3 sets of up to 15 different exercises
- Rests very little in between reps
- Runs 3 miles at the end of workouts and on off days
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Hiking
James Kyson Lee
“My favorite sport right now is Ultimate Frisbee – i try to play about once a week. I also enjoy yoga, basketball, hiking, softball and scuba diving”.
- South Korean born American Actor
- Yoga
- Hiking
- Basketball
- Scuba Diving
- Softball
Lucy Lui
“Pilates introduced me to muscles I never even knew I had. Soon I started to feel longer and leaner. Ten years of Pilates has really changed my body for the better.”
- American actress,model, and artist- parents are from Taiwan
- Does kickboxing and other martial arts
- Pilates
- Running
- Has a good diet with one cheat day a week
- Starts her day with juice made of bananas and berries
- Enjoys breakfast burritos with spinach, fried egg, and tomatoes
- Enjoes fish with steamed vegetables or salad for dinner
- Her cheats may be veggie pizza or pasta for extra carbs
Maggie Q
“I exercise every day and there’s nothing I don’t do. I run, I do yoga, I swim, I bike, I box. I love to box. I’m a huge boxer.”
- American actress, animal rights activist,and former model- Mother is Vietnamese
- Follows a vegan diet
- Typical breakfast consists of a smoothie made with spirulina,barley, milk, fruit, and greens
- Lunch usually includes kale, steamed rice, and lentil stew
- Favorite dinner is a sweet potato,quinoa, and salad
- Yoga
- Boxing
- Martial arts
- Swims
Nicole Scherzinger
“Stay active, eat everything in moderation, and stop being so tough on myself,”
- American recording artist, actress, and television personality- Father is of Filipino descent
- Works out 4-6 times a week
- Mix of strength moves and cardio
- Works out with personal trainer Adam Ernster
- Eats 3-6 meals a day depending on her activity
- Jogs
- Swims
- Dance
- Weight Lifts
- Circuit Training
- Yoga
- 30-40 minutes a day to jogging and other cardio workouts
- 30 minutes a day for circuit training
- 2 days a week are dedicated to lunges, dead lift squats, crunches on exercise ball and yoga
- Overcame Bulimia and now lives a healthy lifestyle
Harry Shum Jr.
“I try to get a sensible workout three times a week . . . I’m trying to figure out ways that my body can still maintain these vigorous shows and routines.”
- Chinese American Actor
- To maintain his abs for “Glee” he has to do constant crunches
- Use apps like Yoga Studio, Runtastic Pull Ups Trainer Pro, Bodyweight Training, Nike Running, and Ab workout: 8 minute abs to help stay in shape
Chuti Tiu
“Dancing around the house like a madwoman whenever I’m inspired. And meditation, prayer – the spiritual/psychological side is just as if not more important than the physical.”
- American Actress- Chinese descent
- Believes in taking anti-aging multivitamins
- Takes Chinese herbs from her acupuncturist
- Works out 3 times per week
- Does Sebastien Lagree’s SPX workout which is an ultra intense form of Pilates
- Elliptical machines
- Takes walks
- Light Weights
Steven Yeun
“Whatever I lack in size and strength and speed, I kind of make up for in being grittier. When it comes to something like basketball I’m definitely not the best guy on the court, but I love elbowing and pushing people out or boxing them out.”
- Korean American Actor
- Really into boxing
- Does a lot of running while on set
- Played hockey, football, and basketball growing up
Rick Yune
“I actually went to the U.S. Training Center and worked there for a bit. I did Golden Gloves [competitions], too.”
- American actor, screenwriter, producer, martial artists, and former model- Korean descent
- High intensity training
- Eats according to his blood type
- Does research to stay on a regimented diet year around
- Boxing
- Running
- Known as the “Iron fist”
Honorable Mention:
Kimora Lee Simmons
“I’m on the fabulosity diet….It’s a little workout, a good diet.”
- American former model and designer; Japanese mother
- Eats very little sweets and junk
- Helps her family to be healthy as well
- Eats lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Eats organic
- Cardio everyday
- Walks for at least 30 minutes a day
- Lost 25 lbs.
