Chuck Norris doesn’t age – he just keeps finding new ways to outdo time. With multiple black belts across different disciplines, two martial arts systems to his name, and a long-standing dedication to strength training, Norris remains as committed to his fitness as ever.
He proved as much on Instagram earlier this week. Sharing a photo taken a few months ago, Norris flashed a grin and a fist pump, showing off impressively defined arms and shoulders. ‘Progress isn’t measured by perfection, but by the courage to keep going. I’m still setting goals, pushing forward and choosing discipline over comfort. No matter your age, keep striving for the best version of yourself,’ he wrote.
It’s not just talk, either. In summer 2024, Norris posted a video – filmed by his son – of himself ‘warming up’ with what appeared to be a 140kg barbell curl. (They may have been fake plates, but who’s going to call him out on it?) For his 85th birthday in March, he celebrated by climbing California’s Mount Lassen, which rises to more than 3,100 metres.
How Chuck Norris Trains at 85
Such accomplishments make sense once you understand how Norris approaches life. To him, age is just a number – and movement is everything. ‘I’m grateful to feel strong, healthy and energised. I don’t see age as a reason to slow down – if anything, it’s given me the chance to renew my commitment to fitness and nutrition. I make sure to move every day and fuel my body with nutrients that help me feel younger than ever,’ he told The Healthy.
‘I try to stay very active, and I believe that a body that keeps moving, moves – and one that stops, stops. So before I start my exercise, whether it’s martial arts or a session on the Total Gym, I find that moment of clarity and peace is something I can’t skip.’
The Total Gym – an incline bodyweight trainer similar to a Pilates reformer – has become almost synonymous with Norris over the past five decades. After starring in countless US adverts for the brand, he still credits the machine with keeping him strong.
He first used it in 1976 after tearing his rotator cuff while lifting weights. Rather than opting for surgery, Norris rehabbed his shoulder using the Total Gym and said his injury healed within six weeks, allowing him to return to jiu-jitsu training soon after. Even now, he incorporates unilateral work and rotates his hands through different angles to target as much of his body as possible.
Training Smarter, Not Harder
That said, Norris understands the importance of training intelligently. He still keeps up his martial arts practice but does so in a way that spares his joints. ‘Martial arts is my passion, and I’ve recently found that practising my forms in the swimming pool is a great way to stay in shape and focus on my movements. The buoyancy of the water takes a lot of pressure off my joints. I really love swimming these days, too,’ he said.
‘I’ve learned a lot about healthy ageing over the years, and one of the most important lessons is the power of listening to your body and understanding what helps it perform at its best,’ he added. ‘That also means paying attention to the type of exercise you do – making sure you’re stretching properly before you start and giving your body what it needs to recover.’
