By swimming across the challenging strait from Europe to Africa, Bollywood star and model Milind Soman has once again proved that age is just a number. At 60, he remains one of India's most iconic fitness figures. But how does he maintain such peak physical condition without even stepping foot in a gym or relying on protein supplements?
Fitness doesn't have to be expensive. Milind built his incredible conditioning through a simple, cost-free routine—prioritising how his body feels and functions over how it looks for decades.
In a recent interview with The Times of India, he revealed that he has never relied on traditional gym equipment to maintain his fitness. "People see me as incredibly fit, but I only exercise for 10-15 minutes a day," he said.
The secret, he notes, is continuous daily movement. Rather than following a rigid plan, he scales his workouts dynamically—increasing the intensity or duration only when his energy levels are naturally high.
Running and bodyweight exercises
His passion for endurance sports is well known, with running forming a core part of his daily fitness routine. Marathons, trail runs, cycling—you name it, he does it. Every week, he covers an average of 60 to 70 km running or cycling.
Rather than complicated gym machines, he believes in exercises that can be done from anywhere. "Pull-ups, push-ups, planks- these are all I need to stay strong," he says.
Healthy diet
He consistently emphasises simplicity in his diet, steering clear of unnecessary complications. Instead, he actively rejects processed foods, protein bars, and commercial supplements in favour of whole nutrition.
He starts his morning with plenty of water, fresh fruits, and nuts. For lunch, he eats traditional Indian foods like lentils, vegetables, and rice or roti, always topped with a spoonful of pure ghee.
He says he completely avoids overly processed and packaged foods. He does not drink soft drinks, artificial vitamins or supplements.
He drinks alcohol only once or twice a year, and that too in a glass. He never uses water that has been chilled in the fridge.
Not a pre-dawner
Milind has openly stated that he is not a pre-dawner. "I usually wake up at 8:30 am. I rest in bed for the next hour," he had told earlier.
He goes for a run around 10 a.m. He doesn't stay up too late, making sure his body gets proper rest and sleep.
He also emphasised that consistency is the trick to staying fit and healthy. He aims for long-term health through regular exercise, mindful eating, outdoor activities, and giving his body rest.
Fitness should not be about spending money; it should be about self-discipline, balance, and respecting the natural needs of the body.
