No gym, no weight-lifting: Akshay Kumar reveals secret to staying fit at 58, says he follow one ancient diet rule from shastras to stay trim

Akshay Kumar looks impeccably fit and trim at 58. Believe it or not, Bollywood’s ‘Khiladi’ doesn’t go to the gym! In an old interview with Times Of India, the Welcome actor confessed that he is not a gymbro. “I usually don’t go to a gym unless I am travelling and I have to..”. However, the actor is known among his fans as a fitness icon nevertheless. Here’s how he has achieved peak fitness without frequenting the gym.

Pick Up Your Own Weight

In the interview with Times Of India, Akshay explained that he doesn’t focus on weightlifting to be fit, but prioritises working on functional strength. While he acknowledged that resistance training can be highly beneficial when done correctly, his personal preference had always been to use his own body weight to build strength and endurance.

According to him, activities such as pull-ups, climbing, swinging from branches, and other natural movements provide an excellent workout. He believes these exercises resemble the active lifestyle many people enjoyed during childhood, when physical activity came naturally through play rather than structured gym sessions.


Akshay also made it clear that there is nothing wrong with bodybuilding or lifting weights. However, he advised fitness enthusiasts to avoid becoming dependent on protein powders, supplements, or meal-replacement shakes in the pursuit of muscle growth. Instead, he encouraged maintaining a balanced diet and adopting healthy, sustainable fitness habits.

He further stressed the importance of exercising responsibly. Choosing the appropriate amount of weight and using the correct lifting technique are essential to prevent injuries, particularly to the spine and lower back. He recommended training under the supervision of a qualified instructor who can ensure proper form and reduce the risk of long-term damage.

More Endurance Based Workouts

In a chat with Ranveer Allahabadia, he revealed he focuses on a lot of free-hand exercises such as pushup, pullups and squats. In a 2025 chat with TOI, he revealed he regularly practices martial arts and kickboxing exercises to enhance striking power, agility, balance, and hand-eye coordination.

To strengthen cardiovascular fitness and stamina, he includes endurance-based activities such as running, swimming, and cycling. Instead of relying primarily on gym machines or heavy weights, he develops functional strength through bodyweight movements like pull-ups, rope climbing, hanging leg raises, and push-ups, which improve muscle control and core stability. He also dedicates time to mobility drills, stretching sessions, and yoga, helping maintain flexible muscles, healthy joints, better posture, and a full range of motion while reducing the risk of injuries.

A Balanced Diet

At a book launch, the superstar revealed he maintains a full-day fast on Mondays. He also stated several times that he does not eat after 6:30 pm. “I think that among all the parts in your body, if you pay maximum attention to your stomach, diseases will not come near you. So this is what I always follow. So eating at 6:30 is important because you get your time to digest your food, and by the time when you are about to sleep by 9-9:30, 10 o'clock, the stomach is completely ready to rest, and that's it. It’s also written in our shastras that we should not be eating at night. So, it's a very simple thing..” he said.

In the old interview with TOI, the actor said he avoids carbs and focuses on a protein-heavy diet and steers clear of processed foods. His diet consists of eggs, brown rice, lean meat like chicken as well as walnuts, cranberries, almond and milk.

Akshay Kumar was recently seen in the comedy film Welcome To The Jungle. The movie is about to hit the Rs 100 crore mark globally.