In an insightful glimpse into the dedication required to maintain peak physical and mental form, celebrated actor Marlon Wayans recently showcased his rigorous workout routine with Men's Health, revealing a holistic approach to fitness that goes far beyond mere aesthetics, especially as he navigates his career past 50. Wayans, who describes himself as 52 years old, emphasizes that his best years are still ahead of him, driven by a desire to preserve his youth and continue playing roles typically suited for younger actors, even suggesting he could "still play 35".
The actor's current training regimen is partly in preparation for an upcoming promotion, where he aims to avoid looking "like a mess" after previously indulging in celebrations post-filming. However, his approach to fitness, particularly for his role as the character Isaiah, transcends standard physical conditioning. Wayans describes it as a "mental spiritual journey," guided by Adam Quinter, whom he refers to as "the guru". This journey involves adopting the mindset of a "goat" (greatest of all time), drawing parallels to figures like Michael Jordan and Tom Brady.
This involves cultivating a specific mentality, a dedicated spirit, and finding peace within restlessness, acquiring a stillness he previously lacked. His holistic regimen incorporates meditation, red light therapy, stretching, and dynamic workouts, alongside unconventional techniques like putting his foot on an unflattened ball.
His workout with Men's Health primarily features High-Intensity Interval Training (HIT), moving swiftly from one exercise to the next with the goal of "cutting up" his body and sculpting his muscles. Unconventionally, the routine begins with core exercises, an approach favored by his trainer to ensure the core remains engaged and focused throughout the entire session. Wayans performs three sets of 20 posture sit-ups, followed by three sets of heavy planks, enduring the added challenge of chains, which he jokingly detests.
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Marlon Wayans Shows Off His Workout To Stay Fit Over 50
The chest workout includes five sets of 20 heavy, wide push-ups, also with a chain, designed to build and sculpt the entire chest, with variations in hand placement targeting different areas. For back strength and posture, Wayans incorporates back extensions, sometimes weighted, highlighting their importance for a solid core and symmetric look. He also performs four sets of eight heavy pull-ups, adding a "little evil thing" (presumably a chain or added weight), acknowledging pull-ups as an excellent full-body movement for biceps, back, and lats, crucial for achieving a strong, wide, and "cut" back.
Lower body and full-body conditioning are addressed through step-ups with weights, which are praised for moving blood throughout the body, working glutes, hamstrings, and quads, building stamina, and burning fat. The session concludes with a weighted sled push, approximately 280 lbs., which Wayans likens to pushing Charles Barkley. This comprehensive exercise engages the core, back, and legs, especially the calves, providing a full-body workout with a cardio component.
Wayans' preparation for the Isaiah role also involved specific football training, despite his initial lack of experience. He attended Jordan Palmer's camp, where he was taught to "walk again" in terms of throwing a football, focusing on looking and acting the part. He views Isaiah as a composite of various greats, notably embracing the "darkness" or "dark side" often attributed to figures like Kobe Bryant, believing that allowing himself to live in that darkness would ultimately enhance the "greatness in my performance".
Reflecting on his dedication, Wayans trains four to five days a week when he has a trainer. He feels "unstoppable, relentless, and focused" after a workout, firmly believing that success is not about one singular achievement but about pouring oneself into every aspect of the work and making goals happen. He draws inspiration from black actors like Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Samuel L. Jackson, who also "cracked" in their 50s, jokingly noting, "black men, we look damn good". For Marlon Wayans, consistent effort and a holistic approach to well-being are the keys to sustained performance and enduring youth.
