Now showing in South African cinemas, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning proves Tom Cruise is still sprinting, leaping and defying gravity like a man half his age – and it’s all thanks to one thing: consistency.
At 62, Cruise is jumping off cliffs, clinging to airborne planes and still running full tilt through explosions. And according to the man himself, it’s his consistent, habitual workout routine that makes it all possible.
Speaking at a press event for The Final Reckoning, Cruise told Entertainment Tonight: “I work seven days a week. I live on movie sets and in editing rooms – that’s been my life. I just finished another movie. I have four more lined up. I look at a body kind of like a car… I have to take care of it.”
‘For me, it’s like brushing my teeth’
To keep the engine running, Cruise treats his workouts like hygiene. “You gotta brush your teeth – we’re all like, ‘Oh God, do I really have to?’ But it just takes a minute. That’s how I have to train my body.”
READ MORE: How Cristiano Ronaldo Stays in Peak Shape at 40—His Full Diet and Training Routine
This consistency has allowed him to keep doing what he loves – and what his action-packed films demand. From piloting jets and helicopters to skydiving, paragliding and even speed flying, Cruise stays in stunt shape through regular, purposeful training.
“I’m training all the time,” he says. “I fly aerobatic airplanes. I fly jets. I fly helicopters. I parachute.” And while he didn’t give away the exact blueprint of his routine, Cruise’s lean, capable physique suggests a mix of time-savvy full-body resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning.
Want to train like Cruise?
You won’t need a private jet or Hollywood budget to follow his example – just a consistent, no-excuses approach. Try this epic 7-move, full-body dumbbell workout for major muscle gains – it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for functional training you can do anywhere.
And if you want to add some Tom Cruise-type ‘fun’ to your weekends, consider mixing up your routine with outdoor activities like sea kayaking, trail running or even caving. Cruise is known for embracing adventure – both on screen and off.
This isn’t just action-hero theatre. In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Cruise stood on the wing of a flying plane for real. “The wind is hitting you so hard you can’t breathe,” he said. “I had to even figure out how to breathe on the wing.”
While most men in their 60s are slowing down, Cruise is still cranking the throttle – proving that with the right mindset and consistency, age really is just a number.
Want To Level Up Your Fitness At Any Age?
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This article by Andrew tracey was originally published on Men’s Health UK – additional reporting and products added by the Men’s Health SA team.
