Aged 80, Rod Stewart remains a force on stage and a model for active ageing. His demanding training program, crafted with his long-time personal trainer, blends strength, mobility, and aquatic work to stay “Glasto-fit.” A recent feature from a major UK publication highlights how this multifaceted routine keeps the star performing at a high level while balancing health and travel demands.
For Thai readers facing an ageing society, Stewart’s discipline offers both a real-world example and practical takeaways. Thailand’s population is ageing rapidly, with projections showing more than 20% aged 60 and above by 2027. This context makes Stewart’s emphasis on varied exercise and regular medical monitoring especially relevant for families navigating elder care and long-term wellness.
The profile reveals a weekly schedule that is far from routine: three two-hour sessions weekly, including football drills, bodyweight work, sprinting, and resistance training such as sled pushes. The coach notes that preserving leg strength is essential for independence in later years. Stewart’s water-based sessions are particularly innovative, drawing on techniques associated with elite military training. A rebreather-guided underwater routine aims to extend breath control, inspired by conversations about lung power and performance.
Aquatic workouts span water-resistance sprints, strokes, and treading water while passing a ball to a partner. These activities deliver cardiovascular benefits while reducing joint impact—an important consideration for older adults. Research summarized in a recent geriatrics review supports the safety and efficacy of water-based exercise for seniors, showing improved heart function and muscle preservation with lower injury risk.
Beyond training, Stewart includes pre-performance massages, spin-bike intervals, and daily flexibility routines. His regimen is complemented by regular health screenings, including stress tests overseen by a cardiologist. Such medical oversight aligns with World Health Organization recommendations that emphasize preventive health checks as part of active ageing, a principle relevant to Thais pursuing long, healthy lives.
In Thailand, public-health campaigns encourage seniors to stay active, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly. Stewart’s approach goes further by stressing variety and adaptation—integrating high-intensity intervals, functional strength work, mobility, and social engagement through group drills.
Experts echo the value of a diversified plan. A geriatric medicine specialist from a leading Thai university has highlighted that combining aerobic, strength, and balance training helps maintain independence and reduce falls. This aligns with Stewart’s mix of land and water workouts. The coach adds that his approach is personalized and conducted under controlled conditions, recognizing that every senior’s abilities differ.
Stewart’s story resonates with Thai cultural values that prize community, resilience, and lifelong activity. Traditional activities such as Muay Thai, group dance, and park-based exercise are popular among older adults in Thailand, promoting both fitness and social connection. Stewart’s passion for football also mirrors the local enthusiasm for team sports among seniors in community hubs.
Looking ahead, Stewart plans to expand his wellness routine with a dedicated suite including steam, sauna, and ice therapy—tools increasingly adopted by athletes and wellness-minded Thais seeking comprehensive recovery strategies. Cold and heat therapies have gained traction in Bangkok’s wellness spaces, where medical-grade facilities are marketed to seniors and professionals alike.
With a busy concert schedule, Stewart demonstrates goal-setting as a cornerstone of healthy ageing. He trains to push the 100-meter sprint record for octogenarians, targeting a significant improvement from his current 19-second time toward a 14-second goal. Local masters’ athletics in Thailand similarly showcases older athletes achieving high-performance milestones, underscoring that ambition can endure beyond retirement.
While Stewart’s program is highly tailored, the core message is universal: seek professional guidance, monitor health, and diversify activities to protect joints, heart health, and mobility. Thai health professionals caution against rushing into high-intensity routines without medical clearance or personalization, especially for those with knee or cardiovascular concerns.
For families and seniors seeking inspiration, the takeaway is practical and actionable: consult a doctor before increasing activity, incorporate water-based exercises to protect joints, and emphasize leg strength and cardiovascular fitness. Simple, culturally resonant activities—brisk park walks, swimming, tai chi, and community football—can form the foundation of a lifelong fitness habit.
Seniors and caregivers are encouraged to explore local hospital and community-center programs offering multi-component exercise classes tailored for elders. Wellness facilities in Thailand are expanding recovery modalities like steam, sauna, and cold immersion, reflecting a growing interest in holistic health approaches.
In summary, Stewart’s regimen is instructive but not a one-size-fits-all blueprint. It highlights the value of professional supervision, gradual progression, and a blend of activities that consider both physical and cognitive health. As Thai society continues to champion active ageing, his example serves as motivation and a reminder to prioritize safety, personalization, and consistency.
For further context on healthy ageing, readers can reference Thailand’s public-health guidance on elderly wellness and global World Health Organization resources, which emphasize preventive care and sustained activity.