SOCCER ICON DAVID Beckham has always been extremely fit, since staying in shape was part of the job description as a world-class footballer. Now that his playing days are over and he’ll turn the big 5-0 this May, his fitness regimen has evolved—but it’s still a major focus in his life. “We talk about health so much more than we did 10, 20 years ago,” Beckham told MH for his March/April cover story. “It’s everything.”
Beckham trained daily over his 22-year playing career in the Premier League, MLS, and captaining England’s national team. Today he’s shifted his attention to strength and conditioning work, which has replaced all that sport-specific cardio and lower-body focus. “Most of the strength work that I used to do was all leg-based,” he told MH. “These days, the leg strength is already there, and the body strength is something I really focus on.”
Beckham’s upper-body training helps him deal with back pain that still bothers him from old injuries. He also said he’s shifted from hating to loving a crucial back training exercise: the pull-up. “That’s one machine I actually can’t live without, and it’s not complicated. It’s a bar.”
But fitness remains a major part of his life for more than just routine or aesthetics. Beckham’s workouts allow him to stay connected with his family. He routinely trains with his wife, Victoria—and he knows that his kids are aware of his commitment to his health. He hopes that will rub off on them, too. “I think the fact that they see me in the gym, every single day, doing something, keeping active—I think that’s enough to motivate them,” he says. “I’m lucky with that.”
Check out the video above to learn more about Beckham’s workout and diet at 50, including his dream workout partner, his favorite foods to eat, cook and grow, and his opinions on cheat meals.
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