Kate Moss\u2019s mantra may once have been that \u2018nothing tastes as good as skinny feels\u2019, but we\u2019re much more into Sophia Loren\u2019s motto, as told to Life Magazine back in 1961: \u2018Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.\u2019<\/p>\n
Still. Pasta<\/a>, it turns out, is only one part of the 91-year-old actress\u2019s programme. In 2020, she told Haute Living San Francisco<\/a>: \u2018I have always been a person who prioritised exercise and a disciplined lifestyle in terms of physical and mental activity. To this day, I still wake up at 6am every day and go through a 45-minute calisthenics routine to start the day on the right foot and with a good frame of mind.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018There\u2019s always an excuse to do nothing,\u2019 she has previously been quoted as saying. \u2018That\u2019s why I force myself to go out and walk for an hour.\u2019 The benefits are about more than staying in shape, she has explained. Exercise and activity \u2018also give my daily life structure and focus\u2019.<\/p>\n Loren may be a long-term proponent of calisthenics<\/a>, but the retro exercise is suddenly experiencing a social media boom. \u2018You only have to tap the word \u201ccallisthenics\u201d into your search bar and you\u2019ll immediately be drowning in images of people seemingly defying gravity: holding handstands, balancing in horizontal human flags and moving as if Newton\u2019s theories on gravity were just gentle suggestions,\u2019 says GH fitness expert Kim Hawley<\/a>.<\/p>\n It may look intimidating, but Kim is reassuring: \u2018Every form of movement has an entry point and, simply put, calisthenics is simply bodyweight training with a blend of strength, balance and, perhaps most importantly, mobility. These are the exact skills we need to fiercely protect as we age. After all, there is little glory in being able to run a marathon if you need a 10-minute warm-up just to bend down and pick your socks up.\u2019<\/p>\n Callisthenics is amazing for teaching the body how to move well, she explains, especially as we age: \u2018Squatting movements strengthen the lower body for everyday tasks like getting out of chairs. Push moves strengthen the upper body, helping with simple things like getting off the floor, while functional core work improves stability and balance, helping reduce the risk of the dreaded fall.\u2019<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t quite enough of a workout on its own, though. \u2018Ideally, we should incorporate some dedicated weight training into our routine, but ultimately you don\u2019t need to master one-handed handstands to reap the rewards of callisthenics,\u2019 says Kim. And the best bit? \u2018You don\u2019t need any equipment or a gym membership.\u2019<\/p>\n Five classic callisthenics moves to try<\/p>\n This year, GH is getting fit (enough). Join us! <\/p>\n The Fit (Enough) Club is an accessible, realistic and fun fitness community for women who hate fads and like treats. Sign up to the Good Life newsletter and, along with wellness tips and health advice, you\u2019ll get a weekly dose of fitness advice and expert insights \u2013 a Fit (Enough) Club fix to keep you moving and motivated throughout 2026. You\u2019ll also receive your special welcome pack. <\/p>\n Ready? Get set… Go!<\/p>\n