The Super Bowl-worthy workout Usher swears by

Exercise in style

The Super Bowl-worthy workout Usher swears by.

After revealing a ripped torso during his iconic halftime performance, the 45-year-old is honing his fitness for an upcoming world tour in an extremely surprising way.

Celebrity health and wellness regimes are a constant source of fascination and scrutiny for the masses, as we mere mortals pore over details of how Hugh Jackman is still in such great shape at 55, or how Taylor Swift summons the stamina to look so composed and energised after a 45-song set night after night on the Eras Tour.

While the workouts of the rich and famous can draw criticism for the sheer extremes they’re willing to go to, sometimes their secrets and tips for staying at the top of their game can provide practical inspiration for our own routines.

The latest A-lister to provide an insight into their health regimen? Grammy-winning muso, Usher. The “Confessions” crooner recently revealed to The Wall Street Journal that his wellness habits include everything from drinking celery juice to meditating, yoga and even fasting one day a week: “I fast on Wednesdays. I typically start around 11 pm the previous day, then go the entire day on Wednesday just drinking water.”

Anyone who watched Usher’s Super Bowl performance, during which the singer stripped off his shirt to reveal an impressively toned torso, would be forgiven for thinking the star spends hours pumping weights in the gym to keep fit. Not so. The star confessed instead to being a fan of a popular low-impact exercise with a trending twist – reverse walking.

“Normally, my workout regimen starts with either walking or certain knee activations and reverse walking that I do to really engage my quads, my knees, and glutes,” he told WSJ. “Other than that, swimming is a really good thing to get me going and bike riding. Weight lifting – don’t do a lot of that.”

Science has long confirmed the extensive health benefits of walking, from helping to improve blood sugar levels to easing joint pain and aiding weight loss. However, reverse walking – the act of simply walking backward – is a social media phenomenon that despite its popularity with TikTok users, experts say is an exercise that does actually have some legs.

“While it may seem unusual at first glance, the benefits reverse walking offers to both the body and mind are truly remarkable,” says PT and nutritionist, Rachael Sacerdoti. “It engages different muscles than forward walking and requires greater balance and coordination, which can increase overall stability. In addition, it improves muscle activation by strengthening muscles that are not usually used during forward walking, such as the calves and hamstrings.”

Walking backward can boost joint health by reducing stress and impact on the knees, adds Sacerdoti, and it also offers additional, more intense cardiovascular benefits as it’s not a movement that we do naturally every day.

“Whatever your age, this trend can be a charming addition to your fitness repertoire. It offers a low-impact workout with high-impact results, catering to a wide range of ages and fitness levels,” she says. “Plus, it can be a fantastic workout for the mind, stimulating coordination and spatial awareness.”

Fancy incorporating a bit of reverse walking into your own exercise routine? Sacerdoti suggests aiming for around 15 minutes, two to three times a week, to feel the benefits.

Reverse walking is having a moment. Image: iStock

“As with any exercise, caution is key,” she advises. “Be mindful of your surroundings to avoid potential hazards, such as uneven terrain if you’re outside. Additionally, if you have existing joint issues or balance concerns, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on this trend.”

So while we probably won’t be taking to the Super Bowl stage anytime soon, we can still give reverse walking a red-hot go and feel the “Burn” doing Usher’s favourite exercise.

Originally published as The Super Bowl-worthy workout Usher swears by