How These Musicians Stay In Top Shape For Tour

Back in the day, life on the road for a chart-topping rock star was one of excess and debauchery, characterized by the familiar phrase sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Those that survived that lifestyle — and there have been many who didn’t — eventually came to the realization that the only way they’d achieve career longevity was to embrace health and fitness by putting down the substances and picking up a barbell. As a result, musicians whose entourages may have once included their own personal drug dealers are now heading out on tour with personal trainers, fitness equipment, and private chefs along for the ride to craft meals that emphasize nutrition and well-being, not opulence.

It's a lesson that hasn't been lost on the new generation of music artists, either, who are also aware that the rigors of a concert tour demand a high level of physical fitness, particularly when delivering a two-hour-plus show night after night. For a closer look at some top acts who take their fitness seriously, read on to explore how these musicians stay in top shape for tour.

A vegetarian diet and grueling performances have kept Joan Jett rocking

Joan Jett burst onto the music scene when she was a teenager as a member of the all-female rock band The Runaways. Going solo in early 1980, Jett unleashed a string of hard-rocking hits, most notably her classic 1981 single, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll."

With her 65th birthday arriving in September 2023, Jett continues to deliver the goods on stage, with a vigor that belies her age. A key reason for Jett's youthful appearance has been her refusal to fall prey to the typical rock-star vices, eschewing even alcohol and cigarettes. "Most days I feel 25," she told the New York Times in 2007, crediting her raucous live performances for keeping her fit. "It's so physical," she said of the workouts she gets during one of her stage shows.

Tim McGraw shed 40 pounds when he changed his diet and began exercising

Since the release of his debut album in 1993, country music star Tim McGraw has charted numerous hits and continues to be one of the country's top touring acts. Fans who see him in concert these days, however, may be struck by his ripped physique, something that came about only after a few years of poor dietary choices and too much partying that led to a gradual 40-pound weight gain. His wakeup call, he told Muscle & Fitness, came when he saw himself in a movie trailer, on a giant cinema screen. "My daughter said, 'Jeez, Dad. You really need to do something,'" he recalled.

He took control by overhauling his diet and embarking on an intense exercise regimen. "We'll run the stadium stairs, the arena stairs, or the grass on an amphitheater," McGraw said of his pre-concert routine, noting he’ll also work out with equipment in a gym trailer he brings with him, ranging from heavy ropes to kettlebells and tractor tires. "We'll do two hours of functional fitness," he said.

The wellness routine that powers Taylor Swift

In March 2023, Taylor Swift kicked off her Eras Tour, her biggest and most ambitious tour to date. For Swift, staying healthy and maintaining her energy to perform night after night is of paramount importance, particularly given that her performances typically last for three-and-a-half hours. While she’s rarely discussed exercise and diet, back in 2010 she spoke with WebMD about her tendency to eat healthily during the weekdays, gravitating toward yogurt, salad, and even sandwiches. However, she tries not to maintain anything that’s strictly delineated.

Swift is also a firm believer in working up a sweat with some cardio, which typically involves running on a treadmill — which also allows her to check out her musical competition while exercising. "For me, running is about blasting a whole bunch of new songs and running to the beat," she explained.

Bob Weir of Dead & Co. maintains a vigorous workout regime in his 70s

Bob Weir joined the legendary psychedelic rock group Grateful Dead when he was still a teenager. At age 75, Weir recently completed his final tour with Dead & Co., singing and playing guitar during marathon shows lasting in excess of three hours. For the lifelong exercise fanatic and former high school football quarterback, staying fit in his 70s is the key to allowing him to continue making music for as long as he can. "At my age, if you let it go, it ain’t coming back," he told Men’s Health. "I have a lot of stuff I want to get to. And I gotta f***in’ live to do it."

To stay in shape, Weir travels with a large cart full of workout gear that he brings with him on tour. Don’t look for the typical barbells and dumbbells, though; Weir prefers workouts that focus on mobility, movement, and keeping his core strong, with a routine that includes swinging a heavy gada mace or throwing a heavy ball at a trampoline and then catching it — and, of course, a lot of stretching.

Exercise has been the key to Adele's 100-pound weight loss

In 2019, British singer Adele made a major lifestyle change that resulted in a weight loss of more than 100 pounds. Discussing the attention surrounding her weight loss in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she says, "I was body positive then [before losing weight], and I’m body positive now." There was no magic formula — simply a commitment to exercise regularly and eat sensibly.