HARRY STYLES, the former One Direction star, has become an unlikely poster child for fitness in the music industry, gracing the cover of Runner’s World with a sub-three-hour finish in the Berlin marathon. In an interview with Japanese author Haruki Murakami, Styles said Murakami’s work helped him see that music does not have to be an unhealthy profession. ‘Being healthy makes you able to be an artist for a long time,’ Styles said. ‘You can be a structured, healthy person and make great work.’

From Stage to Stair Sprints

The musician’s approach is not an isolated case. Taylor Swift reportedly runs eight miles on a treadmill while performing her entire repertoire to prepare for concerts. Meanwhile, Tom Grennan, known for his energetic live performances, has been likened to a ‘musical athlete’ by his trainer Tom Lowe. Grennan’s shows are described as ‘tuneful HIIT workouts,’ with the singer sprinting up and down the stage before taking off his top to rapturous applause.

Lowe, founder of LowFlo gym, explains that Grennan’s touring lifestyle requires rigorous fitness management. ‘He burns 800 to 1,000 calories per show and has to manage his voice while staying healthy and injury-free. He is a musical athlete,’ Lowe said. The need for consistency is crucial, as a cancelled show can be disastrous for both the artist and their team.

Trainers like Lowe and Thibo David, who worked with Styles from 2018 to 2021, emphasize that the focus during a tour is on maintaining rather than building fitness. ‘Injury would have big repercussions on tours and shoots, so although he’s super-fit, it’s not like training an athlete where you can just keep on pushing,’ David said.

Health Metrics and Recovery Routines

Grennan’s approach to maintaining his fitness includes tracking sleep and health metrics via a Whoop band, performing resistance band workouts in hotel rooms, and avoiding takeaways for nutrient-dense meals. He also has a consistent recovery routine around shows, which includes using Normatec compression boots and hydration strategies.

‘We’re three or four years deep into working together, he’s probably gone past 60 shows in that time, and he’s never cancelled. Something’s going right there,’ Lowe said. The pair have developed a recovery routine, helping the singer bounce back during busy periods. ‘On the last tour he was so active on stage, then he would come straight off and we would get the Normatec compression boots on, get the hydration going – we would treat it like a professional sports team,’ Lowe explained.

The benefits of exercise extend beyond physical health. According to Joshua Davidson, a lecturer in clinical exercise science at the University of Derby, engaging in physically challenging activities can stimulate the release of dopamine and endorphins, creating feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. This is particularly relevant for musicians like Grennan, who seek challenge through activities like CrossFit, Hyrox, and half-marathons.

Lowe notes that Grennan’s fitness journey has been significant. ‘Firstly, dropping off drink and drugs and finding fitness – it’s clearly his source of endorphin release and his way to get rid of the anxiety or whatever he’s going through at the time,’ Lowe said. ‘Life is full of ups and downs, but in recent years, there have consistently been more ups than downs, and he has linked that with training and being around positive people.’

Training Regimens and Physical Transformation

The physical transformation Grennan has undergone is evident. ‘His whole body has changed phenomenally. The stylist didn’t know what was happening when they tried to fit his trousers because he was putting on leg muscle,’ Lowe said. Grennan has invested in personal training, private chefs, and other health-focused measures to sustain his career for the long term.

Styles and his team also engage in rigorous training. According to David, they would do stair sprints in stadiums around his Love On Tour shows. In addition, they have developed a bodyweight workout challenge that includes a variety of exercises.

A sample routine involves partitioning exercises like 10 press-ups, 10 sit-ups, and 10 squats into circuits. For example, one could complete 10 rounds of this circuit. This approach allows for flexibility and intensity, helping musicians maintain their fitness without overexertion.

Lowe and Grennan use £20 resistance bands for upper-body workouts while staying in hotels. Their go-to upper-body workout involves completing a different exercise each minute in a circuit format. The aim is to perform as many repetitions as possible in each 60-second window, maintaining good technique, then moving on to the next exercise.

The shift from the ‘sex, drugs, and rock and roll’ lifestyle to a more health-conscious approach is not just a trend; it’s a necessity for longevity in the music industry. As trainers and artists adapt to this new norm, the focus is on sustainability, performance, and overall wellbeing.