RadarOnline.com can reveal Rod Stewart has sparked fears his lungs – and even his coronary heart – might give out as he submits to punishing underwater drills and dash coaching at 81, decided to defy age forward of a grueling 2026 tour.
The British rock legend, who reached one other milestone birthday in January, is getting ready for 37 dates throughout the US and Europe in 2026 – and in preparation is sustaining a health regime on his English property that features the usage of an indoor swimming pool, personal fitness center, golf course, and 100-meter operating monitor.
Stewart, who has battled prostate and thyroid most cancers up to now, can also be chasing a 100m world report for his age group – a objective that has alarmed these closest to him.
“I maintain myself very match,” Stewart lately declared. “I performed soccer all my life – do not a lot anymore, as a result of I had a knee alternative. And I’ve all the time had a coach – identical man for 38 years.” That coach, Gary O’Connor, buildings Stewart’s exercises round longevity reasonably than self-importance.
“It’s a must to have a look at what’s attainable, what’s repeatable – in different phrases, it needs to be one thing you are able to do frequently – and it is obtained to be related to your life-style,” O’Connor mentioned.
But Stewart’s regime is much from light. It was impressed a long time in the past by recommendation from Frank Sinatra, who instructed him: “Rod, the key to being an incredible singer is having highly effective lungs – do plenty of underwater swimming, the place you maintain your breath.”
Stewart has constructed aquatic endurance into the core of his coaching on account of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ recommendation. “We do plenty of underwater coaching, the place the coach throws a brick into the pool and I’ve to dive in, push the brick to the top of the pool, and are available up,” Stewart mentioned.
Flippers and rebreather tubes are typically used, and periods can contain treading water whereas holding a brick overhead or dragging weighted objects from deep to shallow ends.
“He actually likes doing this as a result of he says it helps his singing. That is all about holding your breath,” O’Connor added. “We have now obstacles, and he is the type of man who says, ‘Time me,’ after which tries to beat it. These aren’t simply swim periods – they’re nearly military-type exercises.”
Stewart’s ambitions stretch past stamina for his two-hour stage reveals. However medical observers be aware that high-intensity sprinting and extended breath management workout routines can considerably spike blood stress and coronary heart fee, significantly in older athletes.
A supply conversant in Stewart’s preparations mentioned, “At his age, pushing for explosive pace and excessive breath-hold capability is extraordinary. The worry is not about dedication – it is about biology.”
It comes after Stewart introduced his ambition to set a brand new sprinting world report for his age group. The rock icon final yr acknowledged about his objective for a 100m dash: “I’ll attempt to do 17 seconds, which I believe is a world report for an 80-year-old.”
Stewart has been coaching on the personal 100-meter monitor at his property, aiming to beat his present greatest time of 19 seconds. We will reveal a member of the family has pleaded with him in regards to the ambition: “Do not do it! We’re frightened your coronary heart will actually explode.”
However hard-living Stewart stays undeterred – regardless of lately being noticed out boozing in any respect hours. The singer’s well being has additionally been a subject of concern in recent times.
In 2016, Stewart was identified with prostate most cancers however selected to not inform his youngsters, saying: “I did not wish to fear them, and I am all clear now.” He additionally underwent surgical procedure in 2000 for a cancerous tumor in his thyroid gland, which he later realized might have jeopardized his singing voice.
Final January, Stewart celebrated his eightieth birthday with a lavish 10-day yacht get together, organized by his spouse, Penny Lancaster, 54. The celebration included themed dress-up nights, with one night devoted to everybody dressing as Stewart himself.
Reflecting on the occasion, he mentioned, “We employed a large yacht. Value me an absolute fortune. I do not thoughts – you are solely 80 as soon as.”