After announcing his retirement from all basketball activities on March 12, 2026, former NBA star Dwight Howard came into the spotlight when he posted a shirtless photo on Instagram flexing his physique.

However, he went viral not for his physique but for the statement he made about all the other NBA starters who retired.

On July 1, Howard shared an Instagram post in which he wrote, “Me at 40 😅 your fav players got fat after they retired.”

The sudden physical revelation came four months after his emotional March 12 digital announcement. The future Hall of Famer officially vowed to 'take off the Superman cape' to prioritize his family and global community outreach, as per X. 

Howard, who turned 40 on December 8, 2025, has shown intense power in his professional career.

He defined the modern NBA center by combining interior power with intense athleticism. Selected 1st overall in the 2004 NBA Draft, Howard earned the title of 8-time All-Star champ and anchored the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. Howard's power was also defined by rebounding prowess, unprecedented defensive accolades, and raw strength.

Even after retirement, posting his latest pic, the champ revealed that retirement does not make you unhealthy.

Although Howard did not mention any NBA star's name, there are some of the champs who openly admitted to becoming fat after retirement, including Shaquille O’Neal, who during his interview with People in 2023, as posted by Yahoo.com, said, 

“My way was a good way, but I didn’t really take it seriously until I looked in the mirror six, seven years after I retired. I looked terrible. I had no definition, and basically, I was fat. I was really fat”.

Another one was Charles Barkley, who struggled with weight after his retirement in 2000. Barkley's playing weight was nearly 250 lbs, and it increased to nearly 350 lbs after his retirement.

There are many other champs, but Howard has shown how to stay fit at 40. The secret is his workout.

Dwight Howard’s workout approach

In the same Instagram video, Howard was seen doing some exercises.

The movements include:

• Inverted Row
• Sumo Deadlift, also known as a sumo squat with a barbell
• Cardio or conditioning exercises with an air bike
• Some dumbbell Free-Weight Workouts.

Apart from his workouts, Howard has a strong mindset and knows how and when to transform his body. During the 2023-2024 offseason, he even shifted to one meal a day and lost weight. However, that was only possible because of his strong mental capacity.

Routine plays another vital role in his career and in his fitness. It is his mental strength and a consistent fitness routine that help Howard stay fit even in his 40s and after retirement.

What do you think of the mental fortitude it takes to keep fit in your 40's?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi