Fitness is the reason behind Penélope Cruz's longevity. Whether it's the 1992 Spanish romantic comedy-drama Jamón, jamón (Ham, Ham) or Michael Mann's biographical drama Ferrari (2023), Cruz continues to take on projects at 51.

With multiple projects like The Invite and The Bride in the pipeline, here's how Curz has kept herself in shape throughout the years.

1. Cardio is her go-to

If you are wondering what the Volver fame actress' favorite exercise is, it's strength training with cardio. "I studied classical ballet for 17 years, and it had so many benefits for me. Now I just do resistance work and a little cardio," she said in a 2021 interview.

2. Penélope Cruz believes in moderation

In an interview, the 51-year-old actress said that while she does do cardio sessions, she only does it for no more than an hour and only three to four times a week.

3. Exercise is what she begins her day with

Cruz has confessed that the very first thing she does, if she is not occupied by work, is exercise.

"I wake up around 7:30 a.m. I need seven or eight hours of sleep a night. If I’m not working, I try to exercise in the morning. Then I have breakfast with my family, and if it’s a school day, I get my two kids, Leo and Luna, ready to leave," Cruz told Elle Canada.

4. It's just about her physical fitness

The Parallel Mothers actress does exercise just for the sake of keeping her body fit. She also does it for her mind. In an interview, she was asked how she unwinds.

“I get enough sleep and exercise. I also practise Transcendental Meditation; I did it for years in my 20s, and it really helped me. An occasional long massage is also great.”

5. Restrictive dieting is not a Penélope Cruz thing

Yup, she does not diet. She has confessed to her fridge being stuffed with lots of organic fruit and vegetables and free-range meat and fish, as well as quinoa, pasta, brown rice, coconut sugar, stevia, and chocolate.

"I love eating healthily. I don’t follow a particular diet, but I love organic, healthy food; my kids also eat this way," she said. While talking to People Magazine, she also revealed that she loves vegetarian burgers as well.

6. She does Bikram yoga

"I do Bikram yoga, which has completely changed my body," Cruz told InStyle magazine. "You're drenched in sweat throughout the entire class. It's 90 minutes, but once you conquer 60, the last 30 gets easier."

Bikram Yoga is basically a routine of 26 yoga poses practised within 90 minutes in a room heated to 40.5 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) with 40% humidity.

Now that you know the rules of Penelope Cruz, which one are you instilling in your routine?

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi