At 61, Yasmin Le Bon isn't chasing marathon gym sessions or elaborate routines. Instead, she's built a fitness approach around efficiency, letting go of anything that doesn't serve her body anymore. 

The supermodel has been open about how age and experience have reshaped the way she trains, favoring shorter, more targeted workouts over the longer sessions she once relied on. Strength work and low-impact movement now form the backbone of her routine, particularly time spent on her VersaClimber. 

Central to her philosophy is a focus on upper-body strength. Speaking with Jo Good on Sheer Luxe, she explained her thinking behind it. 

"The strength stuff is really key. Women always forget upper-body strength, and if you don't do that, you're doing yourself and your body a big disservice," Le Bon said during the interview with Sheer Luxe.

Weightlifting still features in her week, but the way she approaches it has shifted. Rather than lingering over long sessions, she now moves briskly between exercises, cutting her gym time roughly in half compared to before. 

Experience has also shaped her current mindset. Years spent practicing martial arts, a sport she genuinely enjoyed, left her with a string of injuries.

"'I used to do a martial art which I absolutely loved," Le Bon said during the interview. "I had a fantastic time, [but] I injured myself many times. It's probably a good thing that I did...stop doing that because I could possibly have gotten into quite a bit of trouble."

During a recent interview with Hello, she said that what used to work for her body no longer applies, which is why her week now blends Pilates, strength training, and a mix of other movement rather than one fixed formula. Short sessions remain non-negotiable throughout. 

The VersaClimber, in particular, has earned a permanent spot in her routine. She's praised it for delivering a full-body challenge while staying easy on the joints, crediting its rehab-inspired design for protecting her back and knees.

Recovery gets just as much attention as training itself. Between regular physiotherapy, ongoing support for back issues, and a conscious effort to cut back on alcohol, Yasmin Le Bon treats maintenance as a priority, not an afterthought, in staying strong long-term. 

The best kinds of exercises for women over 50 

Weight-bearing exercise is key to aging well. It builds strength, improves posture, and helps with balance. A little high-impact or plyometric work can also help keep bones strong. 

Resistance training stands out as one of the most effective ways to offset the physical toll of aging. 

Whether it's bodyweight moves, free weights, or resistance bands, it helps maintain the muscle needed for everyday life and can lower the risk of conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. It's never too late to start, even for complete beginners. 

The right routine varies from person to person, depending on fitness level, bone density, and medical history, so working with a trainer or physical therapist can help tailor a plan. Still, a solid starting point, according to Rachel Tavel, is a mix of foundational, everyday-movement exercises, including: 

• Air squats
• Step-ups
• Alternating reverse lunges
• Deadlifts
• Overhead shoulder presses
• Seated bicep curls
• Farmer's carries
• Bent-over rows
• Incline pushups
• Jumping jacks
• Jump rope
• Jump squats

Building strength doesn't require anything drastic. A handful of consistent, well-chosen moves like these can go a long way toward staying strong, mobile, and steady well into your 50s and beyond. 

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco