Ringo Starr, 86, Reveals the Surprisingly Simple Longevity Routine That Keeps Him Touring

At 86, Ringo Starr is still doing something most people decades younger would find demanding: touring. One day after playing Washington, D.C., the former Beatle is headed to Boston, with more fall dates scheduled through Oct. 7, according to Starr's official tour calendar.

The surprising part is how ordinary his longevity routine sounds. In a new Washington Post interview, Starr described a life built around staying active rather than chasing elaborate anti-aging protocols. "I keep going because I keep going," he said. "I do keep moving and walking whenever I can."

There's evidence behind the simplicity. A 2026 British Journal of Sports Medicine study that followed more than 147,000 adults for up to 30 years found that moderate resistance training was associated with a lower risk of premature death, with some of the strongest associations among people who combined resistance training with aerobic activity.

Related: Surprising Walking Habit Linked to Longevity, Study Says

Starr's Routine Is Remarkably Low-Tech

According to The Washington Post, Starr credits his vegetarian diet and strict fitness regimen, including walking and lifting weights, for helping him stay active. "I'm never going to be Arnold Schwarzenegger," Starr joked, while explaining that he tries to "lift a weight or two" so he can continue moving around the stage.

His longtime guitarist Steve Lukather revealed another piece of the routine: Starr reportedly runs on a treadmill for 45 minutes every day. The work shows onstage. "After two hours onstage, he's doing jumping jacks at the end," Lukather told The Washington Post.

And Starr still sounds energized by the work. Announcing the current tour, he said, "The audiences were so loving, and I just love playing with this band. I'm really looking forward to these Fall shows," according to his official website.

Related: Popular Longevity Marker Looked Healthy, but Scientists Found One Problem Anyway

The Bigger Longevity Lesson Isn't a Biohack

Starr's routine isn't proof that walking, vegetarian eating or treadmill sessions caused his longevity. Genetics, medical care, lifestyle and other factors influence how people age.

But his habits line up with a much less glamorous idea: keep moving and keep your muscles working. Current physical-activity guidelines recommend aerobic activity plus muscle-strengthening exercise, and recent research has associated resistance training with lower premature-mortality risk.

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Starr may also have something harder to quantify: a reason to keep showing up. "It's what I dreamed of doing at 13, and I'm still doing it," he told The Washington Post. "And I still love doing it."

No exotic stack. No punishing regimen. Just movement, weights, consistent habits—and work he still wants to do.

Related: Getting Stronger After 50? Your Workout May Still Be Missing One Crucial Thing

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Sep 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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