Kim Kardashian may be running a billion-dollar empire, but the 44-year-old still dedicates an hour and a half every single morning to her workouts. Her secret consists of a mix of weights, pilates, and stretching, plus just enough cardio to keep her energy high.
“I’m a big weightlifter, so I do lots of weights,” she told Vogue in a new interview. “I’ve had some back issues, so I’ve had to readjust just some of my workouts, but I have to do lower body in order to stay toned. I do a few days of upper body.”
Kardashian said she typically focuses on one muscle group per session. Her daily training combines strength work with mobility. “I do an hour and a half a day, with weights and stretching, and a little bit of cardio,” she explained. “I love pilates … I find when I don’t incorporate pilates at least once a week, I can feel it in my back.”
Music also plays a big role in keeping her motivated. “Sometimes, I just put on Justin Bieber Radio. It’s full of hits!” she admitted, adding that her trainer often has to put up with her habit of checking her phone mid-session. “I am the kind of annoying workout person where I check my phone throughout the workout, though, and respond to people. I’m sure that really frustrates my trainer.”
However, she doesn't like dance cardio or hot yoga. “I did it once and I fell asleep,” she laughed. “Just with the mood, and you lay down and close your eyes. I can fall asleep anywhere, so put me in the position to fall asleep, and I will.”
For Kardashian, exercise is more than just staying in shape. It’s part of her mental health routine. “I love to work out, it’s my therapy,” she said. That love of fitness is also what inspired her to take Skims into the athletic space.
Later this week, she’s set to launch NikeSkims, a full-scale activewear brand with Nike that she describes as a natural evolution of her lifestyle. The collection drops September 26 and features over 50 athletes in its debut campaign, including Serena Williams, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, and Chloe Kim.
“You can wear some of the pieces out at night and look really great, or there’s super casual pieces strictly for working out,” Kardashian explained. “I wanted people to feel like there was something for everyone.”