Pope Leo XIV's fitness trainer reveals his workout routine
After the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and amid much curiosity about who would lead the Catholic Church next, the papal conclave elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.
It's difficult to believe, before the white smoke rose over the Vatican, Robert Prevost was just another regular gym-goer blending in with the morning crowd.
Before he became Pope Leo XIV, Chicago-born Robert Prevost was just 'Robert' to the staff of Omega Gym in Rome's upscale Prati district. He was a quiet, and courteous gym member who showed up in modest sportswear, worked hard, smiled often - always positive about things, and never once hinted at his powerful role inside the Vatican.
When Prevost's name was announced as the new pope, Valerio Masella, his 26-year-old personal trainer who had spent two years working with him, was beyond shocked.
'When he appeared at the window in St. Peter's Square, I recognized him immediately. I couldn't believe it! I trained the new Pontiff. To me, he was just a client like any other," Valerio told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.
While Prevost who's originally from Peru and arrived in Rome in 2023 to lead the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops, inside the Omega Gym, no one knew him as a cardinal.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World
Articles Vally
Undo
'I thought he was a teacher or an academic,' Valerio told the outlet. 'He was intelligent, reserved, and never talked about his job. But Pope? I never imagined.'
Valerio also talked about the workout routine of Prevost.
Maintained a consistent schedule
The future Pope was quite dedicated when it came to working out and regularly trained two to three times a week. He always arrived in the morning with a warm demeanor and was dedicated to her fitness routine.
'He maintained a consistent training schedule,' Valerio was quoted as saying by Associated Press. 'Always friendly, always smiling, but very reserved.'
Here are details about his workouts:
1. Aerobic warm-up
Valerio revealed Pope's training session always began with cardio. He would either prefer a brisk walk on the treadmill or an intense ride on a stationary bike.
The trainer further revealed that his favorite treadmill faced a mural featuring iconic Roman landmarks including St.
Peter's Basilica.
The warm-up helped improve his endurance, boost circulation, and prepare the body for strength work.
Benefits of brisk walking: It not only helps maintain weight, it also improves cardiovascular health, energy levels, and reduces stress.
Benefits of stationary bike: It is excellent for building cardiovascular endurance while being gentle on the joints. It also strengthens the lower body, particularly the quads, hamstrings, and calves, through consistent resistance training.
'We'd start slow and then go pretty strong,' Valerio noted. 'Especially on the bike—he liked resistance. It was like a steep climb.'
2. Muscle strengthening and postural training
After the cardio, Pope Leo XIV focused on strength and stability using resistance bands, dumbbells, and bodyweight exercises. His training targeted the core, back, and shoulders - the key muscle groups essential for posture and mobility.
'For his age, he stands out for his resistance and healthy body composition,' said Valerio.
'He was in excellent physical shape.'
3. Tennis
Apart from regular gym sessions, Pope Leo XIV also loved playing tennis. From time to time, he would rally on a court with a stunning view of the dome of St. Peter's.
Tennis has long been a favorite pastime for Pope Leo XIV, who views the sport as both physical exercise and a way to cultivate patience and focus. He has described himself as an amateur tennis player, previously. Recently, in his meeting with the Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, a few days after he was elected, he confessed that he wouldn't want to face a match with the world number one.
Pope Leo XIV isn't the first sporty pope. John Paul II famously hiked and skied.
Now as Pope, his commitment to health and discipline is sure to inspire many to stay fit, focused, and resilient, both in body and spirit.
Pope Leo XIV Prays For Gaza In First General Audience, Thousands Gather At Vatican
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rashmika Mandanna turns heads in gorgeous beige suit, you have got to see this look!
Rashmika Mandanna is making waves with her stunning style during the Kuberaa promotions in Chennai. She looked elegant in a beige ethnic suit with gold detailing, perfectly blending tradition and modernity. Her natural makeup, gajra-adorned bun, and nude heels completed the look, showcasing her simple yet captivating charm. Rashmika Mandanna is back at it, turning heads like always with her gorgeous style! Even though she's neck-deep in promotions for her upcoming movie Kuberaa, the actor clearly knows how to keep it stylish. She recently dropped some stunning photos on Instagram, looking elegant in a beige ethnic suit. And of course, she had the sweetest caption: 'We began our Kuberaa promotions in Chennai, and as most of you know, Chennai holds a very dear place in my heart because of my childhood, so I was very happy. That being said. I laughed so, so much that day. Omg.. what an epic evening it was!' For the promotions, Rashmika went the traditional route and absolutely nailed it. She wore a beautiful beige suit with a heavily embroidered dupatta featuring gold sequins and detailing. The border had delicate patterns and tassels, adding a lovely finishing touch. The look was all about timeless charm with a modern twist. Her kurta and churidar combo stayed classic, while the gold accents gave it that extra bit of glam without going overboard. Makeup-wise, Rashmika kept it super fresh and natural, think dewy base, nude lips, peachy eyeshadow, and soft kohl. She added a tiny bindi that tied everything together in the most graceful way. Her hair was neatly pulled back into a middle-parted bun wrapped with a gajra - traditional, elegant, and very Rashmika! To complete the look, she opted for nude-toned heels, some eye-catching earrings, and a few statement rings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo Kuberaa, her upcoming film, stars her alongside Dhanush and Akkineni Nagarjuna. She also shared how thrilled she is to be working with director Sekhar Kammula, writing, After Rashmika Mandanna, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's deepfake video goes viral, netizens react: 'AI magic…very dangerous' 'It feels like a perfectly seasoned dish, made just for you, with all the right ingredients of magic.' Now that's a promo look done right - simple, stunning, and full of heart! One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business Standard
RIZVOL arrives in India: The quiet power of global luxury
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 10: In a fashion landscape often dominated by immediacy and spectacle, RIZVOL arrives as a welcome contradiction, a brand that doesn't rush, doesn't shout, and most importantly, doesn't follow. Launched in New York by entrepreneur and cultural observer Abhishek Shah, Rizvol is now making its India debut, bringing with it a vision of luxury that is globally minded, timelessly designed, and intimately made. At its core, Rizvol isn't just a fashion label, it's a philosophy in motion. One that values restraint over excess, process over pace, and detail over drama. The clothes are serene in their construction, but rich in narrative: buttons crafted from Japanese Mother of Pearl, fabrics from renowned European mills, and silhouettes refined over more than 200 prototypes before they ever meet a wardrobe. "We believe there's a growing appetite in India for something quieter, more intentional," says Shah. "We want to be the brand people turn to when they no longer need to announce themselves, because Rizvol is about presence, not performance." That perspective was born from Shah's own cross-continental path. Raised in India, educated in California and New York, and deeply influenced by Milan's quiet elegance, Shah's relationship with style began not in showrooms, but at home watching his father treat dressing as an act of quiet dignity. The label's name itself -- Rizvol -- is inspired by the Italian word risvolto, the cuff of a garment. A small detail, yes, but one that completes the story. Much like the brand's approach to design: precise, purposeful, and poetic. Rizvol's entrance into India comes at a time when the market is evolving, from appetite-driven consumption to experience-led ownership. The brand's recently launched Indian website, reflects this shift. It's more than a shopping portal; it's a tactile, narrative-driven digital space where fabrics are described in warp and weft, and packaging is treated as thoughtfully as the garment it carries. "If something takes 200 samples to get right, we'll take the time," says Shah. "We're not here to flood closets -- we're here to create garments that stay with people." At a time when the fashion cycle moves faster than ever, Rizvol makes a bold case for clarity, craftsmanship, and clothing that endures, not just in fabric, but in feeling.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Ballet flats are back in vogue: Experts share cool tips to style them
Image for representative purposes only The classic ballet flats with round toes and delicate bows — dainty, flexible, and easy to slip on — are making a major comeback. This time, however, they come with an elevated style quotient. Nishtha Parwani, a celebrity stylist, tells us, 'Ballet flats have reigned through fashion history since the 1950s, gracing the soles of icons like Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel, and Kate Moss.' This footwear is now back in vogue. Pooja Karanam, a celebrity fashion stylist, tells us why: 'Their revival is because of fashion's ongoing obsession with Y2K, early-aughts nostalgia (the period from 2000 to 2009), and the need for chic shoes that don't kill your feet.' A BRIEF HISTORY Ballet flats originated from the soft, flexible slippers worn by ballet dancers. In the 1940s, French designer Rose Repetto adapted the traditional ballet shoes into streetwear, creating flats for her son, dancer Roland Petit. This marked the beginning of the ballet flats as a fashion item. Actresses like Brigitte Bardot helped popularise the style when she wore Repetto's 'Cendrillon' flats in And God Created Woman (1956). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Audrey Hepburn, a trained dancer herself, made ballet flats part of her iconic look in films like Funny Face. Grace Kelly also embraced the style, often pairing them with tailored outfits, reinforcing their refined yet effortless appeal. SPOTTED ON RUNWAYS Ballet flats made it big on the runways. Vikram Seth, fashion stylist and creative director, says, 'Square toes, strappy silhouettes, and woven textures dominated the recent runways of 2025 shows through brands like Chanel, Miu Miu, and Simone Rocha.' Sandy Liang and Prada were also among the brands that featured ballets. Their strong presence on the runways drove celebrities too, to wear it. Gigi Hadid , Aimee Lou Wood , Alexa Chung, Sonam Kapoor , Ananya Panday, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Anushka Sharma are among the celebrities who were spotted wearing the shoes. Ballet flats are the perfect summer staple. They're lightweight, breathable and comfortable. Whether in breezy mesh, soft leather, or pastel satin, ballets add the right amount of polish without weighing you down. They pair beautifully with summer staples like linen dresses, shorts, or oversized shirtings Nishtha Parwani, celebrity stylist CLASSIC BALLETS WITH NEW STYLES Square-toe: Chic, minimalist, and perfect for a modern vibe Strappy: Think lace-up styles or Mary Janes Woven: Breezy, natural textures that scream vacation Mesh or transparent: It is like going barefoot, but make it fashionable Satin or embellished: Dressed-up versions for night outs or summer weddings HOW TO STYLE THEM Pair classic ballet flats with floral dresses, cropped denims, and breezy co-ord sets Opt for leather or designer ballet flats with monochrome separates, oversized shirts, and luxe athleisure Pair strappy or embellished ballet flats with denim skirts, mini dresses, and Indian fusion wear Pick square-toe ballet flats to wear below baggy jeans or cargo pants and crop tops for a Gen Z-approved spin Layer your ballet flats with frilly socks for that 'cool girl in Tokyo' energy Pair them with contrasting oversized pieces like blazers or cargos (As suggested by Vikram Seth, fashion stylist and creative director & Pooja Karanam, celebrity stylist) One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
