‘Beauty In Black’ Star Ricco Ross Shares Exactly How He Stays In Incredible Shape At 67 (Exclusive)

A successful actor since the early 1980s, Ricco Ross' career continues to thrive with his starring and extremely popular role in Netflix's Beauty in Black, the show created and run by Tyler Perry. He has memorably appeared in celebrated movies like Aliens, Wishmaster, and many others. Throughout decades in the spotlight, the celebrated actor has maintained an impressive physique. In this Men's Journal exclusive, Ross shared the details of his health and fitness routine that keep him in fantastic shape at 67.

Ricco Ross' Exercise Routines Explained

I am just under 6’3” and have weighed about 185 lbs since college, except when I have gained or lost 10 to 15 pounds for roles, including gaining muscle for Aliens and losing weight for Beauty in Black. I usually work out three times a week for about two to three hours. The first hour of my workout, I play basketball, the second hour I lift weights, then another hour stretching and showering. I try not to lift weights that are too heavy as I’m not trying to build muscle, but rather tone and maintain. 

I have 2 dogs that make sure I walk them for 30 minutes to an hour daily. That is a sure way of getting my ass off the sofa. People shouldn’t sleep on the benefits of just walking. I live in Mexico City in my downtime. It’s a very bike-friendly city. So riding from place to place or walking becomes a daily way of life.

I usually sleep for eight to 10 hours nightly and always start the day off with a large glass of water. I make it a habit to incorporate exercises in everyday actions. I travel through airports a lot, so I’ll take the stairs instead of escalators or elevators. I’ll do 50 squats as the toilet is refilling after a flush. I’ll do pull-ups and power walk as I walk my dogs around the neighborhood park.

Ricco Ross' Simple Diet Detailed

I’ve been a vegetarian about 85% of the time for the last 11 years. I believe that only eating meat occasionally gives my body time to flush out the toxins that meat has. I think a lot of Americans believe meat should be a large staple of their diet, but I feel it should be the smallest, if at all. However, keep in mind that different blood types may require different foods. 

I began not eating breakfast because I didn’t like playing basketball in the morning on a full stomach. Now, it’s a way of life for me. Some call it intermittent fasting, but it just became my habit. It is human nature to develop habits, so try to make them good ones.

I have an enlarged prostate, which is my normal. So, I drink a lot of liquids during the day and usually cut them off after dark. That works for me. I say that because, if they live long enough, most men will develop enlarged prostates and they often don’t know how to deal with it.

Why Ricco Ross Remains Dedicated to His Health and Advocates for Cancer Prevention

We as men talk to each other about sports, business, women, but rarely about our health.  I am a proud Global Ambassador of Zero Prostate Cancer, so I always try to spread the word about getting regular check-ups annually if you are over 40, especially for African Americans. Prostate cancer often develops in Black men earlier and more aggressively. If it is caught early (stage 1), it is 90% curable, but if it is detected late (stage 4) the numbers can easily flip. 

Being an actor, I have an added incentive to stay in shape. Not just for aesthetics, or ego, but for good health. As we all know, health is wealth. Getting in shape can be extremely difficult. So I try to stay in shape, because if you stay in shape, you never have to get in shape.