Richard Osman Finds Fitness Through Pilates at 55
TV presenter Richard Osman, 55, credits Pilates for transforming his approach to fitness, providing strength and flexibility without traditional gym
At 55, author and TV producer Richard Osman has found a fitness routine that works for him. After struggling with traditional gym workouts for years, he now practices Pilates, which he discovered after turning 50.
Osman told The Independent he loves the practice. "It's like exercise, but not, you're laying down," he said. He described finishing a session with aching muscles, feeling it was what he had always been looking for. The routine involves a lot of stretching and lying down but also builds strength. Osman, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall, finds it always harder than he expects.
A Shift from Gym Aversion
Before his fifties, Osman did not focus much on fitness. Aside from occasional long walks, he struggled to commit to a traditional training plan. He once told The Guardian that the single thing to improve his life quality would be "the capacity to genuinely enjoy going to the gym." Pilates changed that. He now says he enjoys it and finds it quite nice, mentioning he also likes doing a bit of boxing.
The discipline helps him protect his bones and joints, even if it leaves him sore. He respects the practice and enjoys its benefits.
Managing Food and Mindset
Alongside his fitness journey, Osman has spoken openly about living with compulsive overeating. The behavior began after his father left the family home when Osman was nine years old.
There hasn't been a day of my life since the age of nine where I haven't thought about problems with food and how it affects me, Osman said on the BBC's Desert Island Discs. He acknowledged the issue will be with him for life. He stated he is either controlling it or not controlling it at any given time, but controls it more often now than not. Because eating is necessary, he finds it quite hard and sometimes slips up, but he tries his best and says he feels no shame about it now.
Passion for Sport Within Limits
Osman also loves sports but is limited in playing them due to a visual condition. He has congenital nystagmus, a disorder causing involuntary eye movements.
He told the Big Issue he loves all sport but does not play much because his eyesight is not great. He loves watching it, however, and values the companionship it has provided him over the years.
His story shows a sustainable approach to movement and stress management developed later in life.
