Rob Lowe on workouts, wind, and why Eye of the Tiger still hits hard

At 61, Rob Lowe isn’t slowing down — physically or professionally. In a new interview, the actor and host of The Floor shares his refreshingly no-frills approach to fitness, why he skips the playlist on most runs, and the one cheesy track that still gets him hyped when it counts.

No music, no problem

For many, a good workout depends on the perfect playlist. But not Rob Lowe. The veteran actor and wellness enthusiast takes a different approach to training: silence. “I can raw dog it,” Lowe says, referring to working out without music — a choice that might sound intense to most gym-goers. “I don’t have my own music on. If there’s music in the gym, sure, I’ll listen. But if I’m out on a run, I don’t want music in. I want to hear the wind, I want to hear my feet.” It’s not just a preference for stillness — it’s also practical. “I don’t want anybody sneaking up on me from behind,” he adds with a laugh.

While his cardio routines on machines like the elliptical or Peloton might occasionally get a soundtrack, Lowe reserves silence for moments of focused solitude. “When you’re on the hamster wheel, grinding, that’s when music can help. But running outdoors? That’s different.”

When Eye of the Tiger kicks in

Even Rob Lowe has his musical kryptonite — and it’s gloriously retro. “It’s the cheesiest thing in the world, but Eye of the Tiger,” he says, naming Survivor’s 1982 hit as his all-time workout anthem.

The iconic track, written for Rocky III, still packs a punch for Lowe decades later. “You can’t go wrong,” he says. “If I want to knock off a set of 20 or go for a max bench press, I’ve got to have that on. You’re not raw dogging and doing your max bench press [without that song]. That’s not happening.” Despite his preference for quiet workouts, Lowe makes it clear that the right moment — especially the ones that demand power and focus — deserves a worthy soundtrack. Eye of the Tiger may be old-school, but it still delivers a motivational jolt every time.

Staying fit, staying happy

Now in his early 60s, Lowe seems to be thriving. “In every area of my life, I’ve never been happier,” he says. “I’ve never had more opportunities. I’ve never been more engaged. I’ve never, as the kids would say today, felt more seen. And I’ve never felt better.”

His relationship with fitness has matured along with him. “I’m blessed that I love all of the activities that one has to do to stay in shape,” Lowe explains. “It’s not work for me.” However, there are new challenges with age — most notably, the importance of recovery.

“What has changed is I have to force myself to take recovery days,” he admits. “Because as you get older, recovery is crucial, and that kills me.” Injuries, too, are no longer minor setbacks. “You don’t come back so quickly from injury [at my age]. Those are things you don’t think about when you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s.”

The discipline behind the energy

Beyond the gym and the trails, Lowe’s energy seems rooted in discipline and consistency. Whether it’s sticking to a clean lifestyle, maintaining his long-running partnership with Atkins, or embracing a quieter, more intentional workout method, the actor’s approach is less about hype and more about habit.

“I’ve set my life up in a way that supports how I want to feel,” he says. And that includes knowing when to push and when to pause. For someone who started his career in the chaos of ‘80s Hollywood, Lowe’s current rhythm — focused, grateful, and unbothered by noise — might just be his most impressive evolution yet.