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.
“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.
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