Celebrity Traitors' Jerry Hall says going to the gym is 'boring' - she does this simple activity to stay fit at 70 instead

The model has revealed the home-based activity she does (with the grandchildren) to stay active

Jerry Hall
(Image credit: Getty Images)
0

She’s an OG supermodel and, until very recently, a contestant in the latest series of The Celebrity Traitors, which finishes tonight on BBC One. When Jerry Hall isn't taking part in castle challenges, she stays active - but not by walking, going to the gym, or doing any of the 'usual' activities.

Jerry, 70, has opened up about what she does instead to keep her body moving. "I do activities like walk the dogs, gardening, canoeing. I don’t go to a gym. I hate that, it’s really boring, not fun," she confessed to The Telegraph.

Jerry also said she "eats everything" and doesn't follow any fad diets. "I like my three meals a day. I drink the occasional glass of red wine, but not excessively, definitely not. It just makes you feel ill. My motto is everything in moderation."

As well as not sitting down for long periods, Jerry stays busy with her two dogs, cat, three horses, and eight chickens. She also spends plenty of time in the garden and with her grandchildren.

"It's a great workout, and I love teaching my grandchildren how to grow food too," she told Harper's Bazaar, also revealing that while she used to do yoga, she doesn't anymore. She also doesn't enjoy traditional exercise.

Gardening, moving around the house, and running around after small family members are all types of NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis). This is the energy your body uses and the calories you burn from activities aside from sleeping, eating, and dedicated exercise.

As Jerry shows, it's easy to include more NEAT in your day simply by staying busy - and it's one of the most effective ways to stay healthy alongside strength training and balance exercises.

A review led by Konkuk University presents studies suggesting people who do more NEAT are less likely to be obese, have better cardiovascular health, less harmful inflammation, and better metabolic health. This is mostly linked to spending less time sitting.

"Anything that gets you out, moving, and laughing is worth doing. Gardening, dancing, walking with friends, and so on. Sitting less is also always a good thing. They are great for your heart, your head and your social life," says Millie Gough, founder of Vagabond Pilates and a keynote speaker for Invictus Games 2027.

How to do more NEAT exercise

  • Take up an active hobby: Take a leaf out of Jerry's book and pick up a hobby that keeps you active. Gardening, painting, dog walking, and even birdwatching all count.
  • Choose the stairs: When you're outside the house, take the stairs and avoid lifts and escalators if you can.
  • Pace about: Walk around while you're on the phone, dance in the kitchen while making dinner, or stand while watching television.
  • Change your work/sitting habits: If you spend a lot of time sitting, whether that's working from home or on the sofa in the evenings, change this setup. A walking pad is a great way to get more steps in at home.
  • Tidy: No one likes doing chores around the house, but this is also a type of NEAT exercise as you're on your feet, walking, climbing stairs, reaching, and so on.

While Jerry may not do dedicated workouts, experts suggest that adding a few weight training sessions to your week alongside NEAT is ideal for healthy ageing. "Think of everyday movement as your baseline, not your training," says Millie.

Eden-Olivia Lord
Freelance Writer

Eden-Olivia Lord is a freelance writer who has written across women’s publications including heat, Closer and woman&home. She was on PPA's Next Gen Board in 2023, has a BA degree in Multimedia Broadcast Journalism and is fond of all things celebrity, beauty and lifestyle. If she’s not writing or vlogging, she’s probably reading, running or doing a Pilates class. 

With contributions from

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.