Elon Musk Fitness Routine: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is known for his demanding work schedule, but his approach to fitness is quite different from that of people who spend hours in the gym. The 55-year-old billionaire has previously said that he does not particularly enjoy exercising, although he sometimes lifts weights and uses a treadmill while watching television.
Musk has also spoken about his eating habits and sleep schedule in interviews. However, his routine has changed over the years, and some of the popular claims about his diet are based on older comments.
In a December 2025 podcast interview, Musk revealed that he usually eats steak, eggs and coffee for breakfast, often skips lunch or eats something small, and prefers a variety of cuisines for dinner. He also identified cheeseburgers as his favourite food.
Here is what his public comments reveal about his exercise habits, diet and sleep routine, along with what health experts recommend for maintaining good health.
1. Elon Musk Does Not Particularly Enjoy Going to the Gym
Musk has openly admitted that he is not particularly fond of exercising.
During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience in 2020, he said that he would prefer not to exercise at all. However, when he does work out, he generally prefers lifting weights and running on a treadmill while watching a television show.
He also mentioned having a personal trainer, although he had not met the trainer for some time when he gave that interview.
This suggests that Musk has experimented with different forms of exercise rather than following a consistently documented gym routine.
Has Elon Musk Trained in Martial Arts?
Yes. During the same podcast conversation, Musk revealed that he had trained in several martial arts during his younger years.
These included:
- Taekwondo
- Karate
- Judo
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he practised briefly
However, his comments do not establish that he currently practises these martial arts regularly.
2. What Does Elon Musk Eat in a Day?
Musk’s eating habits have attracted attention because he has made several comments about food over the years.
His December 2025 appearance on The Katie Miller Podcast provides a more recent account of his typical meals.
Breakfast: Steak, Eggs and Coffee
Musk said that he generally starts his day with steak, eggs and coffee.
This is different from some older reports that highlighted his fondness for doughnuts and other sweet foods. His food preferences and eating habits have changed over time, so older statements should not automatically be treated as his current daily routine.
Lunch: Often Skipped or Kept Small
According to his December 2025 interview, Musk usually does not have lunch. When he does eat something, he generally keeps it small.
However, skipping lunch is a personal habit, not a recommended weight-management strategy for everyone.
Dinner: Different Cuisines and Cheeseburgers
Musk said that his dinner varies depending on whether he is eating socially. He enjoys a wide range of cuisines and described cheeseburgers as his favourite food.
He has also expressed appreciation for Indian food. In May 2023, he responded positively to a social media post featuring butter chicken and naan.
Does Elon Musk Eat Doughnuts Every Morning?
Musk has previously made comments about eating doughnuts, which attracted considerable media attention.
However, his more recent public comments offer a different picture. In a December 2025 interview, he described steak, eggs and coffee as his usual breakfast. In a February 2026 conversation, he also clarified that he was not eating large quantities of doughnuts.
Therefore, it would be misleading to describe doughnuts as a confirmed part of his current everyday diet.
3. How Much Does Elon Musk Sleep?
Musk has previously said that he sleeps for approximately six hours a night.
In March 2025, he told Senator Ted Cruz during an interview on the Verdict podcast that he averaged around six hours of sleep while working through most of his waking hours.
He discussed sleep again during his December 2025 appearance on The Katie Miller Podcast. He said that he had experimented with sleeping for less than six hours but noticed that his cognitive performance declined.
These comments provide an insight into his personal experience, but they do not establish that six hours is sufficient for everyone.
Is Six Hours of Sleep Enough for Adults?
Not necessarily.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults aged 18–60 get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Adequate sleep supports memory, attention, emotional well-being and overall health. Regularly sleeping less than the recommended amount may affect concentration and increase the risk of certain health problems.
Therefore, people should not reduce their sleep simply because a busy entrepreneur says he sleeps for approximately six hours.
4. Three Fitness Lessons People Can Take From Elon Musk’s Routine
Although Musk’s personal habits should not be treated as a fitness prescription, some general lessons can help people think about their own health.
Stay Physically Active Throughout the Day
You do not necessarily need to spend hours in a gym to become more physically active.
Walking, cycling, climbing stairs and other everyday activities can contribute to your overall physical activity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults complete 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, or an equivalent amount of vigorous activity.
Combine Cardio With Strength Training
Walking and other aerobic activities are useful, but strength training also matters.
The WHO recommends muscle-strengthening activities involving major muscle groups on at least two days each week.
People can choose activities according to their fitness levels, health conditions and personal preferences.
Pay Attention to Food and Sleep
Musk’s food preferences show that he does not follow a publicly documented strict meal plan. However, his personal eating habits do not establish what constitutes a healthy diet.
A balanced eating pattern should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains and suitable protein sources. People should also avoid treating frequent consumption of sugary foods or skipping meals as a shortcut to fitness.
Similarly, getting enough quality sleep is an important part of maintaining good health.
Should You Follow Elon Musk’s Fitness Routine?
Not necessarily.
Elon Musk’s exercise, diet and sleep habits reflect his personal preferences and demanding professional schedule. They are not the result of a publicly documented, medically supervised fitness programme.
His preference for occasional weightlifting and treadmill exercise may be interesting, but his reported six-hour sleep schedule and irregular lunch habits should not be copied as health recommendations.
For most adults, regular physical activity, balanced nutrition and adequate sleep remain important parts of a healthy lifestyle. A suitable fitness routine should depend on an individual’s age, health, fitness level and daily requirements.
FAQs
1. How old is Elon Musk in 2026?
Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971. He is 55 years old as of November 4, 2026.
2. Does Elon Musk go to the gym regularly?
Musk has said that he does not particularly enjoy exercising. In a 2020 interview, he mentioned lifting weights and running on a treadmill, but he has not publicly established a consistent current gym schedule.
3. What is Elon Musk’s favourite food?
During his December 2025 podcast interview, Musk identified cheeseburgers as his favourite food.
4. What does Elon Musk eat for breakfast?
In December 2025, Musk said that he generally starts his day with steak, eggs and coffee.
5. Does Elon Musk eat doughnuts every day?
Older comments suggested that he enjoyed eating doughnuts. However, his more recent comments do not establish doughnuts as a regular part of his current breakfast routine.
6. How many hours does Elon Musk sleep?
Musk has publicly said that he averages approximately six hours of sleep. He has also explained that sleeping for less than six hours affected his cognitive performance.
7. Which martial arts has Elon Musk learned?
Musk has mentioned training in Taekwondo, Karate and Judo during his younger years. He also briefly practised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
8. How much exercise do adults need every week?
The WHO recommends 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Adults should also include muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days per week.