Ramin Karimloo Answers 'What does it take to have a Broadway Body?'

Ramin Karimloo, currently preparing to light up the stage in PRINCE OF BROADWAY, has become known online for his fitness-oriented Instagram account in which he details many of his workouts as he portrayed Broadway's beefiest Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES. Below, he answers an oft-asked question, "What does it take to have a Broadway Body?"

Long post ...

A full day off here in Roppongi and with time on your own you have time to think. So I was at the gym for a marathon session today after a glorious lie-in, which was needed. Woke to speaking with some loved ones before getting on with my day.

So as I'm in the gym and as it's leg/glute/delt day, I'm midway through my workout when I hit the point of wanting to quit, puke and sleep ... but half of the workout remained. I decide to continue. Supersets and high reps you see.

Then I start to have this internal monologue with myself. Maybe it was the endorphins, I don't know, but I did. I think to myself so this is how I like to spend my day off? Part of it at least. This I think to myself, is fun? I get joy out of this? The answer is yes. Which I'm sure is not surprising by now. But then my mind wandered to an interviewers' question I once had. "What does it take to have a Broadway Body?"

This perplexed me. You know, I started to take bodybuilding seriously because of Valjean leading up to the Canadian run I did. I used to hit the gym before because, well, it was ego led. It just was. But this time around I worked with some great trainers. Starting with Dalton Brown. Mentally they changed me first. It became about becoming athletic, strong, mobile and functional. I too, like Valjean wanted to be in the prime of my life. How he kept himself said a lot to me about his emotional and intellectual state of mind. How he persevered and preserved. Keep in mind this was a personal choice for me on how I wanted to take on the role. I'm not saying it's the only way. It was just my way. Heck, didn't turn out to be such a bad decision. But my training became about the attributes I mentioned earlier. Aesthetically I inevitably changed. I started to get aesthetic goals as well but keep in mind these are personal to me. It doesn't mean these are attractive qualities to all. It's just what I wanted to do and achieve. But the aesthetics were for me, a bonus to the reason I was training. I had a goal because my job asked for it initially. Then I fell in love with the whole aspect of body building and pushing myself. I also saw the benefits to my personal health and what I was doing on stage.

Now back to that question. "What does it take to have a Broadway Body?" It made me think about these fitness posts I do. I like many things. I'm passionate about many things. Arts, fashion, fitness, family, music ...etc. Now I'm starting to gather as of late that some folks are inspired by some of the things I'm doing. Going by the messages I'm receiving.

I wanted to reiterate my answer to that question. It takes any body. Our business is full of diversity. It celebrates diversity. That's what's so beautiful about it. Anyone can express himself or herself. Anyone. I think what's most important is being happy in yourself. Being comfortable in your own skin. I'm still working on that. That comes from within. Everything starts from within. Yes, I think you need to be medically healthy. That can be either side of that spectrum. There is point where it can be too much or too little. That's down to you and your doctor. But you certainly don't need to have a six-pack to be healthy, to be an actor, to be attractive or to be successful. Not at all! It would be crazy to think so and a boring place if we all did.

Be happy. Be comfortable in who you are. Be the best you can be. Push yourself as you see fit. There are so many ways to keep improving. Surround yourself with folks that inspire you and appreciate you. It's ok if some don't like what you do. My favorite sword is kindness. Kill the naysayers or critics with that. Whether is turning the other cheek. Deleting a post you're not happy with. Or just wishing them well. It's so easy in this day and age to criticize. I get it all the time. Whether it's about the clothes I wear, or the gym or what I do on stage. But really, who gives a shit? I certainly don't. I will do what I want to do because my intention is to be the best I can be and keep improving on that. Many folks who are inspiring and whom I can continue to learn from surround me. Friends and colleagues. Sometimes what you say about others says a lot about you. Now I ain't perfect and will still make mistakes. But that's life, right? Be different. Be brave. Don't worry about those who don't get you. That's exciting too. Could be you're doing something pretty interesting.

Anyhow my point in all this was to reiterate a question I was once asked. I didn't want my fitness posts to alienate those who don't find it interesting. Much love. RK