Zoe Saldaña is shifting her fitness focus as she approaches 50. After two decades of prioritizing Pilates, the actress has transitioned to heavy weight training to improve her strength and mobility. This change is primarily driven by her role as Joe in the series Lioness, which demands peak physical conditioning. Saldaña notes that while she previously favored cardio, she now views resistance training as a necessary component of maintaining health in her 40s.
Her current routine centers on compound movements that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Under the guidance of her trainer, Elena Ferretti, Saldaña incorporates single-leg deadlifts to improve balance and core stability, elevated squats to increase range of motion in the glutes, and weighted hip thrusts to build lower-body power. These exercises replace the lower-impact routines she maintained earlier in her career.
Beyond the physical results, Saldaña emphasizes the confidence boost that comes from mastering difficult movements. She frames her current approach as a form of self-care intended to keep her strong for her family and personal well-being. By prioritizing functional strength, she aims to prepare her body for the specific demands of her current decade.
The philosophy behind her training emphasizes consistency over perfection. Her trainer, Elena Ferretti, stresses that workouts often occur amidst the chaos of a busy schedule. This perspective shifts the goal of exercise from achieving a flawless routine to ensuring that even short, intentional sessions occur during the work week. The transition illustrates a broader trend of women in their 40s adopting heavier lifting to support bone density and muscle mass as they age.