Kavita Jha explores how celebrities and athletes are embracing boxing, martial arts and MMA to build strength, resilience and all-round fitness.
Akshay Kumar
Long before combat sports became fashionable, Akshay Kumar was training in martial arts. He earned a black belt in karate and later travelled to Bangkok, where he studied Muay Thai. That early training laid the foundation for the disciplined lifestyle he is known for today. Even now, martial arts remain central to his fitness philosophy, complemented by swimming, yoga and functional training. Rather than chasing trends, he has consistently championed movement, agility and endurance as the keys to long-term fitness.
Deepika Padukone
Over the years, Deepika Padukone has incorporated a variety of training methods into her routine, including Jujutsu-inspired martial arts sessions. Combined with strength training, yoga and Pilates, these workouts help improve coordination, balance and core stability. Her commitment to fitness reflects an athlete’s mindset, focused on consistency, discipline and overall well-being.
Tiger Shroff
Tiger Shroff has built his fitness identity around combat sports and athletic performance. A black belt in Taekwondo, he has also trained in Kalaripayattu, Wushu, Krav Maga and MMA. His workouts combine martial arts drills with gymnastics, parkour, calisthenics and strength training, creating a regimen that prioritises speed, flexibility and explosive power. The result is a physique that is as functional as it is impressive, making him one of the industry’s most athletic performers.
Disha Patani
Disha Patani is one of Bollywood’s most dedicated advocates of combat-sport-inspired fitness. A regular practitioner of boxing and MMA-style training, she frequently shares glimpses of intense pad work, striking drills and conditioning exercises on social media. Her workouts often blend martial arts techniques with strength training and gymnastics, helping her build agility, endurance and functional strength. The high-energy nature of combat training also aligns perfectly with her active lifestyle and demanding action sequences on screen.
Vidyut Jammwal
A practitioner of Kalaripayattu since the age of three, Vidyut Jammwal has become one of the strongest ambassadors of India’s ancient martial arts traditions. His approach to fitness goes far beyond conventional gym workouts, focusing instead on bodyweight strength, acrobatics, mobility, balance and natural movement. Known for performing many of his own stunts, Jammwal often showcases the agility and control that come from decades of martial arts training.
Kiara Advani
Kickboxing has become an important part of Kiara Advani’s fitness regimen, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional gym sessions. The discipline helps improve cardiovascular endurance, coordination, reflexes and total-body strength while keeping workouts varied and engaging. Often combined with functional training and mobility work, her kickboxing sessions reflect a broader trend among celebrities who are turning to combat sports for a workout that is both physically challenging and mentally stimulating.
Fighting Fit
Combat sports such as boxing, martial arts and MMA deliver a full-body workout that combines cardio, strength, agility, balance and coordination. Studies show they can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance and functional strength, while also enhancing reaction time, focus and hand-eye coordination. The intense, skill-based nature of these disciplines has also been linked to reduced stress and improved mental well-being, making them an effective way to build both physical fitness and resilience.
