Taraji P Henson's Workout Routine Includes Cardio, Boxing, And Battle Ropes

Taraji shared that little tidbit in a new interview with WSJ Magazine. "I usually do that on the elliptical," she said. "If I’m feeling really adventurous, I’ll do a 20-minute stint on my Peloton bike. If I’m feeling really lazy, I’ll just walk it out on the treadmill."

Taraji credits her assistant for getting her into it amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "At first my trainer was coming to the house, but the [rate of infection] numbers got so crazy and I just didn’t feel comfortable with that," she told WSJ Magazine. "So I needed other equipment that would train me like my trainer. I fell in love with this boxing machine, Nexersys." Taraji said her assistant got it for her for Christmas, and now she uses it regularly.

"After I do my 20-minute warm-up, I get to boxing," she explained. "And I love it, because it’s got a trainer on there. Not personal, but you can go on-demand and you can do cool work, and it’s just you and the [video] trainer."

And, it’s because of this that she doesn’t eat until 11. At that point, she’ll have a protein shake, she told WSJ Magazine. As for what goes into that shake: "I take vitamin C, I take iron. I put elderberry powder, spirulina and collagen in my shake," Taraji said.

ICYMI, battle ropes are great for improving both upper body and core strength, plus they really rev your heart rate making them a cardio exercise, too. Here, Taraji can be seen going from standard alternating waves, to double waves and then to alternating waves with jumping jacks. Oof!

During this session, Taraji does a series of weighted and non-weighted butt and leg exercises. From leg raises, to squat walks and kettlebell deadlifts, the actress is getting in her lower-body work. “She definitely loves squats. It’s one of her favorites. She’s pretty much known for her derriere and we make sure that we maximize our workouts for that,” T told InStyle.

Don't underestimate the power of the cable machine. Watch Taraji channel some serious lower-body and core strength as she does side leg raises using the machine and then drops to the floor to do a series of intense bodyweight exercises like reverse crunches.

"My body's going to be amaze-balls," Taraji sings in this video clip to get her through 76 minutes of cardio work (sheesh!). The Hidden Figures star clearly isn't afraid to work hard and will do anything to push through. "She’s a warrior in the gym. I’ve never had anything that she’s backed down from—she’s a dream client,” T told InStyle.

The actress took to Instagram in July to get vulnerable with her followers and let them know that she'd been slipping on her fitness goals during quarantine, but was determined to get back on track. She noted that both she her trainer would be documenting their progress and sessions, and that this would be a way to hold herself accountable. "I'm hoping that we can motivate each other, because all we got is time and if anything I can use this time to be my best self," she said.