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Barbara Eden celebrated her 93rd birthday this year but she’s definitely not slowing down. In fact, that’s the I Dream of Jeannie star’s secret to a long, healthy life: staying physically active.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Eden shared that she uses two key tools to stay in shape: a stationary bike and a pair of five-pound weights. “I use very lightweight weights,” the actor explains, “but they’re good for your bones.” She’s definitely right about that. Per Harvard Health, “strength training can play a role in slowing bone loss, and can even build bone.” Even better: strength training exercises tend to be great for the bones in your hips, spine, and wrists, which are common sites of fracture due to osteoporosis.
Eden says that, like many of us, her workout routine changed during and after the pandemic. “I used to work out all the time,” she explained. “I used to do spinning classes and then do weights with a trainer… When COVID hit, that ended my heavy workouts.” Now she relies on home workouts to stay fit and strong — a switch many others made during the pandemic as well.
While the convenience of working out at home just can’t be beat, Eden says she misses the “camaraderie” and motivation she got from going to the gym. “I’m not much of a self-starter,” she admits. “I have to remind myself to go to the bicycle.” (Relatable, tbh.)
Barbara Eden in I Dream of Jeannie
Eden also says that while she tried “aerobics,” she quickly found that “it wasn’t for me.” She prefers a “brisk” walk for cardio. “That’s good for you,” she explains. “It’s good for your knees and ankles. I find it better than running.”
On the nutrition side, Eden opts for moderation over trying to follow a specific diet — something she says she inherited from her parents. “My mother’s mantra was ‘moderation of all things.’ That’s how [my parents] lived, and that’s how I’ve lived.” That’s a sustainable attitude to have for Eden, who says she loves sweets and describes herself as a “sugar eater” — “just give me anything sweet.”
We love Eden’s straightforward, accessible approach to health and fitness, especially because it doesn’t require an expensive fitness class membership or a tricked-out home gym. While stationary bikes are on the pricier side (there are lower-cost options, though!), five-pound weights can be as low as $13 online and are versatile enough to be used for multiple kinds of exercises. You can curl them to work your biceps, do tricep extensions to target the backs of your arms, or even set them on top of your pelvis to add some resistance to simple glute bridges. (Check out more weightlifting tips from experts here!)
And weightlifting is great for not just your bone health — it can also improve your strength, posture, and metabolism. It might be time to invest in a set of dumbbells, and Eden’s favorite five-pounders area great place to start.
Before you go, shop our favorite workout tools to build your own home gym: