Alex Turner reveals he keeps fit with running and Muay Thai

23 August 2022, 15:10

Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner
Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner has revealed how he keeps fit. Picture: ANP / Alamy Stock Photo

By Jenny Mensah

The Arctic Monkeys frontman told a French magazine how picking up Thai boxing several years ago has helped him stay in shape.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Alex Turner has opened up about his fitness regime.

The Arctic Monkeys frontman has revealed how a random encounter with a security guard in New York led him to practicing an unexpected combat sport.

As reported by NME, speaking in France's L’Equipe, the 505 rocker revealed: “I run a little and I practise Muay Thai. I discovered this discipline several years ago, when I was in a nightclub in New York. I met a security guard from the North of England and he encouraged me to train with him."

He added: “I take great pleasure in it, it’s good for the body and the mind, during the sessions you don’t think of anything else. I will never be Mick Jagger, but we are still working on it.”

Though he practices the sport, Turner admits he doesn't excel at it and won't be in a ring anytime soon.

“I will never reach the level to one day fight in a cage like a UFC fighter, said the 36-year-old frontman. "I have not excelled in any of the sports I’ve taken up.”

READ MORE: Where are Arctic Monkeys playing next? See their full 2022-2023 tour dates

Meanwhile, the band are preparing to headline Reading and Leeds Festival this weekend.

While they've been across Europe playing live dates and will headline Rock en Seine festival in Paris this week, the Sheffield rockers are yet to play any new material from their much-anticipated seventh album.

Though it's clear we can expect some new music from the band soon, it's been hinted that the'll be moving further away from their original sound in favour of more experimentation.

Speaking to Mike Dolbear for the DrumathonLive2022, drummer Matt Helders revealed: "It kinda like picks up where the other one [‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’] left off musically.

He added: "I mean, it’s never gonna be like [2012 AM single] R U Mine? and all that stuff again, you know, the heavy riffs and stuff."

Listen to Alex Turner talk about their last studio effort, Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino here:

Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

READ MORE: Arctic Monkeys return with first gig in three years: Full Istanbul setlist

More on Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner in 2023

Arctic Monkeys open with Cornerstone for the first time ever at Middlesbrough show: Full setlist

Alex Turner at Glastonbury Festival 2013 with Arctic Monkey's AM album artowork inset

Why Arctic Monkeys' AM is their most important album

Arctic Monkeys outside their show at Glasgow's Carling Academy, 27 January 2006

These Arctic Monkeys photos make us nostalgic for the 00s

Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner performs at Radio X HQ

Watch Arctic Monkeys' epic acoustic version of Do I Wanna Know?

Arctic Monkeys in the early days

What did Arctic Monkeys play at their first gig?

TRENDING ON RADIO X

Radio X has launched three new stations: Radio X 90s, Radio X 00s and Radio X Chilled

Get into even more Radio X music with three new stations!

Glastonbury Festival ticket sales tips and tricks

Glastonbury 2025 ticket sale guide: tips, tricks & how to buy tickets

Music has been a form of protest for hundreds of years

The 50 greatest protest songs

Some of the biggest rock albums of 1985:  Misplaced Childhood, Afterburner, Brothers In Arms and Love.

The 25 best Classic Rock albums of 1985

Heading out and about in 2025: Oasis, Snow Patrol, Fontaines D.C. and Catfish & The Bottlemen

The biggest gigs and tours to come in 2025