By Alex Baran,
Project Weight Loss Staff Writer
October 22, 2009 Despite aging and physical limitations because of hip and knee replacement surgeries, Clarence continues to play along E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen. He gets stronger and stronger, making people around him become stronger too. What’s his secret? 
Daily exercise and a healthy diet help the legendary saxophonist hit the all the right notes. According to Arthritis Today Magazine, he stays in top mental and physical condition thanks to daily stretching, cardio, core strength training workouts, and mat and machine Pilates combined with a low carbohydrate, high protein diet, and supplements.
“I cannot say enough about how core strengthening exercises have helped the way my entire body functions. Pilates brings strength, flexibility and control to my body, as well as increased circulation and blood flow,” said Clarence.
Clarence Clemons’ at-home workout
To strengthen hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, core, and gluteal muscles (glutes) he did deep knee bend squats with a ball placed between the small of the back and a wall. Clarence used the Nustep machine to raise body using alternating legs while he did leg raising exercises. Oh his routine you could find knee/leg extensions and lunges and leg curls too.
The program continues: high stepping movements alternating legs are great for balance and to strengthen both hip flexors and core. Performing sit-up reps with the MedX machine Clarence created core stability and strengthened the lower back.
Clarence Clemons’ on-the-road Pilates routine
The hundred is great for strengthening abs and trunk muscles - repeat 10 times for 100 counts:
Lie on back, arms at side, and palms facing mat with knees bent into your chest. Extend both legs 90 degrees. Lift chin to chest and shoulders off floor; leave shoulder blades released into mat. Lift arms thigh height. Inhale five counts then exhale five counts when pumping arms up and down.
The Magic Circle strengthens abs and arms – repeat eight times and slightly bent elbows and another session of eight times with Magic Circle over head:
Lie on back, place your hands on outside the circle with straight arms. Initiating from abs, squeeze eight times the Magic Circle.
The Roll Up
Lie on back with arms overhead and legs extended with back released into mat. Raise arms to ceiling. Bring chin to chest. Press navel into spine. Slowly roll forward into sitting position and look at knees with arms extended to toes. Roll back down to mat and continue pressing navel into spine.
In his recently released book Clarence Clemons talked about his health problems and other “stuff that makes it more entertaining and interesting,” as E Street Band’ saxophonist said. It is worth taking a look at “Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales.”
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Project Weight Loss. All rights reserved.
