Chip and Joanna Gaines, the renowned home renovation couple, have taken a significant step in their fitness journey by beginning to work out together for the first time in their 25-year marriage. During an appearance on the ‘Stronger’ podcast hosted by Don Saladino, the couple opened up about their previous lack of collaboration in exercise routines, despite their long-standing relationship.
Joanna expressed that she felt compelled to enhance her wellness routine after witnessing her parents’ health challenges, which prompted her to take action for her own well-being. Chip echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that their dynamic had always been focused on individual efforts rather than a unified approach to fitness. Both emphasized the importance of their shared commitment to improving their health, marking a notable change in their routine.
The former HGTV star first revealed their decision to start working out together in a January 2025 Instagram post, showcasing a video of her doing push-ups and other exercises in the gym. In the caption, Joanna shared that she and Chip made the decision to start working out together ‘for the first time in our marriage’ back in September. She recalled not being able to do even one push-up on the first day due to a back injury she sustained while in college.
‘A few months in and I’ve never felt stronger,’ she wrote. ‘Today I did FIFTY push-ups! So I’m celebrating and putting this out there… I’ve let time, age, injury, and busyness be my excuse of why not to workout. I’m finally over the ‘it’s too hard’ hump and I’m ready to go! Who’s with me?’
During the podcast interview, the couple also discussed the challenges of exercising as an adult, particularly the tendency to compare oneself to one’s younger self. Joanna admitted to being motivated by the idea of getting back to the way she looked as a teenager, but that working with Saladino has helped her focus on ‘forward motion.’
Chip agreed the comparison to his younger self can be challenging, especially when struggling to do something that used to be easy for him. ‘I was just naturally gifted in all these things, and once it became a challenge to do them, I got worse and worse at it, which is not great, because if you can only do it when it comes easy to you then it’s not really a thing. It’s not really a gift or a talent. It’s when it’s hard that you then still show up,’ he said.
The couple’s journey into fitness together not only signifies a personal milestone but also highlights their evolving approach to health and wellness, demonstrating how their lifestyle choices continue to adapt with time.