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45th NAACP Image Awards Presented By TV One - Red Carpet

Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty

Idris Elba talked to Men’s Health about what he does to stay in shape.

We can think of a couple cardio excercises we’d like for him to show us.

The 6’2-195lb actor, provided details about his favorite health routines:

‘Shadowboxing is one of the best workouts you can do. You don’t need any equipment, and it works every muscle. It’s what Nelson Mandela did many mornings in his jail cell,’ he said while sweat dripped off his body (We couldn’t help ourselves).

As a devout method actor, we’re not surprised Elba took his Long Walk To Freedom role seriously as he prepared to play Nelson Mandela–but his love of fitness goes beyond his roles.

‘My ultimate fitness goal is to be fight-ready. If I step into the ring, could I go toe-to-toe for five rounds? That’s what I strive for. That’s what I consider fit. I want to know that if I’m being wrestled to the ground, I’ve got the strength to fight a man off. Kickboxing is rugged—it’s all core strength. But when you’re fight-ready, you feel like you can last forever.’

We sure wouldn’t mind him protecting us, would we beauties?

Check out a sneak peek from the cover shoot here:

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