Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, 58, has spoken about the significant impact a femur fracture sustained in 2022 had on his perspective on fitness and aging. Hawk shared that the injury, which occurred while attempting a 540-degree aerial trick known as a McTwist, served as a stark reminder that he is not "Peter Pan" and cannot perform difficult maneuvers without proper preparation.
A Painful Lesson
The injury resulted in a broken right femur, a bone that requires surgery to repair and months of recovery. Hawk's femur fracture was severe enough that it required surgery and, according to his account, he returned to skateboarding too soon after the initial operation. This premature return led to the bone not healing correctly, necessitating a second surgery. Hawk described his post-injury approach as "too cavalier," admitting he ignored warning signs such as pain.
"You know, I went through some pretty significant injuries," Hawk stated. "I feel like had I been more well-tuned, stronger, more warmed up, maybe that wouldn’t [have] happened, but [you] live and learn."
Evolving Fitness Routine
Now, Hawk is back to skating, though he acknowledges a reduction in the complexity and risk of the tricks he attempts. He continues to engage in activities like surfing and snowboarding depending on the season. However, the 2022 injury prompted him to diversify his workout regimen to maintain fitness, flexibility, and strength.
He has incorporated strength training into his routine, dedicating at least two days a week to it, a practice he did not prioritize until his 50s. His workouts vary based on his skating schedule. On days he skates, he focuses on upper body work and stretching. On days he does not skate, his routine emphasizes overall strength training and lower body exercises.
Encouraging Consistent Movement
Through his partnership with Qunol for their "Move Like a Champion" campaign, Hawk advocates for people of all ages to stay active. He stresses that extreme athleticism is not necessary, but rather consistent motion. He suggests simple activities such as walking or playing with children to keep muscles engaged and prevent idleness, which can become more prevalent with age.
Hawk noted that many of his peers who no longer skate have found other ways to stay active, like swimming or, in one friend's case, playing augmented reality games that encourage walking. "It’s more just getting out there and staying in motion like keeping it moving," he said. "That’s the key especially to when you get older — it’s so easy to be idle and it’s so easy to have sort of your muscles you take for granted."