Aaron Taylor-Johnson Explains How Becoming a Parent Changed His Fitness Goals

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Armani Beauty’s newest fragrance ambassador, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that since becoming a parent, his workout time has doubled as his “unwinding time.” Johnson and his wife, 50 Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson, share two daughters. Johnson is also stepfather to two of Taylor-Johnson’s children from her previous marriage.

“Almost weirdly, I think my workout time kind of is my unwinding time, in a way, because it’s my time, which feels very rare these days,” Johnson explained. “I mean, you’ve got kids [too], you’re a parent,” he said, referring to the interviewer. “If you get an hour and a half yourself, it feels very much like a wind-down time because you’re able to have your own thoughts for a minute and decompress and sort of set yourself straight again and realign yourself.”

Johnson explained his daily fitness routine, revealing he’s exchanged extended workouts for relaxed, introspective activities that allow him to be more present in everyday life. “I meditate for about 10 to 20 minutes every morning. I get up about 5:30 or 6 am, then I’ll go work out for an hour, and then I’ll get my kids up and make breakfast and take them to school,” he said. “I love cooking and I love vegetable gardening and all those sorts of things. Sort of active and also just being immersed in an outdoors lifestyle.”

Johnson admitted that getting “the opportunity to fly around the world and meet new people” can be “very glamorous,” but is ultimately a bit hollow. He feels most at peace when he leaves the noise of Hollywood and returns to his family and their country estate. There, he keeps an admirable garden and a cadre of farm animals.

“I have got kale and things like that, and I had pumpkins last season,” Johnson recounted. “It’s very seasonal sort of stuff. I have chickens, I have two pigs, I’ve got two cows. I very much have sort of a homestead.”

He continued: “When I’m home and I’m in the countryside, which I call home, is when I feel like that’s my grounding. That’s my place where I can put my feet in the earth and feel grounded. I’m very [grounded] when I’m outside.”

Despite his love of staying home, Johnson has a busy 2024 ahead. He’ll be appearing opposite Ryan Reynolds in The Fall Guy, out May 3; as the title character in Kraven the Hunter (August 30); along with a decorated ensemble in Rothko, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (October 25); and in Robert Eggers’ anticipated remake of Nosferatu (December 25).

Johnson’s Acqua di Giò men’s fragrance campaign kicks off on February 16, but you can see some exclusive snaps over at The Hollywood Reporter.