Jon Pardi retains delivering knockout performances with out ever throwing a punch.
The nation music powerhouse isn’t any fighter, however hitting each word for 20-plus songs in entrance of sold-out audiences who’re singing proper alongside has earned the singer the precise so as to add just a little championship fashion swagger to his step.
Staying stage-ready takes greater than a gifted set of pipes and the flexibility to put in writing No. 1 hits—because the multi-platinum-selling artist is proving. Approaching his coaching with UFC-level ferocity has been key to Pardi’s onstage success as he nears 40. He hardly ever takes a coaching break day, regardless of the place he’s performing. Whether or not pushing by means of a grueling HIIT session together with his coach at house or discovering a gymnasium when the Honkytonk Hollywood Tour stops in locations like Prescott Valley, AZ, staying match is non-negotiable—particularly when his followers are all prepped for one more spherical of “Pardi time.”
“When individuals are at your fingertips and we’re all there collectively having a good time, it’s one thing particular,” he explains. “You possibly can’t get that within the gymnasium, brother.”
At the moment, Jon Pardi’s health routine facilities on weights and conditioning, although he nonetheless hopes so as to add boxing at some point. “My purpose is to at the very least match soar rope into the exercises,” he says. On his newest tour, he stepped into the position of athlete, teaming up with MMA star Michael Chandler for a Rocky-style motivational promo to spice up his Honkytonk Hollywood tour. “He’s the fittest man I’ve ever met on this planet,” Pardi says. “That man works out arduous.”
Whereas Pardi might not match Chandler’s power within the Octagon, staying in form has helped him keep a demanding schedule. Not too long ago, he headlined exhibits in Australia earlier than hitting America’s roads in assist of his newest 18-track album, Honkytonk Hollywood. Followers nonetheless flock to classics like 2015’s “Head Over Boots,” which is nearing half a billion streams, whereas eagerly embracing new hits like “Friday Night time Heartbreaker,” already creating buzz on Spotify and SiriusXM.
His latest album represents a major workload, although Pardi jokes that 18 songs is a lightweight load in comparison with some country music peers. “Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan don’t assist,” he laughs. “They’re releasing like 37 songs a document, which I believe is loopy. For me, 18 is nice.”
Wanting good is essential to Pardi as he approaches 40. At this level, it’s not about making the quilt of a health journal, as a substitute leaving a number of buttons undone on his signature Wrangler shirt is the purpose now. “I’ve to look good in garments,” he says. “I don’t should take my shirt off if I don’t wish to. However while you’re touring, you’ve bought to look good fitted.”
One other key to creating 2025 an distinctive 12 months has been his choice to surrender alcohol. The additional relaxation he now prioritizes previous to and after showtime has turn into a well being and longevity sport changer.
“The bus is the most effective place,” he says. “You simply go there, sit back, cling with the band. When the engine goes on, you go to mattress to the sounds of the standard freeway.”
By no means an Excuse to Skip a Exercise
Whether or not the band is rolling into Pittsburgh or Idaho Falls, each tour cease has its personal distinctive really feel. However over 20 years, Jon Pardi has noticed a few cross-country constants. “I swear each small city has a Planet Fitness and a Greenback Basic,” he jokes. For an artist boasting 11 million month-to-month listeners worldwide, a $25-a-month Planet Health Black Card is likely to be his smartest funding, particularly when he must get a exercise in a brand new city. “They’re all over the place, and I at the very least know what I’ve bought wherever I am going,” he says. “There are some crappy gyms on the market, although.”
At Planet Health, there’s no skipping leg day for Pardi. However as a backup, he retains a compact house gymnasium proper on the bus—decked out with dumbbells, kettlebells, slam balls, and his must-have ab wheel. “That’s a should,” he admits. “It’s an ideal upper-body exercise for me.”
Sustaining power and mobility whereas touring means adapting exercises to suit street life with out sacrificing depth. Pardi typically leans into body weight workouts that may be accomplished wherever, crafting a routine as versatile and efficient as his high-energy exhibits.
“It’s very athletic to carry out,” he says. “I dance and transfer round quite a bit, and also you’re pushing, inhaling. Generally singing seems like being out of breath on a regular basis. A core exercise is so essential for performing. Even yoga is nice.”
Yoga has taken a backseat these days on account of restricted free time and fatherhood duties. When he’s at house, Pardi works with a private coach specializing in elementary strikes like squats, lunges, push-ups, and pull-ups. At 6’4” and coping with some lingering again ache, he’s given up heavy again squats however all the time finds methods to work his decrease physique arduous. “I don’t should be placing up 400 kilos on the squat rack—however you’ve started working your legs out.”
Although he enjoys boxing, alternatives to apply are uncommon. Sooner or later, he hopes to search out the nerve so as to add soar roping to his routine. “That’s an effective way to usher in cardio whilst you’re resting,” he says. “Folks overlook concerning the soar rope and all these old-school exercises. These old-school dudes have been robust for a cause.”
Jon Pardi Channeled His Inside Michael Chandler
Headlining a live performance is an adrenaline rush from intro to encore, and Jon Pardi clearly relishes each second on his 32-city Honkytonk Hollywood Tour. You gained’t catch him taking a break throughout his intensive setlist—that may be a disservice to the legions of followers who helped him climb to the highest of the charts with platinum hits like “California Dawn” and “Dust on My Boots.” That’s why staying energized is essential.
“You get in there, seize some Purple Bull, go get some power,” he says. “You hit a excessive you’ll be able to’t get wherever else. Your adrenaline kicks in, endorphins flood you, and also you’re giving it your all.”
Pardi’s two-plus-hour exhibits transcend music, dancing, and fan interplay—there’s fireworks and pyrotechnics, too. To advertise the tour over the winter, Pardi teamed up with UFC star and fellow Nashville native Michael Chandler to mix the theatrics of pyrotechnics with the depth of an MMA exercise. The outcomes have been hilariously spectacular.
“I had an thought to do understanding with pyro,” he explains. “Like, we’d do some curls, hit the bench, squat, then growth! Some pyro. Then it became getting Michael Chandler as my coach. He’s in your face and shirtless. The distinction between me, the band, and Michael is manner totally different when he’s bought his shirt off.”
Decked out in an old-school grey sweatsuit, Pardi powered by means of the simulated exercise. “It actually gave it that comedy really feel. Then all of us bought skilled up and ended it with some pyro.”
Whereas the video provided an entertaining glimpse into Pardi’s coaching routine, his interplay with Chandler created memorable moments. “Michael couldn’t have been a greater sport—actually getting it and simply having enjoyable. It turned out nice.”
Sleep for Most Efficiency
At the moment’s tour bus could also be a fancier improve from the outdated van Jon Pardi and his bandmates relied on earlier than his first studio album, Write You A Tune, dropped in 2014. The grind of making new music and performing night time after night time, nonetheless, by no means will get simpler. It could be much more taxing on a physique that’s pushing 40, however Pardi is nowhere close to the tip of the street. In reality, embracing the battle is a musician’s badge of honor.
“I’m used to it now,” he admits. “It wears on you, however what are you gonna do, complain? No—you get again on the bus, get again on stage, and also you do it.”
Health wasn’t all the time a precedence for Pardi. He admits that throughout the early years, he hardly ever set foot in a gymnasium. However a profitable profession, together with a spouse and two younger daughters, reshaped his well being priorities. “Health and well being within the van days have been in a bottle of Jack Daniels—that was your go energy,” he laughs. “Again then you definately didn’t must work out. You would eat no matter you wished. However enjoying exhibits did burn energy. Wanting again, you’re a special animal in your 20s than you at the moment are.”
Since quitting ingesting in 2023, Pardi has loved the psychological readability it brings to his performances, songwriting, and coaching—although he admits he misses the enjoyable occasions a bit. “There’ve been so many nice hangover songwriting days, you understand, however there’s undoubtedly clearness now.”
Now, for Pardi, relaxation and quiet time have turn into his wholesome addictions on the street. He’s observed how a lot of a distinction a sober, well-rested model of himself makes onstage—particularly throughout grueling back-to-back exhibits like these on his Australian tour.
“By the tip of the third present, you get just a little squeaky,” he says. “You’re giving every part you’ve bought for the final tune. You’re attempting to remain centered, push by means of, sweating buckets, but it surely’s the group lifting you up.”
Earlier than showtime, after finalizing setlist technique with the band, Pardi heads again to the bus to unwind. He is aware of sleep and recuperation are important to delivering the high-energy performances followers anticipate night time after night time. “I’d say at the very least three hours earlier than the present, simply be quiet. That’s what each vocal physician would suggest.”
