Joe Wicks shares simple habit that transformed his parenting
Fitness coach and television personality Joe Wicks has opened up about how exercise has transformed not only his physical health but also his parenting, revealing that his daily workout routine helps him remain patient with his four young children.
The 40-year-old fitness expert, who has built a global following with more than four million Instagram followers, shared the personal insight during a recent question-and-answer session, explaining that he exercises every morning before his children wake up to help regulate his emotions.
Wicks said his message about fitness has evolved over the years and is now centred more on mental wellbeing than physical appearance.
“The message I always share now is that exercise is about mental health. It’s about boosting your mood into being confident and energised and being a good parent and being patient,” he said.
The father of four admitted that raising young children can be overwhelming, but said regular exercise allows him to approach parenting with a calmer mindset.
“I have got four kids under seven and they stress me out so much, right? And if I didn’t exercise, I would be like my mum – she screamed at me and shouted at me and slammed doors. I’d be like my dad, I’d be aggressive and so for me, it’s like, I exercise every morning before they wake up, so I’m a calm dad,” Wicks explained.
The fitness coach has previously spoken publicly about the difficult environment he experienced growing up. His father struggled with a long-term heroin addiction, while his mother battled obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders.
Drawing on those experiences, Wicks said he is determined to create a different atmosphere for his own family and believes physical activity plays an important role in achieving that goal.
He stressed that exercise should not be viewed simply as a way to improve appearance, but rather as a tool for improving overall wellbeing and relationships.
“And that’s what I always share, exercise isn’t about how you look, it is also more than that. It’s so much more than that,” he said.
Encouraging others to use their influence responsibly, Wicks urged people with public platforms to promote the wider benefits of staying active.
“So just wherever you are, if you’re an influencer or you’ve got a platform, always share that message that exercise is a really powerful tool to change how you feel and help the relationship around you,” he added.
Wicks shares four children with his wife Rosie. The couple are parents to Indie, Marley, Leni and Dusty, and the fitness coach has frequently spoken about balancing family life with his career.
Known internationally for promoting home workouts and healthy living, Wicks has increasingly focused on the emotional and psychological benefits of exercise in recent years. His latest comments highlight how fitness has become part of his daily parenting routine, helping him stay patient and emotionally present for his children.
Rather than chasing physical goals alone, Wicks said his morning workouts are about becoming the best version of himself for his family, explaining that maintaining his own mental wellbeing allows him to build healthier relationships with the people he loves most.
