Ludacris has chilled in Himalayan salt caves, hoping to breathe in the mind-body benefits. He has immersed himself in cold plunges to cool inflammation and undergone red light therapy for all-around rejuvenation and healing. All of which is to say: There’s pretty much nothing the hip-hop icon, now 49, won’t try in the name of wellness and longevity. “I’m a really curious person,” Ludacris, whose given name is Christopher Bridges, tells NewBeauty.
Still, when it comes to his everyday routine, Ludacris favors tried-and-true basics with proven benefits. That’s why he joined forces with One A Day for its “Health Doesn’t Need to Be Ludacris” campaign, which pokes fun at some of the more extreme fads out there. The main message? “There’s only room for one Ludacris in this world, and it ain’t gonna be your wellness routine.”
The way he sees it, wellness shouldn’t be a full-time job. “Nowadays, you have a world trying to feed you so many different things to do, and it takes up so much time when you can just take a One A Day Multivitamin ($17) and that’s going to be half the battle,” he says. “It’s simplifying life and just making sure you get your key nutrients.”
And his time is in short supply. More than two decades after he first came onto the hip-hop scene in 2000 with Back for the First Time, a triple-platinum album, Ludacris is as busy as ever. He’s in the studio laying down new tracks and getting ready for the next movie in the Fast & Furious franchise, due out in 2028. Keeping up that pace means staying healthy and fit wherever he is.
Ahead, Ludacris shares how he eats, works out and recharges on the road, plus the beauty habits behind his signature braids.
How He Eats on the Road
“You have to find the healthy food choices no matter where you go, and it seems like the world is starting to conform to having those types of choices,” he says.
Ludacris looks for organic, farm-to-table restaurants when he is on the road. “If I can’t find those, then I’ll go find like a [food] store where I can figure out how to stay healthy by myself.”
He’s not perfect. (Who is?) He has his guilty pleasures. “My go-to is probably chicken Alfredo. I love some sort of Italian food.”
A Workout, Anywhere
Working out five to seven days a week is another non-negotiable no matter where he is. “You have to stay disciplined, and most people break on the road.” Not Luda, as he is known to his legions of fans.
“I try to find the right gym—usually it’s at a hotel—or if not, then I’ll…find a place where I can be outside and do bodyweight things,” he says. “If I am just in the room, then I’ll get some free weights, and I’ll get on Zoom with my trainer if he’s not with me.” The routine typically includes push-ups, squat jumps and strength training.
His home gym in Atlanta is stacked. “I turned a whole garage into a gym, so I have everything you need like a bench, a squat rack, free weights and certain machines for leg extensions. I have a little bit of everything I need.”
Fresh Air, Water and Sleep
Just getting outside and walking around makes a big difference in his mood. “I fly so much, and I’m on so much transportation [that] I like to get fresh air,” he says. “That is something that is very underrated these days—fresh air.” Sometimes, he dons a disguise to get his steps in without being recognized while on tour.
“Even if I am somehow kind of blending in and hiding in plain sight, just being able to breathe fresh air is very important to me since I’m trapped in so many planes, cars and hotels without balconies.”
Hydration matters too. “I try to replenish the electrolytes and other things you lose when you exercise,” he says. His commitment to water has even gone viral: After drinking untreated meltwater straight from an Alaska glacier in 2024, he started a “water quest” to become the most hydrated person on Earth.
But if he had to pick just one habit? “Get enough sleep…that’s the number one priority,” he says.
Looking Good and Feeling Good
Ludacris is famous for his long cornrows and braids, and the One A Day multivitamin he takes contains biotin and chromium, which the brand says help support healthy hair.
And yes, the Southern Gangsta moisturizes, usually with Aveda lotion. “I’m just taking the best care of my skin and balancing my pH level,” he says.
Giving Back
He also supports underserved youth through The Ludacris Foundation, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2001. “I do a lot of visits into hospitals and rehabilitation centers, and I’m really into making sure that those children…feel supported and feel loved, because a lot of them are not able to come outside.” The foundation offers programs focused on nutrition, physical activity and overall wellness.
“Everything that I do is intertwined with the personality that I display in person, on screen and on stage,” he says. “It all is like one big 360-degree circle of fun, youth, liveliness and vibrancy,” he adds. “It’s all about health, and the most important thing is having longevity.”
