Dale Shearer, 60, shares intense gym routine in social post

Dale Shearer, a 60-year-old rugby league great, posted details of his most demanding gym session to date, showing two hours of cardio and a lengthy weights block as part of his ongoing commitment to fitness. The former Queensland and Australian star, known as one of the NRL’s most celebrated outside backs, drew attention not only for the effort but also for the Port Adelaide AFL jumper he wore in the gym. Followers teased the shirt choice, but Shearer’s message was clear: the routine is about staying in top shape well into his 60s.

Shearer laid out the structure of the workout in a social post, describing a plan that totaled more than two hours of exertion. “Forty-five minutes of light weights, high reps. An hour on the bike. Half an hour on the rower. Four hundred crunches in the steam,” he wrote, adding: “Off to a flying start.” The post also showed his mindset, framing the session as a personal deadline and a motivator to keep pushing forward.

Across a storied football career, Shearer played for multiple clubs in the NRL, including Manly, Brisbane, Gold Coast Seagulls, South Queensland Crushers, the Cowboys and the Roosters. He represented Queensland in 26 State of Origin matches and earned 20 caps for the Kangaroos, establishing a reputation for his fitness and competitive drive. He also spent a stint in England with Widnes during the 1987-88 season.

In reflecting on his life in and out of the game, Shearer has emphasized fitness as a lifelong trait. He told ABC NRL Daily earlier this year that his career may not have unfolded as it did without the support of his late wife, Delyse, who died from cancer at age 39. He recalled a pivotal moment from the move to Manly in 1985, describing how a drive toward the “bush” region nearly kept him from pursuing top-level football before his wife urged him forward. “If she wasn’t in that car with me I wouldn’t have got there at that time… On that particular day, I wasn’t keen on going to the big smoke,” he said, explaining how her influence helped him seize the opportunity to join the Sea Eagles.

Shearer has recalled that his fitness was always among his strongest assets. “I’ve always been fit. People called me a closet trainer. I think that’s a huge secret to my success. Squash was a key thing, I loved playing squash,” he added, describing how a 31-day training program with shuttle runs and long-distance work helped him settle into Manly after arriving from Mackay. His emphasis on conditioning is echoed in his admission that he had to push through periods when training did not come easy, tying his current routine to a long-standing personal discipline.

The post and accompanying discussion have reignited interest in how athletes maintain peak condition long after their prime, with Shearer illustrating that a blend of cardio, weights, and core work can remain a central component of lifelong fitness. While the exact regimen may be tailored to age and recovery needs, his example underscores a broader message for athletes and gym enthusiasts alike: consistency and purpose can sustain high performance beyond the years typically associated with elite sport.