Steve Aoki is definitely not of the “all play, no work” mentality. According to Men’s Health, he works out just as hard as he DJs, and even holds an “Aoki Bootcamp” for anyone who goes on tour with him!
Aoki told a story of pulling over in Poland in the middle of the night to get his push ups for the day in, otherwise he would have to pay the consequences: “There were no lights,” Aoki said. “There was just farmland, pastures all around. I stopped the car because at 12AM I would have to pay $100 if I didn’t get 100 push ups in.”
Anyone who doesn’t get their daily workout in during Aoki Bootcamp has to pony up to The Aoki Foundation, a charitable organization that the DJ runs to benefit brain science research and humanitarian efforts. Aoki himself es. I also want to put myself as the example. It’s great for some of these young guys that don’t necessarily donate all the time, it starts that. And I want them to feel the burn somehow.”
These workout sessions were originally just to help him get in shape, but after posting on Instagram about it, his daily routine started to get a lot of fan attention and emulation. “Aoki realized that his focus on fitness had a broader impact than just his own health, however, after interacting with a fan at a meet and greet event before a show,” Aoki explained to Men’s Health. “She came and showed me a before and after picture. She’s like, ‘I’ve been doing every single one of your workouts and I lost 26 pounds and feel so much healthier.'”
This interaction inspired him to be more purposeful in his workouts, to be not just a DJ, but a sort of online coach for anyone who wants him to be. “Sometimes I’m running and gunning,” he says. “I’m not really thinking about the end goal or who’s watching. Now after that, I’m thinking even more like I’m going to gear this like it’s some kind of Tae Bo class or something. Like you’re subscribing to a free class.”