Tyler Rich is about to turn 40 and is reinventing himself both artistically and physically.
The country singer’s new album, Leaving California—the follow-up to spring’s Hello California—dropped on Sept. 26. This comes just a few months after he made his literary debut, penning the children’s book Dogs Don’t Die, inspired by his popular song of the same name.
His heartfelt homage to the loss of his husky, Abby, in 2023 inspired his desire to help kids navigate the heartbreak of losing a pet. “It kind of just hit me with an idea of writing a children’s book that could just help a little kid get through the inevitable heartbreak of losing a pup,” he explains.
His booming success comes at the same time Rich recommitted himself to a consistent wellness routine—something he admits has been erratic over the years. “I’ll be 40 in February, and it’s that time of our life where it all slows down and [the body] starts getting wider,” he says. “So my goal was to get ahead of that.”
Over the past year and a half, he’s doubled down on his workouts while investing in the perfect garage gym at home. To mix things up, he also kept a local health club membership as emergency motivation.
On tour, Rich and the band keep the tour bus loaded with gym gear to eliminate any obstacles in finding a place to work out, no matter what far-off location he may be playing in.
So far, the results have been as impressive as the popularity of hits such as “The Difference,” which is now closing in on 85 million streams on Spotify. And as Rich’s 22-city Leaving California tour is in full swing, the high-intensity movements keep the in-shape indie artist feeling both jacked and energized on and off the stage.
“You never feel better or more ready to tackle the day than after a workout,” he says.
How Fitness Fuels Tyler Rich’s Confidence and Fills His T-Shirts
With 40 approaching, Rich has shifted his workout goals from aesthetic-enhancing biceps curls to a conditioning-inspired regimen aimed at performing flawlessly for 90-plus minutes. His latest workouts—filled with sled pushes, running, and other high-intensity training—focus on building strength and stamina over sleeve-splitting gains.
“It gives you those endorphin boosts,” he says. “Your adrenaline’s going, and you feel good about yourself. You feel like you accomplished something for your body, your health, and your mind that day. And then you get to go on stage and play.”
His home gym includes plenty of variety—a Peloton bike, a Tonal system, a set of Powerblock dumbbells, along with resistance bands, jump ropes, and weighted vests. He’s become attached to his smart gym for its versatility and ability to hit all the muscle groups. Rich also likes mixing up resistance training with sweat-inducing HIIT workouts.
“If I’m not doing the Tonal, I’ll just do like circuits. I’ll just build like a circuit out in my driveway or in the garage and just rock it like that.”
Despite the convenient setup, he still keeps a local gym membership to mix things up and prevent his workouts—and enthusiasm—from going stale. “You do that for a few weeks at home, and you’re like, ‘Man, I really wish I could go to a gym right now,’” he says, laughing.
For him, training is also about vocal power and breath control. “If my cardio is off, and then I’m on stage for 75 minutes singing and jumping around with my band, you feel it,” he says. “There’s the technicality of a singer being able to really hit the notes, and everything they’re supposed to do really comes down to your breathing. And if you’re not in shape, you’re gasping for air on stage.”
While his workouts are now designed to ensure his pipes can hold the high notes a little bit longer, he admits that showing off his other set of pipes is an added onstage bonus. “Wearing a shirt always looks good if your veins are popping a little bit when you’re on stage.”
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Throughout the years, Rich and the band have mastered the art of making any open space a suitable spot for stepping off the bus and straight into a workout. The closer to the venue, the better—it’s always easier for the boys to pull out the jump ropes and dumbbells and create a makeshift circuit to get a good pump before showtime. These workouts result in a host of reactions from passersby—ranging from applause and curious glances to being completely ignored. Tyler takes it all in stride.
“People see us on the side of the road working out. I like to think they’re inspired—inspired by some homeless-looking band guys working out on the side of the street.”
Staying on point with nutrition, however, remains an obstacle that Rich admits is still a work in progress. The “Made Up My Mind” singer makes as good an effort as possible to avoid overindulging on post-show pizzas and beers. “It’s obviously clear to all of us that nutrition is the most important thing about working out,” he says. “Otherwise, you’re just kind of working off the beers, if you’re lucky.”
Late-night shows and unpredictable schedules mean that healthy options are often limited. However, if there’s a Whole Foods or any grocery nearby, Rich and his band try to take control where they can. “If we’re not on fly dates and we’re on a bus and stuff, I can bring groceries to keep it all on track.”
One strategy amid the inconsistency that Rich says has worked is intermittent fasting. He typically eats his first meal around 2 p.m., then dinner and a late snack. Along with other artists, Rich finds that keeping an eight-hour food window each day allows him to maintain his energy and keep his mind clear.
“For me, I swear to God, it doesn’t matter what—I could just eat eggs, with nothing on them, and it’ll make me kind of feel [sluggish],” he says. “But fasting. It’s just, I love it.”
How Fitness and Style Help Create Tyler Rich’s Onstage Swagger
Rich’s commitment to conditioning and chest-pumping workouts has provided more than just added flex appeal and a boost to the singer’s booming vocals. Looking good adds a necessary level of swagger that fans expect at each show—and can easily spot when it’s lacking.
“Confidence on stage is, like one of the most important things,” Rich says. “You have to feel good in your body and your skin and just feel confident up there.”
Achieving that level of confidence, though, sometimes comes at the cost of being humbled after a heart-pounding workout with musical peers. Rich recalls an energy-draining episode when he and singer Jimmie Allen shared an epic pre-show workout on Long Island with the notoriously ripped singer and former quarterback Riley Green. The three were invited by Rich’s friend, trainer Dan Michaels. Soon after the weights began clanking, Rich and Allen began regretting their decision to share the weight room with the “Worst Way” songster.
“[Dan] put us through hell, and of course, Riley Green—he’s just completely fine,” Rich says. “He’s sweating and tired, but it’s nothing compared to Jimmie and me. Jimmie and I are just literally passing out. Jimmie even throws up after the workout. I was pretty good once we got to the show, but Riley just looks like he jogged a mile. That’s why Riley Green looks the way he does, and Jimmie and I look the way we do.”
Rich’s confidence comes out when he has the opportunity to model any one of his specially designed merch items. His sartorial theory is simple: before it looks good on a fan, it has to look equally as good on his physique. “It’s got to be cool. It’s got to be something that, if I was going to watch one of my favorite bands and they had that T-shirt, would I buy that?” he says.
His closets are overflowing with baseball hats, and to keep the rotation moving, Rich will toss the one he’s wearing that night into the crowd. What the lucky fan will never catch, he says, is one of his signature hats. “I don’t ever want to wear a hat that says Tyler Rich on it—it’s just kind of cheesy,” he laughs. Instead, he proudly sports Cowboy Tears, the brand created by his wife, Sabina.
Whatever the wardrobe of choice that day, the quest for better fitness has become a musical trend extending beyond Rich’s camp. Rich has often had the opportunity to hit the weights with other artists like Brett Young. Sweating together not only makes for a good workout, it becomes a bonding moment for the bands before showtime.
“A lot of times, other band guys and artists will come together and start working out,” he says. “It’s cool—it’s a good camaraderie moment before the show.”
Photo: David O’Donohue