Twelve years and three more Bond films later, Craig is still in fantastic shape at 50 and confirmed to play history's most jacked James one more time in Bond 25. MensHealth.com caught up with Craig at the Opportunity Network's 11th Annual "Night of Opportunity" gala in Manhattan — the actor was co-chairing the event with wife Rachel Weisz — to ask how he keeps up with his MI-6 fitness routine.
His laconic advice was so characteristically blunt that it was actually inspiring. "You just have to," Craig told us. "I have no choice. I got to do it."
But what about the days when the motivation just isn't there? "Well, that's every day," Craig said. "Every day I don’t want to [workout]. But you just make yourself do it."
The centerpiece of the night's auction was Craig's own personal 2014 Aston Martin, with all proceeds of the sale going toward higher education for underprivileged students. Since the actor was already passing on the car, we asked who he thought should take on the mantle of Bond himself when he's done with it.
"Oh, I don’t know," Craig said with a wink. "Someone good."
That's a far cry from Craig's rather hostile answer to Time Out London back in 2015 when they posed the same query: "I don't give a fuck. Good luck to them!" Craig went on to offer some eye-opening advice to whoever should next walk in Bond's high-tech shoes: "Don't be shit." Inspiring!
We've play casting couch for this role before, with Idris Elba netting out as our top choice, but Chris Hemsworth has another suggestion: Charlize Theron. Said Hemsworth, "[Charlize] scares the hell out of me. I think she could beat the shit out of me and most villains out there."
Strong props from Thor. While we wait and see what the future holds for Bond, steal Craig's Quantum of Solace workout, and get in Bond shape ASAP.
Quantum of Solace Muscle
Reps: 10 of each exercise
Sets: 4
Incline Biceps Curls
Lie on an incline bench raised to 45 degrees. Hold 2 dumbbells down by your sides, palms facing each other. Curl the dumbbells up to your shoulders, turning your wrists as you do so your palms finish pointing behind you. Return to the start and repeat.
Triceps Dips
Get on a pair of parallel bars and lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the ground. Push back to the start until your elbows are straight but not locked. Slowly lower and repeat.
Lateral Raises
Hold two dumbbells in front of your thighs. Bend knees and with bent elbows raise your upper arms out to the side until your elbows are at shoulder height. Slowly lower and repeat.
Shoulder Press
Hold two dumbbells up by your shoulders, palms facing either side of your head, and take a small step forward. Bend your knees slightly, then drive the weights over your head until your arms are straight but not locked. Slowly lower and repeat.
A version of this article originally appeared on Men's Health.