You’ve probably seen the grainy paparazzi shots of Ye—formerly known as Kanye West—pacing through the streets of Florence or tucked away in a minimalist gym in Tokyo. Usually, he's wearing something that looks like it weighs fifty pounds, yet he’s moving with a purpose that doesn't quite match the "lazy artist" trope. People always ask: is he actually training for something, or is he just... walking fast?
The truth is, Kanye West running isn't just about cardio. It’s never been about a simple 5K or hitting a PR on a treadmill. For Ye, movement has always been a weird, tangled-up mix of mental health maintenance and creative fuel.
Lately, in 2026, things have shifted. We aren't seeing the erratic, high-speed sprints of the 2020 campaign trail. Instead, the vibe is more deliberate. It’s grounded.
The Myth of the Marathon
There was a rumor floating around a while back that Kanye was secretly training for a marathon. Honestly? Probably not. While he’s definitely into fitness—remember "The New Workout Plan" from 2004?—his current approach is less about endurance sports and more about "functional aesthetics."
Basically, he works out to feel powerful enough to run a multi-billion dollar (well, multi-million now) empire.
Back in the day, he worked with Don Brooks, the guy who pioneered the "Don-A-Matrix" method. It’s this intense, resistance-based circuit training. It involves a lot of lateral movements and quick bursts of speed. Think of it like a basketball warm-up that never ends. When you see him "running" today, it’s often these high-intensity intervals rather than a steady-state jog through a park.
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He likes the explosive energy. It matches his personality.
Mental Health and the Morning Mile
We have to talk about the mental side. It's no secret that Ye has had a rocky few years. Between the public fallouts and the brand collapses, his headspace has been a topic of global conversation. Experts like Dr. Mike Ryan, who has worked with high-performance athletes, often note that for individuals with bipolar disorder or high-stress lives, rhythmic movement like running is a stabilizer.
It’s about the endorphins, sure. But it’s also about the silence.
When Kanye is running, he’s usually solo. Or maybe with a single bodyguard trailing twenty paces behind. In 2025, during his time in Italy, locals reported seeing him out at dawn. No music. No phone. Just the sound of expensive sneakers hitting old stone.
It's a far cry from the "Stronger" era gym sessions. It’s quieter.
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The Gear: Is It Actually Functional?
If you’re a sneakerhead, you’re looking at his feet. Always.
Lately, the footwear hasn't been the bulky Yeezy 700s. We’re seeing more of the sock-like prototypes and strange, avant-garde silhouettes that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie. But do they actually work for running?
- The Weight: Most of his recent "running" fits are heavy. Layers of hoodies, heavy-duty trousers. This is essentially accidental weighted-vest training.
- The Sole: He’s moved toward thinner, more tactile soles. It’s very "barefoot runner" adjacent, which focuses on mid-foot striking.
- The Purpose: The clothes are part of the workout. He’s not trying to be aerodynamic. He’s trying to disappear into the sweat.
Why the "Presidential Run" Confused Everyone
If you search for "Kanye West running," Google still wants to tell you about his 2020 or 2024 political bids. That’s the "running" most people care about. But there’s a funny overlap here.
During his most active political phases, his physical activity spiked. He was pacing stages. He was walking miles through his Wyoming ranch. He even once told an interviewer, "I'm not going to run, I'm going to walk."
It was a metaphor, but it also described his physical state. He was restless. In 2026, that restlessness seems to have been channeled back into the gym. He’s been seen at private facilities in Los Angeles more frequently this year, reportedly focusing on core strength and flexibility.
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A Typical "Ye" Session in 2026
If you wanted to train like him right now, you wouldn't just hop on a Peloton. It’s more chaotic than that.
- Dynamic Warm-up: Think high knees and shadowboxing. He likes to stay light on his feet.
- Interval Sprints: 30 seconds of pure, unadulterated speed followed by 90 seconds of walking. He repeats this until he looks like he’s about to collapse.
- The "Creative Walk": This is the most important part. After the heart rate is up, he walks. For a long time. This is where the ideas for the new album, Bully, supposedly started to gel.
It’s not a polished routine. It’s not something you’d find in a fitness magazine with a "Get Ripped in 30 Days" headline. It’s messy. It’s Kanye.
What You Can Learn From It
You don't need a private ranch in Wyoming or a billion-dollar brand to take something away from his approach.
The biggest takeaway? Stop worrying about the "right" way to run. If you want to wear a heavy hoodie and do sprints in an alleyway because it makes you feel like a protagonist in a movie, do it. Ye has always prioritized the feeling of the workout over the metrics. He isn't checking a Garmin watch to see his VO2 max. He’s checking his pulse to see if he’s still alive and kicking.
If you’re looking to start your own version of this, start with the intervals. They’re better for your metabolism than long, boring jogs anyway. Plus, they fit a busy schedule.
Keep it short. Keep it intense. And for the love of God, don't worry about what the neighbors think when they see you sprinting in a trench coat.
Actionable Insights for Your Routine:
- Ditch the steady pace: Try "Fartlek" training (Swedish for "speed play"). It’s unstructured and lets you sprint when you feel like it and walk when you don't.
- Focus on the "Post-Run Clarity": Use the 20 minutes after a hard run to jot down ideas. The blood flow to the brain is at its peak here.
- Functional layers: If you want to burn more calories without adding miles, wear slightly heavier gear. Just be careful with heat exhaustion.
- Privacy matters: Find a route where you aren't being watched. Real fitness progress happens when you aren't performing for an audience.