Cheryl “Salt” James On How She Works Out to Feel Good, Not for Vanity

Cheryl “Salt” James is a lot of things. She’s one-third of Salt-N-Pepa, the most successful female rap group of all time. She’s a businesswoman. She’s a mother. And she’s a testament to focus and perseverance, something that she says serves her well on her fitness journey. The emcee/producer spoke to Okayplayer about that journey, and shared that part of why she’s inspired to embrace wellness is because so many of her peers in hip-hop have passed away from preventable illnesses. 

“There’s a lot of people in the industry dying prematurely of health issues,” Salt says. “I work out on my page. I cook on my page. I talk about health and wellness and how important it is to take care of ourselves and be an example.”

With Salt-N-Pepa’s recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and the ongoing demands of the group’s tour schedule, Salt admits that her lifestyle is jam-packed. But she prioritizes her workouts, which she often features on her Instagram page. She says that it’s always been a part of who she is. 

“My motto is ‘Get up, get it in and get it over with!’” Salt explains. “The focus is not what it used to be: vanity. I used to work out to look good–now I work out to feel good. I eat right to feel good. Because I wanna be able to wipe my butt when I’m 80!”

“It’s important to represent that as well as spiritual healing– I've done therapy. I’m always in pursuit of healing and growth,” she adds. “Not only for myself but for others.”

She shares that her routine can be varied, as she’s mindful to switch things up in the name of balance. 

“I do 30 minutes of cardio,” she says. “I used to hike but hiking is hard. I was like ‘when is this going to get easier!’ I switched to the treadmill and an incline of about ten feet and about three minutes. I can burn about 300 calories. One day with arms, one day with chest, one day with legs – I switch it up. But it’s become a routine for me.”

Salt is frank about how she drifted away from her regimen during some of the rougher stretches of her life and career. She also acknowledges that her mental health and emotional wellness had to be addressed as much as her physical fitness. 

“I’ve worked out my whole life,” she says. “My daughter was two and we used to do step aerobics together! We still work out together. But I did have a long period of time when I got divorced and the group broke up and there was just a lot of things going on and I went through a very lethargic state. Depression and all that stuff. I lost my love of working out and gained a lot of weight. I feel like I’m just getting back to myself. 

“I really stopped caring, I think, about a lot of stuff, because I was healing. But I got back to a point where I was like ‘I need to prioritize my health again like I used to.’ 

The rejuvenated Salt has become a shining example of how maturation in hip-hop can be dope and inspiring; and how healthiness is a lifestyle not a habit. She’s always sharing her fitness journey with her followers online. It’s something that Salt now says serves her as much as it inspires her fans. 

“[The comments] motivate me! When I think I'm not going to go to the gym, I’m like ‘No, they need me to go!’” she shares. “So it’s also motivating for me.”