Why rich men like Jeff Bezos are striving for Hollywood physiques

It used to be that middle-aged moguls could have their cash — and eat cake, too. 

But as demonstrated by recent photos of a very buff Jeff Bezos — hosing off on his mega-yacht with girlfriend Lauren Sanchez — the era of the paunchy playboy is over.

In the viral snaps, the 57-year-old billionaire is shirtless, revealing toned abs, sculpted arms and a muscular chest. The nerdy Amazon magnate of yesteryear appears to have Primed a lot of protein shakes and personal training.

New York-based trainer Annette Lang said Bezos is hardly the only fat cat looking quite trim these day. The richest men in the world are getting older, and thus more health-conscious. That, in tandem with a growing cultural emphasis on self-care, has spawned the era of the buff mogul.

“Successful people are disciplined,” Lang said. “Being in shape personifies discipline and dedication.”

Meet five titans of industry who are ruling the boardroom — and crushing it at the gym.

Keith Rubenstein, 57 and a partner at the real estate investment firm Somerset Partners, has worked out nearly every day since he was 27 years old. But, in 2000, he took up boxing and took his fitness to the next level.

“I jump rope, sometimes for an hour, do shadow boxing and hit a heavy bag for three or four rounds,” said Rubenstein, who is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 167 pounds. “I’ve never been in better shape, and the feeling I get after a great workout is unmatchable.”

The West Chelsea resident works out seven days a week for at least an hour. In addition to boxing, he regularly lifts weights and can bench-press up to 250 pounds. But it’s the ring he’s really passionate about. In 2017, he and his notoriously tough boxing coach Eric Kelly opened SouthBox, a South Bronx gym for those looking to get in some punches. Many clients are portly businessmen who aspire to achieve Rubenstein’s trim 32-inch waist.

“They come here pudgy and soft, and my job is to tighten them up,” Kelly said. “They’re used to people kissing up to them, but I’m the boss here and push them to the limit.”

He added: “The pool boy for their house wears a size 30 pants. What do you think that their wives are going to do with that pool boy? It’s a common situation.”

For Peter Thomas Roth, who has a phenomenally popular, eponymous skin-care brand, everything changed when he hit 40.

“A fat gene kicked in when I turned 40,” said the beauty tycoon, now in his mid-50s. “I blew up to 225 pounds, from 175 pounds. I felt huge.”

He worked hard to slim down to 180 and maintain it. Whether he’s at his apartments on the Upper East Side or Miami or his house in Southampton, Roth is devoted to an exercise routine that includes rowing, stationary biking and free weights several days a week.

He also dramatically changed his diet. He now avoids bread and pasta in favor of lean seafood and vegetables. Tequila is only an occasional treat.

“The effort is worth it,” said Roth. “I feel incredible.”

Top divorce attorney Ken Jewell is a fierce crusader for his clients — he has represented Libbie Mugrabi in her high-profile split from billionaire art scion David Mugrabi — but the sedentary nature of his work has sometimes led him to put on weight.

“Pounds can creep up if I don’t make an effort to keep them away,” said the 57-year-old.

These days, he maintains his 6-foot-8, 240-pound frame with regular bike rides from his Upper West Side apartment to the George Washington Bridge and back. 

“I ride 13 miles in 50 minutes and also try to walk back and forth to my office on top of it, which is two miles each way,” he said.

While a previous generation of power attorneys might have been able to forgo such active pursuits in favor of martini lunches and steak dinners, Jewell said keeping fit is part of his job.

“My clients are high profile and expect me to look a certain way and be healthy,” he said. “They care about their health, too.”

In his 20s, Michael Schwab — the son of famous investor Charles Robert Schwab — tipped the scales at 190. But these days, the 45-year-old founder of the real estate investment company Big Sky Wave Developments, is a fit 172 pounds with enviable six-pack abs. Nearly every day, he does 45 minutes of cardio on a VersaClimber machine, along with pushups, squats and free weights.

He caps off his intense workouts by taking an icy plunge in the 41-degree pool in his Malibu, Calif., house, which helps him recover. He has also recently taken up riding a trendy foilboard — essentially a surfboard with a hydrofoil attached to it that lifts the rider into the air.

“Working out has helped me lose weight and given me confidence,” said Schwab. “It’s also helped me achieve professionally.”

Early in his career, real estate agent Chad Carroll prioritized his professional life over gym time.

“I was working 24/7 and didn’t devote the time and energy into fitness,” said the former star of “Million Dollar Listing Miami” and a top-grossing agent with Compass. But, in recent years, the 37-year-old has taken to working out as hard as he works.

Every day, he gets up between 5 and 6 a.m. to exercise. Often, that means meeting up with his trainer at Equinox for an intense session that includes jumping jacks, pull-ups, weight lifting and pushing a 200-pound sled across the room. 

“I work out to be in shape and stay mentally clear,” said Carroll, who is based in Miami. “Exercise helps me be better at work.”