Madonna defends fitness obsession

Pop star Madonna has brushed off criticism about her overly muscled body insisting she requires rigorous training to cope with her strenuous on stage dance routines.

Pop star Madonna has brushed off criticism about her overly muscled body insisting she requires rigorous training to cope with her strenuous on stage dance routines.

Madonna, 51, had sparked concerns about her obsession with fitness with her prominent biceps and frequent trips to the gym, reports contactmusic.com.

"I do it for health reasons and for aesthetic reasons. If I have to go out on stage and jump around in a pair of hot pants, I better look good. Also when I perform, I am like an athlete and I have to be in good shape," she said.

"I am not panicked, I just know what my job is and I know that if I want to be able to wear whatever I want to wear on stage then my body better look good," she added.