LL Cool J named Men's Fitness icon

LL Cool J has spoken about his exercise regime after being named a Men's Fitness icon.

The 43-year-old rapper showed off his six-pack on the cover of the US magazine, saying that he makes himself work out even when he doesn't feel like it.

LL, real name James Todd Smith, said: "Sometimes you roll out of bed and don't feel like going to the gym - doesn't matter. You gotta master your emotions, master yourself. What's the saying? 'A man who can conquer himself is greater than the one who can conquer a city.'

"If it's the right thing, and you know you're supposed to do it - do it even if you don't feel like doing it."

Now a star on NCIS: Los Angeles, Smith also added: "There was a time ten years ago, when there was a big backlash against rappers turning into actors.

"My response to that was to study really hard, go to acting school, focus my energy into acting, and now I'm doing what I'm doing."