Chace Crawford Reveals the Secret to His Ripped Physique: ‘Start Small’ (Exclusive)

Actor Chace Crawford is no slouch in the gym, and he has some tips for people who want to start their own fitness journeys.

"I think the advice is to start small," the Gossip Girl star exclusively told The Messenger at the 38th annual Malibu Triathlon benefiting Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Sunday.

"I was so intimidated by this but also intrigued just being able to complete it the first time around," Crawford said. "I think I was in my early 30s, but you'd be surprised if you stay consistent with the training how far you can actually go."

"At first, I remembered saying, 'I can't do this' but as you progress, you really can surprise yourself and that's totally part of the fun for me in doing these things is the training."

The Malibu Triathlon, which raised more than $1 million for Children's Hospital LA this year, is "one of the best run events and probably now one of the biggest triathlons in the country," according to Crawford — and a chance to do some good.

"I visited some of the hospitals in my time in New York and here, and it's heartbreaking and uplifting to hear the stories," Crawford said. "My grandfather had cancer and it's just a cause I love to support."

"It was nice to always go and meet the kids and see everything. It's just a really, really important cause. And they do great work here."