Skip to content
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

20 Amazing Bodies of Female Cyclists

Here are their fitness tips.

FACT CHECKED BY Alberto Plaza
Women's Health Women In Sport Awards 2018 - Arrivals
Don Arnold/WireImage
FACT CHECKED BY Alberto Plaza

Dive into the world of elite female cyclists, where endurance, mental fortitude, and unparalleled dedication intersect. These 20 sensational women offer glimpses into their training regimens, dietary choices, and personal challenges. Whether it's Marianne Vos's intense hours on the saddle, Anna van der Breggen's stand against unhealthy weight loss pressures, or Puck Moonen's emphasis on mental well-being, each story is a testament to the multifaceted nature of top-tier cycling. Discover not just their athletic prowess, but the holistic approach they take to excel, both on and off the bike.


1. Marianne Vos

32nd GP Adrie Van der Poel Hoogerheide UCI Cyclo-Cross Worldcup 2022 - Women's EliteLuc Claessen/Getty Images

Marianne Vos shared some of her training secrets with Total Women’s Cycling. “For me, most of the training I do is about those base level miles. I really spend time doing hours and hours on the bike, especially in the winter but also during the road season, to keep my base level high.”

2. Anna van der Breggen

UCI 2018 Road World ChampionshipsAndrea Kareth/Getty Images

In an interview with Cycling News, Anna van der Breggen spoke out against the pressures of losing weight in the cycling industry. "Junior riders should not be trying to lose weight. They don’t know how much of an influence it will have on their bodies, not just on their weight, but on all of the systems in their bodies, and their mental health. Junior girls need to have the right people around them to protect them from these [pressures].”

3. Lizzie Deignan

Lizzie Deignan Portraits, HarrogateJesse Wild/Getty Images

Lizzie Deignan talked about her diet secrets in an interview with WeLoveCycling.com. “I make sure that I have three main meals a day. I never skip a meal. I have seen so many riders who get into this cycle of putting on weight and starving themselves and you can only do that so many times before your metabolism is totally knackered. So I make sure I have three meals, and then it’s about being consistently healthy, you have to be prepared to take weight off in a long way instead of really quickly.”

4. Chloe Degert

UCI Track Cycling World Championships Berlin - Day 2Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Chloe Degert shared her go-to pre-race meal with Sports Illustrated. She has a unique approach to getting the right amount of energy. “I need sugar! I do it because I perform well on sugar—before Junior World championships in 2015, I ate like six cake pops before the race and I won. The day before a race, if I have, like, a ton of donuts? We’re good.”

5. Kristin Armstrong

Cycling - Road Time Trial - Olympics: Day 5Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Kristin Armstrong shared her training process with TrainingPeaks.com. “I would go to some yoga classes, but when we talk about strength training, that wasn’t in my life prior to Rio. So as time has gone, I have found that it’s very difficult to keep, you know, when you’re younger you lose some muscle mass and you start training again, your muscle mass comes back, no problem. And so I had to focus a lot on, what am I going to do off the bike to, well, first of all, it was to prevent injury. You know, I had to make sure that my core, so if I go out for a long ride and I have tons of elevation that day, a lot of times our core or our transverse abs, they turn off and our lower back starts to carry that weight. And you know, over the years of riding bikes, a lot of us feel that.”

6. Annemiek Van Vlueten

NOC/NSF Sportgala 2022Joris Verwijst/Getty Images

In an interview with Cycling Weekly, Annemiek Van Vlueten broke down her training and weight loss process. "It is still healthy, but it is not my balance weight. I have to focus very much on it, weigh everything, to reach the weight with which I want to go to the Tour to win."

7. Clara Hughes

2014 Canada's Walk Of Fame AwardsGeorge Pimentel/WireImage

Clara Hughes likes to walk to stay in shape, and her native Canada has a lot of great walking spots. She tells Cycling Magazine,“You know, in every city and in Canada, there’s public green spaces, there’s bike paths, there’s places to pause and it’s just a matter of finding a little bit of time. I’m all about disconnecting to reconnect, disconnecting from all of this chaos, to reconnect with just, I don’t know, mind, body, spirit, self.”

8. Jolanda Neff

Cycling - Mountain Bike - Olympics: Day 4Tim de Waele/Getty Images

In an interview with Women Fitness, Jolanda Neff talked about her decision to go pro in 2012. “I decided to put all my energy for the sport and go for it! The year 2014 showed that it was one of the best decisions of my life. The fact that I had more time for training and especially regeneration made it possible for me to improve and get to the top of the world level. It takes a lot of hard work but you must make sure you enjoy what you are doing, and I love riding bikes, and I think this is exactly the reason why I am successful: I love what I do.”

9. Dani King

OMEGA House presents 'Spotlight On Swimming'Mike Marsland/WireImage

Dani King shared her training secrets with Total Women’s Cycling. “One of the biggest mistakes I see people making is doing too many junk miles,” explains King: “People think ‘the longer I ride, the better I’m doing’ – but you’re not weight bearing on a bike, so you’re not even burning that many calories by riding easy miles, especially if you’re in a group. If you like that, and it’s what makes you happy – you’re not racing and you’ve not got other ambitions, keep doing it, but if you have got key targets that you want to achieve then it’s really important to make sure every ride you’re doing counts.”

10. Evelyn Stevens

UCI Road World Championships - Day FourJonathan Devich/Getty Images

Evelyn Stevens shared her approach to dieting with Outside Online. “I’m a lover of food and eating. I don’t follow any specific diet. I eat real, whole foods and avoid processed stuff. I’m a huge fan of farmer’s markets, and am spoiled with good ones in California and when I’m on the road in Europe.”

11. Katie Compton

CYCLOCROSS-BEL-WORLD-CUPDavid Stockman/Getty Images

Katie Compton tells Men’s Journal that she likes to use the keto diet to help her stay in cycling shape. “I love [the ketogenic] diet for how I feel,” she says. “I think well, I have tons of energy, I’m not hungry, I lean out, I just feel better when I eat less carbohydrates.”

12. Manon Carpenter

Ponte,De,Lima,,Portugal,-,March,9,2014:,Manon,CarpenterShutterstock

Manon Carpenter talked about her motivations in a 2013 interview with Total Women’s Cycling. “My goal is always to win. I’m not going to have a massive strop if I don’t but it’s good to see what you can do. I want to ride like I know I can because riding to my full capabilities makes me happy.”

13. Caroline Buchanan

Women's Health Women In Sport Awards 2018 - ArrivalsDon Arnold/WireImage

Caroline Buchanan shared her workout routine to Women Fitness. “I do 3 gym sessions a week in the pre season and off season. Track sessions, interval sprint training on the Watt Bike, swimming for some cross training, speed sprints, uphill sprints, skills sessions etc. Recovery is also big, so yoga, stretching & pilates are also part of what it takes.”

14. Sarah Hammer

2016 Team USA Media Summit - PortraitsHarry How/Getty Images

In an interview with Velo, Sarah Hammer talked about missing out on the 2004 Olympics, and how it made her want to work harder. “I decided that I had unfinished business and that I would come back and it would be completely different,” she said. “There was never gonna be another wasted moment on my side where I didn’t put in the effort that was needed. If I’m gonna do it, I am only gonna do it for one reason, and that is to be the best that I can be.”

15. Kate Courtney

2019 Team USA Awards - Red CarpetFrazer Harrison/Getty Images

Kate Courtney revealed to Men’s Journal that she’s struggled with food sensitivities, which made her want to seek help. “I started working with a new nutritionist, tracking my macros, and paying attention to what’s actually in the food I’m eating,” she says. “I realized that a lot of the time, I wasn’t fueling enough around riding. So now I have a game plan to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Courtney revealed that she has a gluten sensitivity.

16. Laura Kenny

BRITAIN-ROYAL-AWARD-CYCLINGKirsty O'Connor/Getty Images

Laura Kenny shared her diet and training process in an interview with Women’s Health. “So, in the morning I will have Special K for breakfast, and maybe a crumpet or a bagel afterwards. Then I tend to go out on the bike, so that will be like 2 hours. Then when I’m back it will be lunchtime and that can be anything from having beans on toast to an omelette, anything like that because normally I’m training in the afternoon, you want something quite easy to digest and not something that’s going to sit on your stomach for that long. Then I will go back out on the bike, I might take a cereal bar or something with me to keep me going till dinner. Then for dinner, it varies, a bake, like a tuna bake or a roast dinner if it’s a Sunday and Jason is feeling nice.”

17. Emily Batty

Collingwood,,Ontario,,Canada,-,October,18,,2016:,Olympian,Emily,BattyShutterstock

Earlier this year, Emily Batty announced her retirement from cycling. She talked about what she has learned from her career in her announcement. “As I reflect on all these moments, I am reminded that the core of life's meaning and purpose lies not in pursuing medals and achievements but in the journey of self-improvement through unwavering dedication to our craft, experiences, and skill advancement. It is a testament to our character, reflecting who we are and what we strive for, and how this transformation unfolds beautifully, leading us to become enlightened and better versions of ourselves.”

18. Rachel Atherton

BT Sport Action Woman Of The Year Awards 2016 - ArrivalsJohn Phillips/Getty Images

Rachel Atherton broke down her typical training week with GQ. “When it comes to training, we don’t fix a rigid schedule for the week (eg do X on Monday etc) as the programme is so fluid (for example, good weather equals time on the bike). My trainer, Nick Grantham, gives me a menu – there are some non-negotiables but everything else is adaptable.”

19. Puck Moonen

Cycle Mode International 2017Jun Sato/Getty Images

Puck Moonen opened up about how she is taking care of her mental health in this Instagram post. “Slowly settling back into more of a rhythm at home. Coffee, work, training, doing bits around the house, cuddling the cats🥰Much of how I used to behave around training flowed out of fear. Fear of doing less than others, fear of failure, fear of not burning the calories I just ate to do said training. During all the time I was racing for pro-teams, I never had a healthy relationship with food or training and only started becoming fully aware and changing my behaviour well after. Looking back it wasn't a very happy time and putting my mental health first over the last year has answered a lot of why's on why things weren't working out, or only temporarily. I've been thinking about it a lot recently and how I can use my experience to positively impact others and learn more about myself in the process to build back better.”

20. Ellen van Dijk

95th UCI Road World Championships 2022 - Women Individual Time TrialTim de Waele/Getty Images

In an interview with Trek Bikes, Ellen van Dijk talked about her training process and what motivates her. “I’m a type of rider that never wants to hear any intermediate times. It doesn’t matter how fast somebody else is going because I’m going the maximum, so I don’t want to hear that information because it can only distract me from what I’m doing at that moment. It’s my fight with myself. I give everything that I have in a time trial. It can be demotivating if I know that somebody is faster or, if I’m the fastest, it can be distracting. I just go full gas to the finish anyway.”

More For You

Women's Health Women In Sport Awards 2018 - Arrivals
Don Arnold/WireImage
FACT CHECKED BY Alberto Plaza
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Dive into the world of elite female cyclists, where endurance, mental fortitude, and unparalleled dedication intersect. These 20 sensational women offer glimpses into their training regimens, dietary choices, and personal challenges. Whether it's Marianne Vos's intense hours on the saddle, Anna van der Breggen's stand against unhealthy weight loss pressures, or Puck Moonen's emphasis on mental well-being, each story is a testament to the multifaceted nature of top-tier cycling. Discover not just their athletic prowess, but the holistic approach they take to excel, both on and off the bike.


1. Marianne Vos

32nd GP Adrie Van der Poel Hoogerheide UCI Cyclo-Cross Worldcup 2022 - Women's EliteLuc Claessen/Getty Images

Marianne Vos shared some of her training secrets with Total Women’s Cycling. “For me, most of the training I do is about those base level miles. I really spend time doing hours and hours on the bike, especially in the winter but also during the road season, to keep my base level high.”

2. Anna van der Breggen

UCI 2018 Road World ChampionshipsAndrea Kareth/Getty Images

In an interview with Cycling News, Anna van der Breggen spoke out against the pressures of losing weight in the cycling industry. "Junior riders should not be trying to lose weight. They don’t know how much of an influence it will have on their bodies, not just on their weight, but on all of the systems in their bodies, and their mental health. Junior girls need to have the right people around them to protect them from these [pressures].”

3. Lizzie Deignan

Lizzie Deignan Portraits, HarrogateJesse Wild/Getty Images

Lizzie Deignan talked about her diet secrets in an interview with WeLoveCycling.com. “I make sure that I have three main meals a day. I never skip a meal. I have seen so many riders who get into this cycle of putting on weight and starving themselves and you can only do that so many times before your metabolism is totally knackered. So I make sure I have three meals, and then it’s about being consistently healthy, you have to be prepared to take weight off in a long way instead of really quickly.”

4. Chloe Degert

UCI Track Cycling World Championships Berlin - Day 2Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Chloe Degert shared her go-to pre-race meal with Sports Illustrated. She has a unique approach to getting the right amount of energy. “I need sugar! I do it because I perform well on sugar—before Junior World championships in 2015, I ate like six cake pops before the race and I won. The day before a race, if I have, like, a ton of donuts? We’re good.”

5. Kristin Armstrong

Cycling - Road Time Trial - Olympics: Day 5Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Kristin Armstrong shared her training process with TrainingPeaks.com. “I would go to some yoga classes, but when we talk about strength training, that wasn’t in my life prior to Rio. So as time has gone, I have found that it’s very difficult to keep, you know, when you’re younger you lose some muscle mass and you start training again, your muscle mass comes back, no problem. And so I had to focus a lot on, what am I going to do off the bike to, well, first of all, it was to prevent injury. You know, I had to make sure that my core, so if I go out for a long ride and I have tons of elevation that day, a lot of times our core or our transverse abs, they turn off and our lower back starts to carry that weight. And you know, over the years of riding bikes, a lot of us feel that.”

6. Annemiek Van Vlueten

NOC/NSF Sportgala 2022Joris Verwijst/Getty Images

In an interview with Cycling Weekly, Annemiek Van Vlueten broke down her training and weight loss process. "It is still healthy, but it is not my balance weight. I have to focus very much on it, weigh everything, to reach the weight with which I want to go to the Tour to win."

7. Clara Hughes

2014 Canada's Walk Of Fame AwardsGeorge Pimentel/WireImage

Clara Hughes likes to walk to stay in shape, and her native Canada has a lot of great walking spots. She tells Cycling Magazine,“You know, in every city and in Canada, there’s public green spaces, there’s bike paths, there’s places to pause and it’s just a matter of finding a little bit of time. I’m all about disconnecting to reconnect, disconnecting from all of this chaos, to reconnect with just, I don’t know, mind, body, spirit, self.”

8. Jolanda Neff

Cycling - Mountain Bike - Olympics: Day 4Tim de Waele/Getty Images

In an interview with Women Fitness, Jolanda Neff talked about her decision to go pro in 2012. “I decided to put all my energy for the sport and go for it! The year 2014 showed that it was one of the best decisions of my life. The fact that I had more time for training and especially regeneration made it possible for me to improve and get to the top of the world level. It takes a lot of hard work but you must make sure you enjoy what you are doing, and I love riding bikes, and I think this is exactly the reason why I am successful: I love what I do.”

9. Dani King

OMEGA House presents 'Spotlight On Swimming'Mike Marsland/WireImage

Dani King shared her training secrets with Total Women’s Cycling. “One of the biggest mistakes I see people making is doing too many junk miles,” explains King: “People think ‘the longer I ride, the better I’m doing’ – but you’re not weight bearing on a bike, so you’re not even burning that many calories by riding easy miles, especially if you’re in a group. If you like that, and it’s what makes you happy – you’re not racing and you’ve not got other ambitions, keep doing it, but if you have got key targets that you want to achieve then it’s really important to make sure every ride you’re doing counts.”

10. Evelyn Stevens

UCI Road World Championships - Day FourJonathan Devich/Getty Images

Evelyn Stevens shared her approach to dieting with Outside Online. “I’m a lover of food and eating. I don’t follow any specific diet. I eat real, whole foods and avoid processed stuff. I’m a huge fan of farmer’s markets, and am spoiled with good ones in California and when I’m on the road in Europe.”

11. Katie Compton

CYCLOCROSS-BEL-WORLD-CUPDavid Stockman/Getty Images

Katie Compton tells Men’s Journal that she likes to use the keto diet to help her stay in cycling shape. “I love [the ketogenic] diet for how I feel,” she says. “I think well, I have tons of energy, I’m not hungry, I lean out, I just feel better when I eat less carbohydrates.”

12. Manon Carpenter

Ponte,De,Lima,,Portugal,-,March,9,2014:,Manon,CarpenterShutterstock

Manon Carpenter talked about her motivations in a 2013 interview with Total Women’s Cycling. “My goal is always to win. I’m not going to have a massive strop if I don’t but it’s good to see what you can do. I want to ride like I know I can because riding to my full capabilities makes me happy.”

13. Caroline Buchanan

Women's Health Women In Sport Awards 2018 - ArrivalsDon Arnold/WireImage

Caroline Buchanan shared her workout routine to Women Fitness. “I do 3 gym sessions a week in the pre season and off season. Track sessions, interval sprint training on the Watt Bike, swimming for some cross training, speed sprints, uphill sprints, skills sessions etc. Recovery is also big, so yoga, stretching & pilates are also part of what it takes.”

14. Sarah Hammer

2016 Team USA Media Summit - PortraitsHarry How/Getty Images

In an interview with Velo, Sarah Hammer talked about missing out on the 2004 Olympics, and how it made her want to work harder. “I decided that I had unfinished business and that I would come back and it would be completely different,” she said. “There was never gonna be another wasted moment on my side where I didn’t put in the effort that was needed. If I’m gonna do it, I am only gonna do it for one reason, and that is to be the best that I can be.”

15. Kate Courtney

2019 Team USA Awards - Red CarpetFrazer Harrison/Getty Images

Kate Courtney revealed to Men’s Journal that she’s struggled with food sensitivities, which made her want to seek help. “I started working with a new nutritionist, tracking my macros, and paying attention to what’s actually in the food I’m eating,” she says. “I realized that a lot of the time, I wasn’t fueling enough around riding. So now I have a game plan to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Courtney revealed that she has a gluten sensitivity.

16. Laura Kenny

BRITAIN-ROYAL-AWARD-CYCLINGKirsty O'Connor/Getty Images

Laura Kenny shared her diet and training process in an interview with Women’s Health. “So, in the morning I will have Special K for breakfast, and maybe a crumpet or a bagel afterwards. Then I tend to go out on the bike, so that will be like 2 hours. Then when I’m back it will be lunchtime and that can be anything from having beans on toast to an omelette, anything like that because normally I’m training in the afternoon, you want something quite easy to digest and not something that’s going to sit on your stomach for that long. Then I will go back out on the bike, I might take a cereal bar or something with me to keep me going till dinner. Then for dinner, it varies, a bake, like a tuna bake or a roast dinner if it’s a Sunday and Jason is feeling nice.”

17. Emily Batty

Collingwood,,Ontario,,Canada,-,October,18,,2016:,Olympian,Emily,BattyShutterstock

Earlier this year, Emily Batty announced her retirement from cycling. She talked about what she has learned from her career in her announcement. “As I reflect on all these moments, I am reminded that the core of life's meaning and purpose lies not in pursuing medals and achievements but in the journey of self-improvement through unwavering dedication to our craft, experiences, and skill advancement. It is a testament to our character, reflecting who we are and what we strive for, and how this transformation unfolds beautifully, leading us to become enlightened and better versions of ourselves.”

18. Rachel Atherton

BT Sport Action Woman Of The Year Awards 2016 - ArrivalsJohn Phillips/Getty Images

Rachel Atherton broke down her typical training week with GQ. “When it comes to training, we don’t fix a rigid schedule for the week (eg do X on Monday etc) as the programme is so fluid (for example, good weather equals time on the bike). My trainer, Nick Grantham, gives me a menu – there are some non-negotiables but everything else is adaptable.”

19. Puck Moonen

Cycle Mode International 2017Jun Sato/Getty Images

Puck Moonen opened up about how she is taking care of her mental health in this Instagram post. “Slowly settling back into more of a rhythm at home. Coffee, work, training, doing bits around the house, cuddling the cats🥰Much of how I used to behave around training flowed out of fear. Fear of doing less than others, fear of failure, fear of not burning the calories I just ate to do said training. During all the time I was racing for pro-teams, I never had a healthy relationship with food or training and only started becoming fully aware and changing my behaviour well after. Looking back it wasn't a very happy time and putting my mental health first over the last year has answered a lot of why's on why things weren't working out, or only temporarily. I've been thinking about it a lot recently and how I can use my experience to positively impact others and learn more about myself in the process to build back better.”

20. Ellen van Dijk

95th UCI Road World Championships 2022 - Women Individual Time TrialTim de Waele/Getty Images

In an interview with Trek Bikes, Ellen van Dijk talked about her training process and what motivates her. “I’m a type of rider that never wants to hear any intermediate times. It doesn’t matter how fast somebody else is going because I’m going the maximum, so I don’t want to hear that information because it can only distract me from what I’m doing at that moment. It’s my fight with myself. I give everything that I have in a time trial. It can be demotivating if I know that somebody is faster or, if I’m the fastest, it can be distracting. I just go full gas to the finish anyway.”

London,,Uk.,June,28,,2019:,Aimee,Fuller,Arriving,For,The
Shutterstock
FACT CHECKED BY Alberto Plaza
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Extreme sports are not just about adrenaline-pumping stunts; they're also a testament to the remarkable physical and mental strength of the athletes who conquer them. In this article, we'll introduce you to 20 extraordinary female athletes who have pushed the boundaries of human capability in their respective sports. From skateboarders to surfers, climbers to snowboarders, these women share their secrets to maintaining peak physical condition, their approaches to nutrition, and their unique journeys in the world of extreme sports. Join us as we celebrate their dedication, determination, and the amazing bodies that enable them to achieve greatness in their chosen disciplines.


1. Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Pastrana

35th Annual Salute To Women In Sports - ArrivalsMichael Loccisano/Getty Images

Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Pastrana talked about motherhood in an interview with Cooler Lifestyle. She says that she doesn’t want to lose herself in being a mother, and is finding a balance. “A lot of people seem to think or act like their entire world has to now spin on the axis of their child, and that their lives have to completely change, but that’s never the way I’ve looked at it,” she said. “To me, it’s just another little buddy along for the ride. I bring Addy everywhere, she does everything with us, and I haven’t let having a child hold me back from anything. You can be a great parent and continue your life almost exactly as it was before (in my opinion anyway). Parenting can be challenging, and travelling with a child can be more tiring than before, but it’s worth it to have your sweet little buddy with you and continue what you love to do!”

2. Kelly Clark

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM Studios - February 18, 2014Andrew Toth/Getty Images

Kelly Clark shared some of her favorite workouts with Sports Illustrated. In it, she talked about how she works out when she travels. “I’m looking for parks to put my feet on swings and do TRX,” she says. “You can do full body weight circuits on a jungle gym and run cones in the park. I have to get creative and adjust.”

3. Steph Davis

Bob Barker Hosts The Grand Opening Of PETA's New LA Building "The Bob Barker Building"Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Steph Davis shared her secrets to staying in shape for rock climbing with ForksOverKnives.com. “It helps to have strong tendons, a good strength-to-weight ratio, and good flexibility. And if you’re interested in long routes and climbing in the mountains, you have to have a lot of endurance to hike uphill with a pack on for hours just to get to the climb. [You can train] by climbing outside, climbing in a gym, doing finger-specific training, bodyweight calisthenics, weight training, or gymnastics training. I also like to trail run a lot.”

4. Maya Gabeira

Los,Angeles,-,Feb,18:,Maya,Gabeira,At,The,2012Shutterstock

Maya Gabeira makes sure to eat healthy. “Each surfer eats in a different way,” she tells Women Fitness. “I see people who do not want to eat a specific kind of food and some with intolerance. I eat in a natural way, removing industrials or un-naturals products. But what is always present in my diet is a well-prepared broccoli, with a lot of proteins, vegetables and asparagus. I also have many kinds of fruits and nuts in my diet.”

5. Lizzie Armanto

2021 Summer Dew TourSean M. Haffey/Getty Images

During the pandemic, Lizzie Armanto kept in shape by doing yoga at home. She shared this video of herself doing poses with her loved ones on Instagram. She captioned the post, “In all the mess of things happening, one constant is finding new ways to challenge myself. Using the living room to practice yoga, definitely fits that bill. There's so many house things to be distracted by. Luckily I have @axelcrusher & @mami_tezuka to be quarantined w/ and theyre game for most activities. & thanks to @dollieduke83 for the daily classes.”

6. Sasha DiGuilian

2021 Annual Salute To Women In Sports Awards GalaJamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Sasha DiGuilian talked about her diet in an interview with Men’s Journal. “I believe in everything in moderation,” she says. “I focus on fueling my body with a high-fiber, vegetable diet and lean protein - chicken and salmon, mainly. Though, I do enjoy red wine and cookies. I am not very strict with myself, especially when I am training hard. I follow a more encompassing - rather than eliminating - diet; making sure I have enough protein and greens throughout the day, more than anything else.”

7. Jamie Anderson

Los,Angeles,-,Jul,25:,Jamie,Anderson,At,The,Billabong'sShutterstock

Jamie Anderson loves to cook healthy foods. She shared some of her favorite recipes with Us Weekly. “I make my own gee, I’ll do like a lot of golden milk in the evening,” she says. “You use like turmeric and ginger and gee with organic milk and it’s a really healing erratic Ayurvedic supplement. And yeah, I like all kinds of random food. I love cooking so when I’m home, I’m into like stir-fries, and like today I learned all different types of Korean recipes, so I’m actually stoked to go make some more delicious food.”

8. Angel Collinson

Angel-CollinsonAngel Collinson / Instagram

Angel Collinson talked about her wellness routine with SGB Media. She says that balance is something that is important. “Balance offers more energy to do what you want to do and is motivating. It’s different for all of us. We all have a fire that burns inside of us—our fuel source if you will—wanting to accomplish things and do things. Sometimes the fire rages and sometimes it flickers. For me, it’s figuring out how to nurture the fire best because when you are feeling ‘fired up,’ you have the energy to do whatever you want, and inspiration comes naturally. When my fire is running low, I find that I have to do other things to get motivated.”

9. Chloe Kim

Las,Vegas,-,May,20:,Chloe,Kim,At,The,2018Shutterstock

Chloe Kim shared some of her favorite exercises with Bustle. “I do a lot of strength training. My trainer, Roy, is incredible, and I feel much stronger than I ever have. I’ve also been working on my cardio a bit because I’m sick of being out of breath after a run. To recover, I get physical therapy. When I’m in Los Angeles, my physical therapist, Vinh, takes care of me. When I’m in the snow, my physical therapist is Emilie. I always need someone with me on the road to ensure I’m good and ready to go.”

10. Rachel Atherton

BT Sport Action Woman Of The Year Awards 2016 - ArrivalsDanny Martindale/WireImage

Rachel Atherton talked about the evolution of her workouts with Muscle & Fitness. She says that her coach, Dan Robert, helped change her outlook with fitness. “We started focusing on quality over quantity and training very specifically to our sport. It was so exciting to be in the gym, and all that time training really makes you believe in yourself. That was the pinnacle.”

11. Isabelle Hanssen

U.S. Snowboarding and Freeskiing Grand Prix - Qualifying Day 2Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

In a post on her website, Isabelle Hanssen talked about her approach to being an athlete. “Being an elite athlete encompasses far more than mere training and competition,” she writes. “It is a way of life. Every choice you make, from your attire and personal presentation to how you invest your time and who you spend it with, contributes to shaping your unique individuality and character.”

12. Mimi Knoop

Mimi Knoop (Cq), 23, competes during the all Girls Skate Jam competition, the only sanctioned all–feIrfan Khan/Getty Images

Mimi Knoop notably tore the ligament in her ankle in 2018. She talked about how she recovered from it in an interview with Men’s Journal. “Injuries will happen; it's the reality of being an athlete,” she says. “It's important to approach injuries with patience and figure out what your treatment options are. You don't want to rush it because it's easier to heal right the first time than to deal with a chronic injury that never goes away.”

13. Paige Alms

The 2015 ESPYS - ArrivalsSteve Granitz/WireImage

Paige Alms makes sure to eat healthy. She tells Men’s Journal that she likes to make salads. “My go-to meal is a big, lush garden salad with kale, arugula, lettuce, cilantro, mint, parsley, tomato, cucumber, daikon, carrot, blueberries, apple – whatever is in the garden or in the fridge ... Add some BBQ chicken breast or venison, or some fresh fish from a friend. That’s pretty much my favorite meal - light, fulfilling and it makes me feel good!”

14. Amelia Brodka

2021 Summer Dew TourSean M. Haffey/Getty Images

A skateboard isn’t the only thing Amelia Brodka likes to ride. She also loves to surf and snowboard. She is seen doing all three in this Instagram video. Brodka captioned the post, “Christmas boarding trifecta with @alec_beck & @sierranevada 🏂🛹🌊 I’ve wanted to skate, surf and snowboard in the same day for as long as I’ve lived in California but ironically the opportunity presented itself while in NJ for the holidays!”

15. Aimee Fuller

London,,Uk.,June,28,,2019:,Aimee,Fuller,Arriving,For,TheShutterstock

Aimee Fuller broke down her fitness routine in an interview with Women Fitness. “I work in the gym 3x a week in the offseason,” she said. “As well as 1 or 2 jogs and a bike ride per week! That way I am keeping my explosive strength firing in the gym and working up a good base fitness through cardio.”

16. Laura Enever

Oceanside,,California,-,July,26th:,Laura,Enever,At,The,SuperShutterstock

In an interview with The Sunday Morning Herald, Laura Enever shared her day on a plate. She says that she loves coffee and a smoothie first thing in the morning. “My daily morning routine is coffee and a green smoothie at home before I head out for my first surf. It consists of banana, kale, plant-based protein powder, greens powder, essential oils, honey, ice and water.”

17. Ingrid Backstrom

World Heli Challenge 2009 - Freeride DayWorld Heli Challenge/Getty Images

In an interview with Ski Magazine, Ingrid Backstrom talked about her skiing career, specifically when she skied in Denali. “I got the opportunity to ski Denali and it was super tough mentally. My brother died the year before, but I thought it was important to take the opportunity when it came. It was a huge learning experience for me and really hard, mentally, but I’m glad I did it.”

18. Janina Kuzma

New Zealand PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games WorkshopHannah Peters/Getty Images

Janina Kuzma talked about how she prepares for competitions with Stuff.co.nz. "I've been competing a long time. Experience prepares me for these events. I know I'm a great competitor ... I know how to keep my cool and even if I'm having a bad day I know I can throw it down when it comes to my competition run."

19. Shauna Coxsey

adidas LDN Presents The Future Of SportDave Benett/Getty Images

Shauna Coxsey talked about her diet in an interview with Women Fitness. “I definitely think about what I eat, but I don’t actually follow a specific diet. I have tried a few different diets in the past, but I don’t enjoy being strict with food. I think that I’m lucky because I really enjoy good food, I like to feel healthy and I love cooking. However, I also enjoy dessert and I love baking too. I am conscious about getting a balanced diet and having a good relationship with food. I don have to ensure that I have enough protein when I am training a lot and I’ll have smaller pieces of cake if I want to lean up for a competition.”

20. Anouck Jaubert

Sport Climbing - Olympics: Day 12Maja Hitij/Getty Images

In an interview with Planet Grimpe, Anouck Jaubert talks about how she approaches climbing. “It's difficult to describe the run, because when I'm at full speed I don't have time to know what's happening! I felt like I was going fast and my only intention was to speed up! I obviously knew that we were side by side... On the last movement, I had to quickly let go of my left hand to go to the buzzer and unfortunately I didn't have time to grab the grip correctly to trigger the movement.”

Health

Cyclist Puck Moonen Shows Off Amazing Body

Moonen shares her favorite places and opens up about body acceptance, balanced diet, and mental health on Instagram.

Puck Moonen shares a post-workout selfie.
Puck Moonen/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Puck Moonen is a professional cyclist. She got to do a lot of things this year, and shared some highlights on Instagram recently. In the caption, Moonen shared where each photo was taken. “Just some of my favourite places I've been to this year🥰 1, 9, 11: Ibiza, Spain. 2, 10: Swiss Alps, Switzerland. 3: Jebel Jais, UAE. 4, 7: Monaco. 5: Siena, Italy. 6: Circuit de Reims, France. 8: Circuit Zolder, Belgium. 12: Bassano del Grappa, Italy. 13, 14: HOME❤️”

She Bikes

Biking is naturally the main way that Moonen stays in shape. According to A Healthier Michigan, biking has a lot of benefits. “All that work your body is doing by pedaling and balancing not only works muscles in your arms and core, but it counts as serious cardio exercise and burns calories with every spin of the wheels. By biking at a moderate pace, about 12 or 13 miles per hour, a person weighing 155 pounds burns nearly 300 calories in 30 minutes, according to statistics shared by Harvard University. Like to pedal faster? A person of that same weight doing a fast pace of 14 or 15 miles per hour burns more than 370 calories in 30 minutes.”

She's Comfortable With Her Body

Moonen talked about her journey to finding acceptance in her body in the caption of this Instagram post. “Am I fat? Obviously, no. And it's not a question I ask myself either. Not anymore, at least. But plenty of (young) athletes still do. And heck, it's not even just athletes. It is baffling how much bodyshaming is a thing in sports. Especially for female athletes, and for men it's a huge taboo. Cycling is a sport where everyone obsesses over W/kg and numbers on the scale often get wrongfully judged, even within professional teams (putting young athletes on a scale and telling them they need to lose 3kg is... scary!). Everybody is built differently, and what is ideal and healthy for me to perform at my best may not be ideal for someone else. Performance and health look different on different people!”

She Eats A Balanced Diet

Puck Moonen shows off her pancakes.

Puck Moonen/Instagram

In the caption of the previous Instagram post, Moonen talked about her diet. She says that she believes in a balanced diet. “I've put my unhealthy relationship with food behind me only a few years ago. Restricting and then binging and feeling guilty is not the way. It's not like I am never insecure; but overall I'm doing alright compared. I enjoy food. I eat about 80-90% healthy and fresh, the rest is comfortfood and snacks (which I now enjoy a lot more than before!). It's called balance and it's a pretty damn nice thing to have!”

She Doesn't Underfuel Herself

Moonen makes sure to eat enough when she’s training. She talked about this in the caption of this Instagram post. “If I could tell my younger self one thing about nutrition... it would be to stop underfueling during my riding. A habit that was fuelled by insecurity about my weight and obsession with w/kg on one side and lack of variety in foods I could have because of boring flavours and gross structures (*autism has entered the chat*) Sometimes I still feel turned off by the idea of having to eat during riding and eating has been a struggle since I last raced for a pro team (big shock: developed some anxiety then🥲). Now, when I really don't feel like eating I'll just take a few different options with me on my ride to make sure there's always something I can eat and there's always a flavour I feel like having. Usually I end up with gummy bars because they are an all round winner🤪 But I don't miss feeling faint and I also don't miss the binge eating at night🤝🏽”

She Takes Care of Her Mental Health

Moonen talked about taking care of her mental health in the caption of this Instagram post. “Slowly settling back into more of a rhythm at home. Coffee, work, training, doing bits around the house, cuddling the cats🥰Much of how I used to behave around training flowed out of fear. Fear of doing less than others, fear of failure, fear of not burning the calories I just ate to do said training. During all the time I was racing for pro-teams, I never had a healthy relationship with food or training and only started becoming fully aware and changing my behaviour well after. Looking back it wasn't a very happy time and putting my mental health first over the last year has answered a lot of why's on why things weren't working out, or only temporarily. I've been thinking about it a lot recently and how I can use my experience to positively impact others and learn more about myself in the process to build back better☺️”

Celeb News

20 Amazing Bodies of Female Athletes

Here’s how they stay in shape.

amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2021 - Arrivals
Getty Images
FACT CHECKED BY Alberto Plaza
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Get into the training, mindset, and lifestyle choices of twenty remarkable athletes. From Simone Biles to Carli Lloyd, who believes in balance and occasional indulgence, each athlete brings their unique approach to their respective sports. Misty May-Treanor's rigorous exercises, Kerri Walsh-Jennings' focus on recovery, and Serena Williams' varied workouts all demonstrate the dedication required to reach the pinnacle of their fields. As they share their secrets to success, it becomes clear that physical fitness, mental strength, and self-care are essential components of their journeys.


1. Simone Biles

6th Annual InStyle Awards - ArrivalsAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Simone Biles isn’t just a great athlete, she’s also an advocate for survivors. She opened up about testifying against Larry Nassar on Today. “For so many years to go through everything that I’ve gone through, put on a front, I’m proud of myself, and I’m happy that I can be a leader for the survivors and bring courage to everybody speaking up, so I’m happy to be a voice for them.”

2. Misty May-Treanor

U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Induction CeremonyJamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

Gold medalist beach volleyball player, Misty May-Treanor shared some of her favorite exercises in an interview with Women Fitness. “I love olympic lifting (cleans, jerks, snatches), squatting and explosive jump drills. I also implement track and hill workouts with a running instructor. Pilates helps me maintain a strong and healthy core since that is important in our sport. Since I am not the tallest player out there at times, my jump has to be strong from the very match to the very last match. Recovery is equally as important to the lifting as well and that comprises of massage, ice baths, and stretching.”

3. Kerri Walsh-Jennings

LA2028 & Delta Announce Sponsorship DealJoe Scarnici/Getty Images

Olympic gold medalist, Kerri Walsh-Jennings, opened up about her approach to training in an interview with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. “When at home, we will have double and triple days all the time. When I get into competition, I want to be fresh and play good volleyball. It is like a mental game. For me, I am going to try something new, add another workout and see how I feel. You need to be humble enough to keep it and push through, or if to much, adjust. It is so important to listen to your body and sometimes the hardest work you have to do is chill out and recover and fine tune.”

4. April Ross

Bud Light Super Bowl Music Festival - Red CarpetJesse Grant/Getty Images

Bronze-medal winning beach volleyball player, April Ross, opened up about her diet to Today. She says that there’s one thing she makes sure to cut out of her diet. "Sugar is so bad for your body. If you drink soda, the sugar causes inflammation. And it's bad for your joints, so, as an athlete, your joints are going to be more inflamed and you're going to be more prone to injury.”

5. Gabby Douglas

2020 American Rescue Dog Show - ArrivalsAmanda Edwards/Getty Images

Gabby Douglas tells HollywoodLife that she does a variety of things to keep herself in shape. “I’m used to doing the same thing every single day, whereas now I get to switch it up. Like, today we’ll do HIIT. Today we’ll do trampoline. Today we’ll do a dance workout. Today we’ll just dive in and it’s been fun even to be creative with myself, coming up with workouts that I find enjoyable because I believe you should be having fun when you workout. I love hard work and I love to sweat but at the same time though, you should love what you do.”

6. Serena Williams

54th NAACP Image Awards - ArrivalsFrazer Harrison/Getty Images

Serena Williams is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. One of her secrets for staying fit is doing a variety of workouts. “For me, it's so important to mix it up,” she told Fitness Magazine. “I ran, and then I biked. Then I did elliptical. That didn't work out so well, because it was boring, so I tried yoga. I started dancing because I couldn't train when I was sick. We started making up moves, and it was fun. Now I run for 10 minutes, and then I dance.”

7. Venus Williams

The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party 2023 – ArrivalsDarren Gerrish/Getty Images

Tennis legend Venus Williams opened up about her decision to go on a plant-based diet with The Beet. “When I was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome back in 2011, I had to make some major lifestyle changes in order to put my health first. After trying everything the doctor suggested, I continued to experience muscle and joint pain, and constant fatigue. But when I started exploring a plant-based diet to help reduce my inflammation and support my immune system, I loved the way it made me feel, so I kept going.”

8. Julie Johnston ErtzUS Women’s Soccer Team star, Julie Johnston Ertz opened up about her exercise routine with Prevention. “I think core is really important,” she says. “Cause it’s the center of your body. C​​ore machines are great but I do everything on the floor. If I’m doing a plank, I like to do step outs with my feet. I like to elevate even a little more."Alex MorganIn addition to taking care of her body, Alex Morgan also takes care of her mind. She shared how she manages any anxiousness with The Beet. “I tell myself: ‘Take a breath and enjoy the journey I'm going on now.’ It's overwhelming to think about going somewhere in the future, so I am living in the now and remembering to breathe.Candace ParkerWNBA champion Candace Parker talked about how she approaches basketball with SBNation.com. “I think simplicity has always been difficult for me. I think physically because you know, I’ve been versatile and have played multiple positions. I think simplicity was always, you know, me dribbling and me doing this and whatever. And now I’ve just learned that simplicity is key, doing things with the least amount of motion is going to benefit me greatly. So I think that is the biggest thing to me is just yes, I can dribble and do that, but it’s more beneficial for me to be able to do it with less motion.”Nastia LiukinOlympic gymnast, Nastia Liukin, shared some of her wellness tips with Today. "I think the most important thing to know is, you'll never regret a workout when it's over. And it's just hard to tell yourself that before you've done it. But just try to remember how you feel after your workout, and know that when you feel good, you look good, and you have more confidence, and so I think that that's really important."Shawn JohnsonWhile expecting her first child, Shawn Johnson and her husband Andrew East did a lot of workouts together. She told Us Weekly, “We always thought [when we were] dating that we were going to be that couple that works out together, but we really can’t work out together because he says I’m too intense. And then I got pregnant, and then we’re matched now, my intensity. So we work out now that I’m pregnant, which is funny.” Adds the gold medalist, “Hey, gymnasts are intense.”Jordyn WieberGymnast Jordyn Wieber told StyleCaster that she struggled with insecurities growing up.“The older I got, the more I realized my body can do amazing things that not a lot of other kids at my school could do,” Wieber says. “So I tried my best to embrace that, and once I made the Olympics team, I was like, ‘Woah! OK. Now I know where you are all the time.’ I started to appreciate my muscles a lot more rather than thinking my body was not as good as the other girls in my school because I looked different than them.”Carli LloydCarli Lloyd opened up about her diet to NJ.com. She says that while she eats healthy, she also believes in indulging once in a while. “Well, I rarely eat carbs, like pasta, pizza or bread, or fried, greasy foods. They just don't make me feel good. But I do enjoy stopping at my favorite pizza place in Philly!...Only every now and then, and only in moderation.”Lindsey VonnLindsey Vonn tells Women’s Health that when she was competing in skiing, she wanted to break the mold. "I was always just myself,” she says. “You can be strong and feminine and opinionated and wear makeup and do all those things at the same time. You don't have to be the stereotypical athlete. You can be different. There's no limit to what opportunities are out there [for you], you just have to go get them."Lindsey JacobellisLindsey Jacobellis opened up about what exercises she likes to do on the road in an interview with Women Fitness. “On the road workouts can be challenging when gyms are hard to find, but not impossible. 1. Walking lunges with dumbbells 2. Single leg RDL (Russian dead lifts) 3. Hanging leg raises 4.Traditional or wide leg back squats 5. Bent over single arm rows (These exercises can be done when there are limited weights to work with in a hotel gym.)”Mirai NagasuFigure skater Mirai Nagasu opened up about her mindset for competitions in an interview with TeamUSA.com. “I just want to believe in myself, and, I know it’s the cheesiest thing to say, but believe in that 5-year-old girl who started this dream,” she said. “I know I’m mentally strong. I went to the Olympics when I was 16 and ended up in fourth place, beating all these people who were beating me consistently. I know it’s within me. I just have to pull it out at the right moment.”Carissa MooreCarissa Moore shared some of her favorite workouts in an interview with Balance The Grind. “I work out with my trainer three times each week, and we do a lot of circuit training. I don’t actually use too many weights; it’s mostly body weight. I train to make sure I can get in the water and do what I love every day. I love burpees, skaters and mountain climbers. I do intervals, like 45 seconds on, 15 seconds off. My regimen is always changing, because I get bored if it’s the same workout. Each week I go to Pilates once and I usually go for a run twice.”Tia BlancoTia Blanco shared some of her favorite wellness products with POPSugar. She says that she owns a juicer, and puts it to good use. “I love to go to the farmers' market and load up on a bunch of local produce in season that is great for juicing," she says. "I always find myself juicing celery, lemon, apples, and parsley. Sometimes I will do shots of turmeric and ginger to spice things up."Louise HazelLouise Hazel opened up about her diet in an interview with WhoWhatWear. "I grab a banana and a bottle of water and a bowl of gluten-free muesli with almond milk. I recently found out that I am lactose intolerant using a DNAFit test, and I would recommend this to anyone who is taking their health and fitness seriously. It will give you a blueprint from which to make informed decisions about your diet and fitness regimen."

New,York,,New,York,-,September,09:,Lindsey,Vonn,Attends
Shutterstock
FACT CHECKED BY Alberto Plaza
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Some of the most prolific athletes in action sports are female. From Chloe Kim, Julia Marino, and Jamie Anderson killing it in the snowboarding world. To Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso being some of the greatest skiers of all time. To Carissa Moore, Tia Blanco, and Alana Blanchard riding the waves as surfers. These women have broken barriers, won medals, and became household names. How do they stay so fit? Read on to see.


1. Chloe Kim

X Games Aspen 2024Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Chloe Kim has won medals at the two most recent Winter Olympics for snowboarding. Kim shared her self-care practices with Allure. "I love taking a good bath…but just having conversations has been really nice: I'm talking to my parents and friends on the phone, going over the day with my coach, and meeting with my physical therapist. Being more open about how I'm feeling has been great for me, just so that everyone knows how they could support me best."

2. Lindsey Vonn

Ski alpin WM in AreMichael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images

Lindsey Vonn is a former ski racer. She shared her diet secrets in an interview with Women’s Health. Vonn says that in order to eat healthy, she sought help from a nutritionist. “If left to my own devices, I’d probably have mac and cheese and pasta and cereal. I need everything to be laid out for me, otherwise I divert quickly.”

3. Misty Copeland

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Misty Copeland is a ballerina who works with the American Ballet Theater. She opened up about her diet in her book, Ballerina Body. "Nuts have become my go-to snack. I keep a baggie or a small container of them in my purse and my locker at ABT's rehearsal studio because I've found that they satisfy my hunger and give me a quick spike of energy.”

4. Ronda Rousey

UFC 207 Nunes v RouseyGetty Images

Ronda Rousey is a very successful MMA fighter. She opened up about staying motivated to Train Magazine. “It's all about putting in the work and motivation. You have to stay motivated – force yourself to be motivated. To be the best for more than a day or a week, you have to be really driven to sustain that level and that’s difficult. Honestly, you have to make yourself get up and go train, even when you have every reason and excuse in the world not to. To reach your goals you’ve got to put in the hard work required to get there. That sounds simple, but it’s not. You have to be persistent and you have to keep that simple idea in mind at all times.”

5. Paige VanZant

BKFC presents KnuckleManiaAlex Menendez/Getty Images

Paige VanZant is an MMA fighter. She shared her workout secrets in an interview with Vogue. “Every day is different,” she says. “It depends on what day of the week it is. We have lots of classes, wrestling, jujitsu. I do a lot of Pilates, yoga, CrossFit as well. I also try to include one relaxing workout through the week like hiking.”

6. Simone Biles

Gymnastics - 2024 Core Hydration ClassicTim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

https://celebwell.com/wp-admin/Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts in history. She talked about living in the public eye with POPSugar. “Whenever I'm performing, or just on a daily basis, I try to block everything out. I also don't look at comments or anything just because I'm grateful and I love everything about myself, and I'm proud of who I am inside and out. That's definitely helped me not think about it."

7. Tia Blanco

Roxy Pro FranceDamien Poullenot/World Surf League via Getty Images

Tia Blanco is a successful surfer. She is open about being a vegan. Blanco talked about why she adopted this lifestyle to LiveKindly. “I think that surfing, health, and yoga all go hand in hand and help me to be the best person I can be mentally and physically. I definitely would say eating a plant-based diet benefits my practice as a yogi and a surfer because I always seem to have a lot of energy throughout my workouts.”

8. Stephanie Gilmore

Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro presented by GWMAndrew Shield/World Surf League via Getty Images

Stephanie Gilmore is one of the most successful female surfers of all time. She makes sure to do a variety of workouts. Gilmore shared her favorites in an interview with the Irish News. “Core strength is important, and the best way I’ve found to activate and develop that is Pilates. Upper-body strength is also important for paddling.”

9. Carissa Moore

SURFING-FRA-WSL-TAHITIJEROME BROUILLET / AFP via Getty Images

Carissa Moore is a surfer. She shared why she believes in a balanced diet with Red Bull. “I like the way that healthy food makes me feel. But I do like a nice muffin or some chocolate. It’s about moderation. My nutritionist has helped me find things that are light and also taste good. Growing up in Hawaii, food is such a beautiful social thing. It’s a big part of our culture to enjoy what you’re eating. It’s also a big part of traveling and experiencing a new place. On comp days, bananas, trail mix and GoMacro MacroBars—the banana and almond butter flavor is my favorite—are my go-to meals.”

10. Serena Williams

US Open Tennis Championship 2022Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Serena Williams is considered the greatest female tennis player of all time. She’s won the US Open six times. Williams opened up about her fitness routine in an interview with Vogue. “I do the cardio exercises on Tonal, which is really helpful for me just to get my body back and used to calisthenics. I don't necessarily want a trainer in my room or in the gym with me, so just having the Tonal trainers is a relief. It's just something different from what I've been doing for the past 20-plus years, and it's refreshing. But I definitely listen to my body. My favorite type of cardio is running, but my body has to be fit to be able to run or else my knees will hurt.”

11. Venus Williams

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2024 - Day 4Brennan Asplen/Getty Images

Venus Williams has won the US Open twice. She is a vegan, and shared her favorite meals with The Beet. “I'm not a big eater in the morning. I don't usually have a ton of time to make something because I'm rushing to practice or meetings. Sometimes I'll make a quick smoothie with fresh berries and a scoop of my Happy Viking protein powder, (probably the strawberry flavor, it's my favorite) and drink this on the go. If I'm craving something sweeter, I'll add two or three dates to the smoothie. I like to take it easy in the morning and don't want to feel rushed.”

12. Jamie Anderson

Dew Tour Copper Mountain 2020 - Day 4Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Jamie Anderson is a snowboarder. She loves to cook a lot of her own meals. Anderson shared her favorites in an interview with Us Weekly. “I make my own gee, I’ll do like a lot of golden milk in the evening,” she said. “You use like turmeric and ginger and gee with organic milk and it’s a really healing erratic Ayurvedic supplement. And yeah, I like all kinds of random food. I love cooking so when I’m home, I’m into like stir-fries, and like today I learned all different types of Korean recipes, so I’m actually stoked to go make some more delicious food.”

13. Tyler Wright

Lululemon Maui Pro - Women's WSL Championship Tour 2019Kelly Cestari/WSL via Getty Images

Tyler Wright is a professional surfer, and she wants to be an advocate for others. She talked about this to ESPN. “Surfing needs people who are going to get into boardrooms and have hard conversations. I'm asking for equality for women, equality for the LGBTQ+ community, equality for Black and brown and indigenous people. I honestly don't care about winning more world titles. But I know what gets me in the room."

14. Alana Blanchard

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal - WSL Championship Tour 2019Damien Poullenot/WSL via Getty Images

Alana Blanchard is a surfer. She shared her fitness routine in an interview with Grind TV. Blanchard likes to do a lot of different things to stay in shape. “I try to change it up as much as I can. It just depends on where I am. Sometimes even jumping rope and doing some lunges or doing a workout on the beach can be fun and hard."

15. Anna Gasser

FIS Freestyle Ski And Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup 2023 - Day ThreeLintao Zhang/Getty Images

Anna Gasser is a successful snowboarder. She trains with Clemens Millauer, and he talked about working with her to Red Bull. “Whenever we train together, Anna always knows before the start of the session exactly what she wants to work on,” says Millauer. “She can get really obsessive. Sometimes it might be just a tiny detail like finding the right tenth of a second for a grab. She won’t stop until she's nailed it.”

16. Julia Marino

JBL Peaks on PeaksJoe Scarnici/Getty Images

Julia Marino is a successful snowboarder. She shared with Outside Online that she loves to make fruit smoothies. “It’s not too heavy. When I’m done working out and pretty warm, I’m craving something light and colder that’s easily digestible.”

17. Rachel Atherton

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup - Day Two - Fort WilliamJane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images

Rachel Atherton is a mountain biker. She shared her typical diet in an interview with GQ. “When it comes to training, we don’t fix a rigid schedule for the week (eg do X on Monday etc) as the programme is so fluid (for example, good weather equals time on the bike). My trainer, Nick Grantham, gives me a menu – there are some non-negotiables but everything else is adaptable.”

18. Vicki Golden

HISTORY Airs 3-Hour Live Event “Evel Live 2Erik Voake/Getty Images

Vicki Golden is a motocross rider who has won medals in the X-Games. She shared her training routine in an interview with Women Fitness. “I normally start my day off with 30 min on a spin bike to get my body warmed up. After so many broken bones its tough to get moving in mornings. Haha. Hop off the bike and drink 16 – 24 ounces of celery juice. Then I normally have a few slices of avocado toast and some turkey sausage. Load up my dirt bike and have some fruit on my way to go ride.”

19. Julia Mancuso

Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Women's Super GMillo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images

Julia Mancuso is an alpine ski racer. She talked about what she loves about skiing in an interview with SELF. "I could beat most of the boys when I was 10 years old," she said. "It's just one of those sports you get into by having a good time. It's a fast sport, and it's really about making the smoothest turn, the fastest time out of the gate.”

20. Elena Hight

2017 Burton US OpenDaniel Milchev/Getty Images

Elena Hight is a very successful snowboarder. She shared how she trains for competitions in an interview with Strong Fitness Magazine. “I worked with a trainer and took up running for endurance. It definitely helped me become stronger than I had ever been, and taught me how much health and conditioning can make a difference in your performance.”

Fitness

Racer Bianca Bustamante Shows Off Her Strength

Racecar driver Bianca Bustamante shares her top lifestyle tips for diet, fitness, and self-care in 2025.

Bianca Bustamante
Pauline Ballet - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Bianca Bustamante is revving up her engine in 2025 – in her workout gear. In a new social media post, the racecar driver reveals she is taking “the next major step” in her physical journey as a race driver “and I’ve set the target high!” she says in a new Instagram post, filled with video clips of herself lifting heavy weights at the gym. “Never been more motivated in my life, it’s not physically easy for a girl in this sport, but I’m super excited to take on this new challenge and the next big step on my racing journey,” she added. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here are her top lifestyle tips.

Lifting Weights

Bianca spends hours at the gym where she focuses on strength training along with endurance, cardio, reaction time, and reflexes. “You know, to be a driver, it’s a complete package. It takes strength. It takes mental fortitude. It takes reflexes, smart thinking, and survival skills,” she told MEGA Active. “Sometimes it's for the body, sometimes it's for the mind. Nothing more peaceful than early sessions,” she captioned an Instagram post of one of her sessions.

Double Down On Training

Bianca Bustamante at the gym.

Bianca Bustamante/Instagram

In her recent post, Bianca reveals that she working extra hard at the gym. “I’ve been working hard over the years to build a solid foundation, but in 2025, I’ll be working with @j_w_90 and I’m doubling down on my training. Increasing to two workouts a day not just on lifts but aerobic endurance, as well as a better focus on nutrition and rest, in order to raise the bar to compete in the higher formulas,” she said.

Fueling Your Body With Protein

Bianca makes sure to eat enough protein in order to build more muscle and stay as lean as possible to meet the weight requirement. “It’s been a really cool journey seeing my body develop and transform into this whole different person I never knew I could become,” she said. In her new post she added that she is meal prepping. “I’m soooo all in that im even learning how to cook & meal prep better than ever before,” she writes.

Taking Cold Plunges

As for recovery, cold plunging is part of Bianca’s training regime. Limited research supports the benefits of cold plunges, which may include easing sore muscles, bringing body temperature down, increasing focus, improving sleep, and decreasing inflammation, per the Cleveland Clinic. However, a 2021 study found that cold water immersion therapy promotes post-sport recovery.

Working On Self-Esteem

Positive self-talk is also important. “Of course, I put a lot of pressure on myself, but in the end, I always tell myself that as long as I give my best and I learn from it, any mistake I make is valid,” Bianca explained. “I always try to repeat that to myself that I am valid. I’m here for a reason and there’s nothing I would rather do than be here.”

Celeb News

Brenda Perlaza Shows Off Incredible Figure Going "Viral"

Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

Brenda Perlaza on the beach
Brenda Perlaza/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Brenda Perlaza is flaunting her fantastic figure in a tiny bikini. In a new social media post the influencer, who calls herself La Barbie Negra, looks flawless as she poses on the beach in a neon yellow swimsuit. “#viral,” she captioned the series of Instagram snaps. “Wow Wow,” one of her followers commented, while several others added fire emojis. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

Jogging

Brenda enjoys jogging. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say.

Walking Her Dog

She also takes her dog on long walks. Going for a daily walk can be a game changer, especially at a brisk speed. One study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that walking at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes a day reduced the risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia, and death, compared with walking a similar number of steps but at a slower pace.

Dancing

You can also find Brenda dancing to burn calories. Dancing is an excellent workout for many reasons. It builds strength and promotes flexibility, helps you lose weight, and even promotes cardiovascular function. A 2016 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine determined that people who engaged in moderate-intensity dancing were 46 percent less likely to develop or die from heart disease than non-dancers. In comparison, moderate-intensity walkers were just 25 percent less likely to suffer heart health issues

Swimming

Brenda spends a lot of time in her swimsuit so it isn’t surprising she loves to swim. According to the CDC, swimming is a good way to get regular aerobic physical activity. Just two and a half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling, or running, can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. In addition to the many physical benefits, multiple studies support the mental health benefits of swimming.

Hydration

Finally, Brenda hydrates, especially after a long workout or sun exposure. According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is essential for various reasons. Water helps eliminate waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature regular, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.

Claudia Romani
Claudia Romani/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Model and influencer Claudia Romani isn’t just making waves with her glamorous beachside posts—she’s living the healthy lifestyle to match. Recently, Romani shared a video on Instagram, taking a refreshing dip in the pool with the caption, “Kisses from the 305.” But her fitness routine goes beyond just swimming. From her plant-based diet to her dedication to animal welfare, Romani’s habits reflect a balanced approach to wellness that keeps her looking and feeling her best. Here are the five key ways Claudia Romani stays in shape while living life to the fullest.

She Swims

As you can see from her Instagram post, Romani likes to go to the beach. Naturally, she likes to swim to keep herself in shape. Romani shared this video on Instagram of herself taking a dip in a pool. She captioned it, “Kisses from the 305.” According to The Cleveland Clinic, swimming has a lot of health benefits. “Like other forms of cardio, swimming can help you burn calories and lose weight. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 154-pound person who swims slow freestyle laps for 30 minutes burns 255 calories. But that amount varies depending on your weight, speed and stroke.”

She's Vegan

Vegan food, vegan bacon, vegan cheese, vegan chocolate pudding

Claudia Romani/Instagram

Romani is open about following a vegan diet. She shares a lot of posts on her Instagram story highlights of herself enjoying vegan foods. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine states that being vegan has a lot of health benefits. “Overall, nutrition from plant-based diets is typically of higher quality than omnivorous diets, as assessed by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI).28 A whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet is one made up of predominantly unprocessed fruits, vegetables, whole grains legumes, nuts and seeds, and excludes animal foods, with certain selective supplementation of vitamins B12. Sometimes D. Intentionally planned, WFPB diets provide sufficient nutrient intakes for all stages of life and can be therapeutic for chronic disease and overall health and healing.29 The plant-based dietary pattern protects against overconsumption of nutrients that lead to obesity and disease,30 particularly animal protein, saturated fat,31 trans-fats, cholesterol simple sugars,32 and sodium.33, 34”

She Loves Salads

Vegan Cobb Salad

Claudia Romani/Instagram

A vegan food that Romani enjoys is salad. She shared this Instagram story of herself enjoying a vegan cobb salad. Bupa states that salad is very beneficial. “Salads can contain several foods which are prebiotics. These are foods which act as fuel for healthy bacteria. It also provides a type of indigestible fibre, which can be beneficial for your gut health. Foods to consider including in your salad can be onions, garlic, kale, carrots, and asparagus.”

She Works Out Consistently

Photo of a Crunch Fitness

Claudia Romani/Instagram

Romani makes sure to work out on a regular basis. She shares a lot of Instagram stories in her highlights of herself at the gym. The Mayo Clinic says that regular exercise is extremely important. “Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help you keep off lost weight. When you take part in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. Regular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time to exercise every day. Any amount of activity is better than none. To gain the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your day. For example, take the

She Supports Animals

Romani has her own charity, Help Miami Cats. She talked about how she started this in the caption of this Instagram post. “❤️ Guys!!!! I have always loved cats and had many growing up. When I moved to Miami Beach I met a great calico named Chacha and learnt that cats were brought to the city by Mayor Lummus … against rodents. Cats rely on volunteers for their food and water and there’s a huge amount of them. There’s a city program to Spay and neuter with the wonderful @sobecats ladies and the feeding is made official by a City Sanctioned badge, yet new cats keep getting dumped daily sadly and there’s a never ending amount of work, emergencies and so on. I was on a feeding rotation but during the pandemic I was left alone caring for so many as people left town or couldn’t afford feeding anymore …I decided to start my own non profit @helpmiamicats . We feed close to 200 and when Batman got paralyzed took him and other special needs cats under my care … @stevensachs69 with the cat room and the amazing people involved devote their lives to these special souls … My life has changed a lot too … way less spare time, way more sweat and tears and lost the person I had by my side who had sadly other priorities … yet gained so much love from these lovely creatures !!! If you can please get involved in any way … follow @helpmiamicats , share, volunteer, adopt … donate … Only together we can make their world a better place !!! And yes … just me feeding the kitties and talking to them … 🤷🏻♀️👀😆❤️🙌”