Evina Westbrook in Workout Gear Goes on the "Journey"

Evina Westbrook is a professional basketball player who played for UCONN and Tennessee in college. She has also played for the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, and Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. In April, Westbrook shared the workouts she was doing to recover from an injury on Instagram. She captioned the post, “The journey.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Evina Westbrook stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Plays Basketball

Basketball is the main way Westbrook stays in shape. Fitness Advisory reports, “Basketball requires you to jump while playing, as well as running back and forth multiple times. In a basketball game, you rely on your body positioning and the ability to maintain that position when an opponent is pushing against you. This is why playing basketball can strengthen all parts of your body, especially your core muscles, neck, lower back, and arms.”

2. She Does Wall Sits

Evina Westbrook/Instagram

The wall-sits Westbrook is seen doing in her Instagram video have a lot of benefits. NASM reports, “Wall sits increase muscular endurance and joint stabilization in a squat position. They work the quads (no question there), the glutes, the calves, and the core (especially as you focus on good posture in this position!). Better muscular endurance in squats translates over into less quad fatigue when performing activities that require extended use of the quads like skiing, sports requiring an athletic stance, or even hiking and biking.”

3. She Does Squats

Evina Westbrook/Instagram

Westbrook is seen doing squats, and these have a lot of health benefits. Piedmont states, “Squats are a compound, multi-joint movement, which means they exercise several muscle groups. When you perform a squat, you work your calves, quads, hamstrings, glutes, core and part of your back. A squat has more overall benefits than, say, a bicep curl, which strengthens an isolated area.”

4. She Uses A Stationary Bike

Evina Westbrook/Instagram

In her Instagram video, Westbrook is seen using a stationary bike. Penn State PRO Wellness states that this is a great way to stay fit. “Riding a stationary exercise bike is an efficient and effective way to burn calories and body fat while strengthening your heart, lungs, and muscles. Compared to some other types of cardio equipment, a stationary bicycle puts less stress on your joints, but it still provides an excellent aerobic workout.”

5. She Strength Trains

Westbrook likes to strength train. The Mayo Clinic states that this has a lot of health benefits. “Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury. Building muscle also can contribute to better balance and may reduce your risk of falls. This can help you maintain independence as you age.”

WNBA star Erica Wheeler is showing off her spectacular boxing skills on social media (just add it to the list of things she excels at). Wheeler, 32, posted a video of herself wearing black Adidas workout gear and sparring with coach Vinnie Calautti, joking “I will knock you out” before conceding defeat over her “noodle arms”. The Indiana Fever star has worked hard her whole life to play professional ball—here’s what her game philosophy looks like.

1. Basketball Drills

Basketball shooting drills keep Wheeler sharp and ready for action. “You have to train your mind,” she told Adidas. “And how do you train your mind? Consistently doing something the same way and doing it harder and harder and getting better and better. With time you become more talented because you become more consistent. I think with practice comes muscle memory. My body knows what it's going to do before I even tell it to do it, because I've been doing it so long.”

2. Lifting Heavy Weights

Wheeler lifts heavy weights as part of her training—and she’s thrilled with every step of progress she makes. “I’ve never lifted anything over 200 lb!” she captioned an Instagram video. “Last week I hit 250 lb, I was hype bout that! Then somebody said I couldn’t hit 300 lb! NOTED! Today I got up to 315 lb 😳 I probably could’ve went to 325 but my trainer crazy, but he wasn’t on demon time today 😂.”

3. Family First

Erica Wheeler/Instagram

Wheeler had offers from colleges such as LSU, South Carolina, and UConn, but chose Rutgers University after meeting their head coach C. Vivian Stringer. “The conversation was super family-orientated because we just started talking about food, it wasn’t even about basketball,” Wheeler told WSLAM. “I think the one thing that stuck out to my mom was I never left home, so she felt more comfortable with me going to Rutgers because of how Vivian approached our family.”

4. Popular Player

Wheeler’s teammates at the Indiana Fever love her energy and work ethic. “She’s been so great,” says Fever head coach Stephanie White. “She’s fun. She’s a hard worker. She’s a great teammate and she’s really the perfect fit for our franchise because of her commitment to the defensive end, her toughness and her energy. That’s exactly what we want; hungry players who want to be better for each other.”

5. Open Mind

Wheeler keeps an open mind when it comes to sports. “I don't close my mind to anything,” she told Adidas. “When it comes to basketball, you can elevate your game in so many ways, whether it's dribbling, whether it's how to read the game, whether it's a simple drill to tighten up your handling... Always give a pat on the back, because at the end of the day nobody's a real loser if you're going hard. You got to take some losses, but if you’re competing and you're doing it at the highest level you can, you're not losing. You're just getting better.”

Michelle Wie West is a professional golfer, an icon of the sport. She won the US Women’s Open in 2014. Wie West met up with Amanda Balionis to do an Instagram tour of the Golden Bear Pro-Am at the Memorial Tournament. Workday Sports shared the video, and captioned the post, “There was no shortage of laughs, shanks, lost balls or milkshakes!” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Michelle Wie West stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Loves Poke Bowls

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Wie West makes sure to eat healthy. In her Instagram post, she is seen eating a poke bowl with greens, rice, tomatoes, and tuna. Sweetfin states, “Poke bowls are celebrated for their high nutritional value, providing a well-rounded meal that satisfies various dietary needs. At their core, poke bowls consist of lean protein from fish like tuna or salmon, which are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart health and cognitive function. The inclusion of fresh vegetables adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, enhancing the meal's overall nutritional profile. With the right balance of ingredients, a poke bowl can be a powerful addition to a healthy diet.”

2. She’s Efficient

Wie West tells SELF that she makes sure to be efficient with her workouts. “Becoming a mom has wreaked havoc on my training schedule, but in such a beneficial way,” she says. “It’s forced me to be much more efficient and focused so I can do just as much in less time. That’s the great thing about being engaged with your training, including with core work: As long as you’re present, it doesn’t take much time to make a difference.”

3. She Does Pilates

Wie West revealed in the caption of this Instagram post that she is doing a lot more Pilates. “If I had one regret in my training journey, it’s that I wish I incorporated more Pilates. I feel so much stronger, centered, and balanced every time I get off my @flexiapilates reformer. So don’t make the same mistake I did and incorporate some Pilates in your fitness regimen!”

4. She Hikes

Wie West loves to go on hikes. She and her husband went on a trip to Kauai, and shared these highlights on Instagram. In them, Wie West and her husband are seen hiking by a waterfall. Piedmont states that hiking has a lot of benefits. “When you’re dressed for success, hiking is a great total-body workout,” says Michael Bednarz, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatric surgeon at Piedmont. “It strengthens the large muscles in your body, while stimulating the feel-good chemical hormones of adrenaline and endorphins that boost your mood and energy levels.”

5. She Does Core Workouts

Wie West shared some of her workout secrets with SELF. She says that she makes sure to do core workouts. “Having a strong core is the only way to protect your spine and have a solid foundation for movement,” Wie West says. “If you want longevity in golf, and especially if you want to keep yourself safe, you’ll need to work your core very strategically. When I was younger, it was all about crunches, because I thought that was the only way to build your abs. Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser, I know I don’t have to do them, especially when there are options I find more effective.”

Jordynne Grace is a wrestler and bodybuilder. She is known for her work with WWE’S NXT. Grace and her fellow wrestler, Ivy Nile, recently met up for a workout session. They shared an Instagram collaboration of their workout. Nile captioned the post, “Gettin’ big with @jordynnegrace.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Jordynne Grace stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Lets The Negativity Fuel Her

Grace opened up about dealing with negative comments to Sports Illustrated. She says she uses them as motivation. “I’ve gotten relentless hate about the way I look on social media. I’ve heard I was too big or that I was too short—now I hear that I’m too muscular and I look like a man. I am here to prove that you can do whatever you want to, especially if you use those negative comments as fuel.”

2. She Uses A Stationary Bike

Jordynne Grace/Instagram

Grace and Nile use stationary bikes in their video. Penn State PRO Wellness states that using a stationary bike has a lot of benefits. “Riding a stationary exercise bike is an efficient and effective way to burn calories and body fat while strengthening your heart, lungs, and muscles. Compared to some other types of cardio equipment, a stationary bicycle puts less stress on your joints, but it still provides an excellent aerobic workout.”

3. She Does Burpees

Jordynne Grace/Instagram

Grace and Nile do burpees in their Instagram post. A Healthier Michigan states that burpees have a lot of benefits. “A burpee is an easy exercise and can be done in almost any location because it involves no workout equipment and only requires a small amount of space. Burpees workout your entire body and are great for building strength and burning calories. Burpees can be added to almost any workout and are also great for conditioning.”

4. She Does Core Workouts

Jordynne Grace/Instagram

Grace and Nile make sure to work their core in their Instagram post. They are seen doing things like sit-ups and toe touches. The Mayo Clinic states that core workouts are important. “Your core is the central part of your body. It includes your pelvis, lower back, hips and stomach. The stomach muscles sometimes are called abs. Core exercises train the muscles in your core to work in harmony. This leads to better balance and steadiness, also called stability. Stability is important whether you're on the playing field or doing regular activities. In fact, most sports and other physical activities depend on stable core muscles.”

5. She Strength Trains

In her Instagram video, Grace and Nile are seen using kettlebells and doing lateral pulldowns. Strength training has a lot of benefits. The Mayo Clinic states, “Strength training can help you manage or lose weight, and it can increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories. Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury."

WNBA legend Sylvia Fowles may be retired from the WNBA, but her training and fitness routine continues to be intense and inspiring. Fowles, 38, shared pictures of herself wearing shorts and a white crop top, posing on her bike. “Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one. -Bobby Knight,” she captioned the post. “Yes yes yes!!!!! 🔥❤️🔥 all that strength and range!” a fan commented. Fowles’ reputation as an incredible athlete is well-deserved—here’s what she does to stay strong, fit, and ready for the next chapter.

1. Low-Impact Workouts

Fowles says it took her 14 years to start feeling aches and pains that made her change the way she worked out. “It took me two years to put on 10 pounds…I have a hard time gaining weight,” she told Nike.com. “But last year when I got hurt, it was a wake-up call that I was bottom heavy. My legs already carry a lot of weight, and so adding those 10 pounds was not good on my joints. And so from last year to this year, there are things that I do differently. Pilates has helped me a lot. I really don’t eat all that healthily, but I do watch what I eat. Biking has helped a lot too — anything that takes weight off my joints is pretty much a success for me.”

2. Happy Exercises

Fowles works out daily not just to stay in shape, but to feel happy. "Just try to work out daily if you can, even if it's just for like 30 minutes,” she told Oprah.com. “Just get it in. A good workout makes me feel good, and when I sweat, it makes me feel like I did a lot, that I accomplished a lot."

3. New Talent

Fowles is thrilled about the new generation of female players upping their game quite literally. “I think we’re now getting a whiff of what the WNBA can look like a couple years from now, just like what Phee said with the talent level coming out of high school, but also the quickness,” she told Nike.com. “They’re jumping higher, they’re moving faster. It was only me and Candace [Parker] dunking when we were in high school. But within the next five years in the W, we’re definitely going to have a lot more girls dunking. It’s impressive! Napheesa [Collier] asks me to dunk every game. First of all, it takes too much out of me. I got three people hanging from me, and I don’t have the energy to even jump sometimes.”

4. Basketball Shape

Fowles retired from the WNBA in 2022 after listening to warning signs from her body. “Being in shape is one thing, but being in basketball shape is something totally different,” she told CBS News. “I got to that point when workouts were just getting harder and harder, and you take into consideration how many times I've been hurt over the last couple of years, too. I just don't think physically I want to do it to my body anymore. That's how I knew."

5. Bike Riding

Fowles loves to ride her bike as a way to clear her head. “Mentally, it’s my way of debriefing,” she told Sports Illustrated. “It’s another form of therapy. I get to ride and relax. I get to reflect on my day, reflect on the conversations that I’ve had throughout my day and certain situations I didn’t handle well.”