Gabrielle Union in Bathing Suit Has "Sunday Funday"

Gabrielle Union ended the weekend on a high note! The actress enjoyed “Sunday Funday” out by the pool, flaunting her fabulously fit figure in a blue swimsuit. “WERK HENNY!!!” commented Taraji P. Henson, adding some fire emojis, while Choe Bailey stated the obvious, “Gorgeous.” How does the 49-year-old keep herself in such great physical form? Read on to see 6 ways Gabrielle Union-Wade stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bikini Photos!

1. She Eats Healthy

Gabrielle eats healthy, for the most part. “No gluten, no dairy. Except when I eat gluten and dairy," she jokingly captioned a recent image on Instagram. She previously told Women's Health that she occasionally indulges in “eating what... I want and not thinking about it.” "A gluten-free diet is essential for managing signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten," says the Mayo Clinic. "A gluten-free diet is also popular among people who haven't been diagnosed with a gluten-related medical condition. The claimed benefits of the diet are improved health, weight loss and increased energy, but more research is needed."

2. She Abides by the Workout Buddy System

The family that trains together, stays together. You can often find the Union-Wade crew working out together. “Training together, struggling, failing, trying to get better—it’s been a cool thing that doesn’t feel like, ‘Let’s go talk about our feelings.’ It’s like, I’m a cool mom!” Gabrielle told Women’s Health. “Grind together, shine together,” she captioned an image of herself working out with her husband, NBA star Dwyane Wade.

3. Her Workouts Are Short But Efficient

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Gabrielle detailed her daily workout to Women’s Health. She starts with 15 to 20 minutes of cardio then moves on to strength training and Pilates. “A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control, and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and balanced flexibility and strength. It can also be helpful in training for sports or in physical rehabilitation,” says the Mayo Clinic.

4. She Is a Morning (Workout) Person

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Gabrielle likes to get her workout in first thing in the AM. “You know how you swing your legs off to the side of the bed?” she asks. “That’s when you really think about life’s decisions: How much would it cost if I cancel? What does traffic look like? Should I go back to sleep?” So, she drinks a coffee and hits the gym. “I don’t leave people hanging.”

5. Her Lifestyle Is Active

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When she isn’t working or in the gym, Gabrielle heads outside for some activity. “I need sun. I need vitamin D on my face," she explained to Women’s Health. "Give me a trail, a park, a walk down the street with the dogs, a breeze, rain. I’ll go hike. I’ll get a lawn chair and sit outside my trailer so I’m not trapped inside.”

6. She Hydrates

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According to Gabrielle, she drinks a gallon of water per day and has been doing so since her mid-thirties. “It's made a tremendous difference with my hair, skin, and nails. Everyone is always like, 'What did you do differently than everyone else? Why are you aging so slow?' It's something that everyone has access to and it not only helps with your beauty, it also helps with your fitness and digestion,” she told Elle. She added that she downs half her water by noon, “casually” drinking the other half until 6:00 pm. And, during her workouts “a good 32 ounces” helps keep her fueled up. “Just try and do as much as you can early,” she suggests.

Gabrielle Union is 49 and in the best shape of her life. The actress is enjoying the summer sun with husband Dwayne Wade, relaxing on a boat in an orange bikini. “It’s begun. 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🛥🛥🛥#WadeWorldTour2022,” she captioned an Instagram post. In another, added the caption: "All Me. All 🖤🖤 #WadeWorldTour2022 🇪🇸🇪🇸." How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 6 ways Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Loves Her “Oily” Skin

Union looks incredibly youthful, and credits not smoking and her “oily” skin with her looks. "I get asked all the time how I look so young,” she tells Women’s Health. “I don't like needles. I'm not going to rule out Botox, but the idea of putting a needle in my face... I'm not there yet. I have pretty oily skin, I drink a lot of water, I don't smoke, and I don't have a hard life. Of course, as I've aged, everything on my body hurts! My hips, back, shoulders—lots of aches and pains. I dye my hair and people say, 'You look young,' but my gray hairs are saying, 'She's old as f—!'"

2. She Works Out For Health

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 03: Gabrielle Union is seen in the Upper East Side on May 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Union understands that exercise is more about health and longevity as it is about looking good. "I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death,” she says. “I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be big mama in a rocking chair in the TV room, or huffing and puffing just going up stairs. I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!"

3. She Sets Boundaries

MILAN, ITALY - JUNE 19: Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union attend Prada Spring/Summer 2023 Menswear Fashion Show on June 19, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Prada)

Union keeps stress at bay by setting and maintaining boundaries. "My best anti-aging tip is the ability to say no, no, and hell, no,” she says. “We run ourselves ragged saying yes to every freaking thing, whether it's to our family, spouses, or careers. I sleep eight hours a day and don't let myself stress out. A lot of people call it selfish, but I don't have any wrinkles." “Why is it important to have boundaries? It’s important because healthy personal boundaries help maintain a positive self-concept,” says Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. “It’s important because I can take better care of myself and not allow other people to define who I am.”

4. She Loves Pilates

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: (Exclusive Coverage) Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union arrive at The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Union is a big fan of Pilates workouts, especially on the reformer machine. "I'm not a morning person, but I have to work out early because of my schedule,” she says. “The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It's for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I'm also more clear."

5. She Focuses On Her Arms

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: (Exclusive Coverage) Gabrielle Union attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

Union doesn’t skip arm workouts, and it shows. "I love my arms because it's where I get fast results. At my age, if I don't work out for two weeks, it's like I've never done anything, ever. But my arms come back quickly. I try to maintain my moneymakers," she says. "A strong upper body is essential for anything from good posture and daily activities like putting the groceries away, to injury prevention and more," says Allen Conrad, DC, CSCS, the owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, Pennsylvania.

6. She Knows When To Relax

Union works hard but she knows when to relax. “What good is it to be emaciated if your stomach’s always growling?” she says. “That sucks. Have a burger!” Union also keeps her workouts fun. “We have a basketball court at our house, so we have shooting contests and a game of 21. And the boys were into those hoverboard scooter things, so I jog alongside them with the dogs.”

Actress Gabrielle Union decided to give us all a little motivation for Monday. Union posted a new photo on Instagram with the caption “Runnin’ into this week like… Let’s get it!” The photo shows Union running on the beach in a yellow and white strapless bathing suit, showing off her incredible body that hasn’t changed all that much since the beginning of her career. Read on to see 5 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Gets Her Beauty Sleep

Union has been praised for not aging and looking the exact same since starring in Bring It On 21 years ago. Union’s secret? She takes the term “beauty sleep” literally. “My best anti-aging tip is the ability to say no, no, and hell, no,” she said to Women’s Health magazine. “We run ourselves ragged saying yes to every freaking thing, whether it’s to our family, spouses, or careers. I sleep eight hours a day and don’t let myself stress out. A lot of people call it selfish, but I don’t have any wrinkles.”

2. She Does Activities With Her Kids

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Union has three step-sons and one daughter, and she likes to do activities with them. “We have a basketball court at our house, so we have shooting contests and a game of 21,” she tells UsWeekly. “And the boys were into those hoverboard scooter things, so I jog alongside them with the dogs.”

3. She Isn’t Afraid To Treat Herself

Union tells UsWeekly that she eats a pretty healthy diet filled with lean protein and vegetables. However, Union also says that she treats herself once in a while, and tries to stay away from extreme dieting. She says, “What good is it to be emaciated if your stomach’s always growling? That sucks. Have a burger!”

4. She Subs Most Drinks With Water

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Union makes sure to stay hydrated and drinks a lot of water each day. She also has methods to make sure she’s drinking a lot of water. “It’s just important to get the water in,” Union told Fitness. "If you can replace sugary drinks or coffee with water you’re still ahead of the game.”

5. She Uses A Heart Monitor

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Union tells Us Weekly that whenever works out, especially when she’s doing cardio, she uses a heart monitor to track her heart rate. She says this helps her know when she's more likely to burn fat, and if anything’s going on. “Keep your heart rate in your fat-burning zone,” she advises. “For me, it’s between 120 to 160.”

Calling Gabrielle Union gorgeous would be an understatement. She has been praised by fans for seemingly not aging since her role in the 2000 film, Bring It On. Union is not afraid to show off her body on social media, or post a swimsuit picture or two. She just shared a stunning new duo of photos on Instagram. In it, Union sat by the pool in a pink floral bathing suit and headwrap. Naturally, she captioned the post, “Headwraps and bikinis.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She’s Motivated By Her Family

Union broke down her wellness secrets in an interview with Women’s Health. She revealed that her family is a big motivating factor for her to stay in shape. “I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be big mama in a rocking chair in the TV room, or huffing and puffing just going up stairs. I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!"

2. She’s Conscious Of Her Genetics

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Health is a genetic thing, and Union is certainly aware of it. She tells Women’s Health that a lot of her family members have health problems, like high blood pressure. Union says that she wants to do things to prevent this. "I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death.”

3. She Does Pilates In The Morning

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Union’s busy schedule means that she doesn’t always have time to workout. She tells Women’s Health that the mornings are one of the only times that she can exercise. However, Union also admits that this can be difficult, so she has to do exercises that are easier on her body. Union cites Pilates as the perfect morning workout for her. “The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It's for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I'm also more clear.”

4. She Spends Time Outside

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

One of Union’s favorite ways to workout is by doing things outside. She tells Women’s Health that she makes time to go outside each day. "Give me a trail, a park, a walk down the street with the dogs, a breeze, rain. I’ll go hike. I’ll get a lawn chair and sit outside my trailer so I’m not trapped inside.”

5. She Practices Meditation

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Union shared her nighttime routine to SELF. She revealed that she likes to practice meditation before she goes to sleep. “Just give yourself that time to center yourself. For me, instead of looking at social media, because obviously I need my phone to get my guided meditation, I just go straight to my guided meditation—in the bathroom—and just have that time. Before you check and see that the murder hornets are making their way to your hometown, give yourself that space.”

Gabrielle Union knows how to do TV night right. “Mentally I'm here. Physically my” behind “is still in my pj's on the couch binge watching @queensabc smashing Kaav's @bitsys,” she captioned a photo of herself in a bathing suit and coverup. She was referencing the ABC series Queens and Bitsy’s, her food brand. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Gabrielle Union stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Worked With A Nutritionist

While attempting to go through IVF, Union revealed that the procedures really took a toll on her body. "My face looked like the surface of the moon, small chunks of hair were falling out," she told Women's Health. "At 9 a.m. I had a flat stomach. By noon I looked like I was five months pregnant." Union then decided to work with nutritionist, Alisa Vitti, to help her out. "She said, 'Cut out gluten, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine and see if the swelling alleviates and it helps with your skin and hair,'" says Union.

2. She Works Out In The Mornings

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Union told Women’s Health that she likes to do her workouts first thing in the morning. “You know how you swing your legs off to the side of the bed?” she said. “That’s when you really think about life’s decisions: ‘How much would it cost if I cancel? What does traffic look like? Should I go back to sleep?’”

3. She Listens To Inspirational Podcasts

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One of the ways Union stays inspired is by listening to podcasts. She tells Women’s Health that one of her favorites is Affirmation Pod by Josie Ong. “I’ll listen to these while I’m brushing my teeth or getting a facial,” Union says. “She always drops some nuggets.”

4. She Gets Outside

Union is a big fan of going outside, and she posts a lot of photos of herself enjoying the great outdoors on Instagram. “I need sun. I need vitamin D on my face,” she told Women’s Health. "Give me a trail, a park, a walk down the street with the dogs, a breeze, rain. I’ll go hike. I’ll get a lawn chair and sit outside my trailer so I’m not trapped inside.”

5. She Strength Trains

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Union is a big fan of strength training and lifting weights. She has posted videos of herself using weights and doing strength exercises on Instagram.