Gabrielle Union in Bathing Suit Wears "Headwraps"

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

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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 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 is spending the holidays at the beach with her husband, NBA legend Dwayne Wade, and their kids. Union has been posting several stunning photos of herself at the beach, including her most recent Instagram story. In the photo, Union posed on the shore in a bright pink bathing suit, showing off her body in a V i X PaulaHermanny Brasil swimsuit. 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 Plays Basketball With Her Family

Gabrielle Union/Instagram

Turns out, Dwayne Wade isn’t the only baller in the family. Union tells Us Weekly that she loves to play basketball with her family. “We have a basketball court at our house, so we have shooting contests and a game of 21,” she says.

2. She Doesn’t Drink Sugary Drinks

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Union says to Us Weekly that she cut out a lot of beverages in her diet. “Eliminating all sugary drinks,” she revealed. “Sodas, those coffee drinks. Those coffee drinks are pretty much what you're supposed to eat all day in one Frappuccino.”

3. She Drinks A Lot Of Water

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Union tells Us Weekly that she substitutes all those sugar filled drinks with water. “I do a gallon of water a day,” she says. “It keeps things moving, and it’s really, really helpful.”

4. She Believes In Balance

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Union doesn’t like to deprive herself of her favorite foods and believes in a balanced diet. “Just balance,” she says to Us Weekly. “You can’t do it every meal, don’t deprive yourself. If you want the donut, have the donut.”

5. She Eats The Rainbow

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Union tells Us Weekly that she makes sure that her plates are always colorful. “I try to make it like a rainbow,” she says. “Sweet potatoes or yams, or yellow peppers, just to try to make your plate as colorful as possible.”

Gabrielle Union is a 49-year-old mom but is determined to let everyone know that doesn't mean she can't be fit and fabulous. Her social media account is full of swimsuit photos and videos. She just shared a new video this week. In it, she walked out of the pool wearing a gray-blue bathing suit. Union captioned the video, “Stiffler’s Mom, Kaav’s Mom, who knows the difference,” referencing the sultry mom in American Pie (actually spelled Stifler's Mom). 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 Protects Her Skin From The Sun

Union has amazons skin, and she makes sure to take care of it. She revealed some of her skincare secrets to Essence. She says that a big secret of hers is protecting her skin from the sun. “A lot of women of color do not think that we are at risk. We believe that our melanin is built-in protection and we are good to go from birth. That’s not the case. Our moles can change shape and be cancerous as well. We have to stay on top of our sun protection. We burn as well. Everyone says, ‘Black people don’t burn,’ but yes, we burn as well, so do Latinas, Asians and everyone else. No one is exempt from sun damage. If I have to be worried about it, everyone needs to be worried about it.”

2. She Uses Different Products

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Union’s skincare routine involves a lot of different products. She revealed some of her favorites to Essence. “I have all of my cleansers in my shower but it really depends on what I feel like using that day. If I want an extra boost, I use the Neutrogena Oil Free Pink Grapefruit Scrub because it’s so pungent. If I wake up with a huge blemish on my face, I’ve got to attack it so I might use an acne-specific cleanser. When I take off my makeup I love the Pink Grapefruit cleanser because when I’m working, they really pack on the makeup, so I have to use a deep cleanser. I always use the Clear Poer Toner after I cleanse just to make sure I’ve removed all the makeup.”

3. She Drinks A Lot Of Water

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Union tells Essence that one of her biggest wellness secrets is drinking a lot of water. “I try to drink a gallon of water a day and it’s made a huge difference in my hair, skin and nails. I generally don’t have major skin flare-ups because I’m so hydrated. Substitute soda, juice, and any sort of sugary drink out of your diet.”

4. She Takes Baths

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Union revealed her nighttime routine to SELF. She says that she has started to take more baths as a way to wind down. “I've never taken more baths in my life than I have during this pandemic. One of the things that has just brought me a lot of joy is that Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak. It's a non-negotiable.”

5. She Goes To Therapy

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Union tells SELF that she loves to go to therapy with her family. “Whether that's me, or my husband, or Zaya, or my little sister, or all of us, we carve out time for therapy every week,” Union says. “Don't miss it. In some cases like me, a couple of weeks ago, I did four hours of therapy. I was overwhelmed and I had to just say, Cancel stuff. I don't feel like I can think, my brain is mush, and I feel overwhelmed, and I need to draw a different boundary this week. And I just upped my therapy.”

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.