Emily Hayden is all about fitness, fun, and finding balance. In her latest social media post, the fitness influencer flaunts her incredible physique in a two-piece workout set while reenacting a scene from Mean Girls in a playful workout video. "Getting to reenact a scene from Mean Girls might’ve been a career highlight for me," she writes. But Emily’s fitness routine isn’t all about fun and games—she also takes her health and wellness seriously. From practicing jiu jitsu to strength training, yoga, and focusing on inner work through reading, Emily emphasizes the importance of both physical and mental well-being. Her holistic approach to fitness helps her stay in peak shape while maintaining harmony in her life. Here’s a deeper look into her workout routines, self-care habits, and how she stays physically and mentally balanced year-round.
1. Jiu Jitsu
In the video, Emily shows off her martial arts skills. “If you’re intimidated to try your first jiu jitsu class, it might be because of all of the preconceived ideas in your head about what it is. A typical session looks like: warm up drills, piece by piece instruction & slow partner drilling of the technique, putting it all together for drilling with resistance / situational training, and some live roll action to put it all together. Training partners typically take care of each other (if they don’t go to a different gym, energy is everything so feel out the vibe of the gym), you can always communicate what you are & are not available for, and the magical “tap” will stop any movement at any time, no questions asked. Training jiu jitsu brings me sooo much happiness and I never plan to compete. It’s literally just because I love to train & learn. It’s so much fun, the community is amazing, and it keeps your brain sharp (it literally teaches your brain how to think through challenges/ roadblocks all while under pressure). I could go on,” she wrote in the caption.
2. Doing Inner and Outer Work
In one of her posts, Emily reminded her followers that “you can be in the best shape of your life and yet internally reside in turmoil,” underscoring the importance of mental health. “Being in great shape does not automatically equate to being in great shape mentally/emotionally/relationally/ & spiritually etc,” she writes. “I currently am in the best shape I’ve ever been in: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and it shows in my energetic embodiment + in my physique. Embodiment. Harmony. Balance. Wholeness. Divine Union.” She adds that everyone needs to do inner and outer work on themselves.
3. Reading
One way Emily does inner work on herself? She reads.
4. Yoga
Emily also does yoga. “You’re only a few intentional decisions away from a regulated nervous system. Don’t make it complicated, even 10 minutes makes a huge difference in your energy. And energy is everything. Next time you have a ‘lull’ in your day, even for 10 minutes, consider loving on that precious mind/ body/spirit of yours,” she captioned a video of herself doing a mini yoga session.
5. Strength Training
Emily’s main form of fitness is strength training. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:
- Develop strong bones
- Manage your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Manage chronic conditions
- Sharpen your thinking skills
