Olympic Gymnast MyKayla Skinner in Two-Piece Workout Gear is "Killing It"

Kay Hansen, a highly successful MMA fighter, regularly shares videos of her training on Instagram. Recently, she posted a video of herself boxing and working on holds, captioning it, “In my own lane.” Hansen's rigorous training includes a combination of boxing, weight training, and core workouts to keep her body in peak fighting shape. Her commitment to mastering techniques like snatches and leg day exercises shows her dedication to building strength, endurance, and power in the gym and the ring.

1. She Boxes

The boxing that Hansen is seen doing so in her Instagram video has a lot of benefits. Harvard Health states, “Fitness boxing is a great aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise gets your heart pumping and helps lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can strengthen bones and muscles, burn more calories, and lift mood. Aerobics can also boost your endurance, which helps you climb a flight of stairs or walk farther.”

2. She Weight Trains

One type of exercise that Hansen likes to do is weight training. She shares a lot of videos on Instagram of herself using weights. Hansen shared these videos on her page of herself using a barbell and a kettlebell. She captioned the post, “A little solo work today building off of some recent workouts with @coach_lou_ 🏋️‍♀️Complex 1RDL x10. Power cleans x5. Front Squat x10 (X4). Complex 2. (Forgive the form- that was my last set😂). Bicep curls x5. Bent over row x10. Overhead press x6 (3x). Movement 3: Whatever kettle bell exercise that was 😂”

3. She Works Her Lower Body

Hansen doesn’t skip leg day. She shared some of her go-to moves in this Instagram video. Piedmont recommends training your lower body. “Having strong glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles gives your body a strong foundation and can: Tone your lower body muscles. Boost your metabolism as you increase muscle mass. Give you a higher calorie burn as you train larger muscle groups. Improve your balance. Strengthen your bones. Reduce joint pain.”

4. She Does Core Workouts

Hansen makes sure to do core workouts to stay in shape. She shared some of her favorites in this Instagram post. In it, Hansen does things like plank slides and side planks while lifting a weight. “Cardio and Core today 🥵💪Little blast at the end was my fav. 30sec cardio (versus climber) x 30sec core (any) for 10 straight 🙌 try it out!”

5. She Does Snatches

One weight training exercise that Hansen enjoys doing is snatches. She shared this video of herself doing them on Instagram. Hansen captioned the post, “Today was an introduction to snatches for me 🙌 I think I found my new favorite 😂One thing about me is I am going to do it right. Whether it takes 10 reps or 1000 reps, I have to get as close to perfect as possible😂 today was a 1000 rep kinda day lmao. It’s a blessing and a curse.”

Becky Downie is a world-class gymnast with an incredible career spanning three Olympic Games (2008, 2016, and 2024). Known for her talent on the uneven bars, she earned a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships. Recently, Downie shared a series of photos on Instagram, posing confidently in black workout gear and white sneakers, with the playful caption, “It’s giving …. Brand with the 3 stripes 🖤.”

A seasoned athlete, Downie balances intense training, a disciplined diet, and self-care to stay at the top of her game. She’s also an advocate for positive change in gymnastics, speaking out on issues in the sport. Whether she’s in the gym or on the world stage, Downie’s resilience and dedication inspire fans and fellow athletes alike.

1. She Prepares Herself

Downie talked about her wellness secrets in an interview with Women Fitness. She says that she makes sure to prepare herself for competitions. “Having the experience of being an Olympian definitely helps me prepare mentally, and also, I know physically what I need to be ready for in terms of the competition preparation. It’s an incredible experience, but it can become overwhelming, so being able to understand when I need to take a step back is good.”

2. She Does Two Workouts A Day

Downie broke down her fitness routine in her Women Fitness interview. “My home training routine consists of two workouts a day,” she says. “My morning session included 30-40 minutes of cardio followed by 1-1.30hrs of body conditioning and rehabilitation. I then do another session later in the afternoon which includes more body conditioning, followed by more gymnastic skill specific drills.”

3. She Eats Healthy

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Downie makes sure to eat a healthy diet. She shared her favorite foods in her Women Fitness interview. “Breakfast can range from eggs / vanilla & banana porridge / chicken sausages. Lunch is always a low sugar protein bar and fruit. I like to keep things light before flipping around in the gym. After training I always have a protein shake with skimmed milk and then once I’m home I have dinner which is usually some meat / fish, vegetables or salad and some rice or lentils. My top 5 foods I love and would always be in my diet….. grilled chicken, sushi, blue berries, avocado and bananas.”

4. She Takes Care Of Her Skin

Downie broke down her skincare routine to Women Fitness. “My two favourite brands are Carbon Theory and Glamglow. I use Carbon theory soap everyday morning and night and then use their cleanser or a glamglow moisturiser. I also love to use baby oil or body butter every evening after a hot bath. I avoid using body moisture before training as it makes me extra sweaty and it can make gripping difficult in training. Five skin boosters ….. Use a good facial wash / moisturise your face / wearing reduced makeup when training helps keep my skin fresher / A good body moisturiser to keep skin hydrated and for me to combat the chalky gym / Exfoliating body and facial wash is brilliant to use 2-3 times a week.”

5. She Spoke Out

Downie and her younger sister, Ellie, notably spoke out about certain treatment they received in the gymnastics world. She talked about this in an interview with The Guardian. "I have been told by a person of significant importance - in the national team environment - that a lot of coaches do not agree with what we've done. Maybe I did open my mouth a year too soon, I'm not sure. If this is the sacrifice [an Olympics] then this is the sacrifice, change needs to happen. I’m proud of what I did and I don’t regret it."