Skier Mikaela Shiffrin in Two-Piece Workout Gear Shares "Plot Twist"

Mikaela Shiffrin, one of the world’s top alpine skiers, continues to stay active and adventurous even off the slopes. With a record-breaking three Olympic medals and the highest World Cup wins, Shiffrin’s commitment to fitness is clear. Recently, she shared glimpses of her hiking routine on Instagram, capturing her journey through nature with the thought-provoking caption, “Plot twist…what if the journey IS the destination?” Her workout routine reveals a dedication to building strength and endurance, keeping her primed for skiing’s physical demands.

1. She Hikes

As you can see from her Instagram post, Shiffrin likes to hike to keep herself in shape. Harvard Health states that hiking has a lot of benefits. “Walking is great exercise, but sometimes you need a break from your usual neighborhood loop or the monotony of the basement treadmill. Head out for a hike instead. It's similar to walking but can give you a fitness boost along with a dose of novelty and adventure. And not only is hiking great exercise, it doesn't require much equipment. Navigating a winding, wooded trail can help your body build endurance, strength, and coordination, says Dr. Edward Phillips, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.”

2. She Skis

Skiing is one of the main things that Shiffrin does to keep herself in shape. Skiing has a lot of health benefits. The University of Rochester states, “Skiing and snowboarding are thrilling activities and great workouts. Both sports are excellent cardiovascular exercises that strengthen the heart. They are also weight-bearing exercises. So hey strengthen your bones as they tone your muscles. Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises also work to reduce your risk for ongoing (chronic) diseases. They lower your blood pressure. And they help you maintain a healthy body weight. Through regular aerobic exercise like skiing and snowboarding, you lower your risk of developing conditions like diabetes and heart disease, having a stroke, and perhaps even getting cancer.”

3. She Does RDLs

Shiffrin shared some of her favorite workouts in this Instagram video. One exercise she is seen doing is RDLs with a barbell. Shiffrin captioned the post, “Spilled a bit of my sandwich on my nearly-white leggings in the car and then went and rolled around in the gym for a bit. Feelin’ wonderful and productive! 🤣🙃😜” ACE Fitness states that RDLs have a lot of benefits. “The most important benefit of the RDL is that it teaches the proper movement and biomechanics of standing hip flexion and extension. This is the foundational movement for squatting, whether the movement is performed with a weight in the gym or while bending over to pick an object up from the floor.”

4. She Strength Trains

Mikaela Shiffrin/Instagram

Shiffrin does a lot of strength training. In the previous Instagram video, she is seen doing RDLs and lifting a weight with her legs. Strength training is very beneficial. The Mayo Clinic states, “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.”

5. She Uses A Treadmill

Shiffrin shared another workout video in this Instagram video. One thing she is seen doing is walking and running on a treadmill. Healthy Talbot states that this has a lot of benefits. “Treadmills provide outstanding cardiovascular exercises, which can significantly enhance your heart health. Thanks to their ability to maintain constant heart rates throughout the exercise. If you’ve high cholesterol or cardiovascular issues, this can be very beneficial. They can help to diagnose cardiac issues like heart disease and artery blockages. Under normal circumstances, your body may not exhibit symptoms of these heart conditions. However, when put under pressure through a workout, those symptoms will be displayed.”