Stunning Surfer Maya Gabeira in Two-Piece Workout Gear Says "Nothing Beats Health"

Maya Gabeira, an accomplished surfer, recently shared a glimpse into her health routine on Instagram. Along with a video of her active lifestyle, she emphasized the importance of consistent self-care, writing, “If you only take care of yourself on Sundays you are failing yourself. Nothing beats health and love for one self … with that you can love and heal the 🌎.” From surfing to swimming and everything in between, Gabeira shows how her dedication to wellness fuels both her personal and professional life.

1. She Surfs

Surfing is the main way Gabeira stays fit. Surfing England states that the sport has a lot of benefits. “Surfing requires a lot of focus, which can help to clear your mind and get into a flow state. When you’re out in the water, most of the time you’re not thinking about work or other stressors in your life. Instead, you’re focused on catching the next wave and enjoying the moment.”

2. She Swims

Gabeira shared this video on Instagram of herself doing different exercises. She is seen going for a dip in the pool in it. Swimming has a lot of health benefits. The Cleveland Clinic states, “Swimming takes much less of a toll on your body than, say, running or riding a bike. That’s because exercising in water lessens the impact of your body weight on your joints.”

3. She Does Jumping Jacks

Maya Gabeira/Instagram

Gabeira is seen doing jumping jacks in the previous Instagram video. Gymless states that the exercise has a lot of health benefits. “Jumping jacks is an effective total-body workout that can be practiced nearly everywhere. It works on your heart, lungs, and muscles simultaneously. The primary muscles worked are the glutes, hip flexors, and quadriceps. The secondary muscles worked are the abs, calves, hamstrings, and shoulders (anterior deltoids and posterior deltoids).”

4. She Runs On A Treadmill

Maya Gabeira/Instagram

Gabeira is also seen running on a treadmill in her Instagram video. Healthy Talbot states that treadmill exercise can be very beneficial. “Treadmill working is an aerobic/ cardio exercise. Studies demonstrate that aerobic exercise can minimize the risk of heart diseases. Moreover, they can strengthen your heart muscles. This helps to lower blood pressure and allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently. Most doctors recommend aerobic exercise to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.”

5. She Does Russian Twists

Gabeira is also seen doing Russian twists with a weight in her Instagram post. Gymless states that the exercise has a lot of benefits. “Russian Twists are a great exercise that develops all parts of your core, especially the obliques, it also targets the shoulders and hips. This exercise involves rotating your torso from side-to-side while maintaining a sit up position with your feet off the ground. This rotational movement often occurs in sports, which makes it a popular exercise amongst athletes. It is speculated that this was developed during the Cold War by the former Soviet Union as a training exercise for the Russian Soldiers.”

Coco Ho, a professional surfer and winner of several prestigious titles, including the World Qualifying Championship and ASP Pro Junior Champion in 2011, embodies the balance of strength, technique, and wellness. As the younger version of Anne Marie in Blue Crush, Ho’s surfing prowess and commitment to health have continued to inspire fans worldwide. Recently, she shared vacation highlights on Instagram featuring her surfing, biking, and dining out, captioned “J’adore Hossegor.” Here’s how Coco stays fit, focused, and ready to ride the waves.

1. She Does A Jiu Jitsu-Esque Workout

Coco Ho/Instagram

Ho shared one of her favorite workouts in an interview with ESPN. “I don't do as much stuff in the gym or with a personal trainer anymore. My favorite training over the last two years is a jiujitsu workout called Ginastica Natural -- ‘natural gymnastics.’ It's all bodywork, and it's all about hip mobility and glutes and being more adaptive to falling or landing weird -- perfect for surfers.”

2. She Does Breathwork

Ho tells ESPN that a big part of her wellness routine and surfing process is breathwork. “A huge part of Ginastica Natural is breathing. It's one of the biggest things I've learned through this new training. It's all about focusing on the control of your exhale instead of the inhale -- because you will always naturally inhale. After a wave, it helps with my paddles back out. When you're in the proper breath, your paddling will be in good form. The breath controls so much of the mind, so if your breath is at ease, your mind is at ease. It's become natural for me now.”

3. She Does Functional Training

Ho shared some of her wellness secrets with Thorne. “I try to start each day with some functional movements,” she says. “Which are perfect because they are a nice stretch and a good way to turn on your muscles for the day. Most of my workouts are considered functional training, usually nothing more than 30-pound kettle bells and a lot of focus on core strength, speed, agility, and flexibility.”

4. She Eats Healthy

Ho makes sure to eat a healthy diet. She talked about her secrets for doing so in her Thorne interview. “Because we travel so much, options per country always change. If I’m surfing right away when I wake up, then breakfast is usually pretty light – I love fruit and it’s usually always available in the tropical places I’m in. I don’t eat much red meat – simply by choice so I try to make sure I get the nutrients I might lack from avoiding certain foods.”

5. She Takes Supplements

Ho revealed to Thorne that she takes a lot of supplements. “I’ve learned what supplements help my energy and focus, my hydration levels, and my muscle replenishment. Truly the full package. When taking supplements, it’s so easy to not know everything you’re ingesting, and Thorne is the highest quality – for everything. I love knowing that. Their quality and wide range of products definitely helped my decision on trusting Thorne.”

Professional surfer Brianna Cope took a break from the waves to hit the ground running with friends. Cope, 33, shared pictures of herself wearing black shorts and a matching sports bra, flashing the peace sign at the camera. “The worlds funnest race ever😂✨❤️ this race has a mix of whatever you want to do! Run a 5k, half, full marathon or an ultra. You make the rules 🤪 I did a half marathon mixed in with sauna sessions, talking with friends and making new ones! what a special event @jesseitzler @devonlevesque 🫶🏼,” she captioned the post. Here’s how the athlete takes care of her health and happiness, inside and out.

1. Super Surfer

Cope was born with a birth defect on her left hand, which made her childhood difficult—but she now feels it gives her an edge with surfing. “I think I'm faster at paddling because I don't have fingers so I don't have any drag,” she told Olympics.com. “I'm really fast. It's my superpower for sure.”

2. KT Tape and Spotify

Cope swears by KT Tape and Spotify for workouts. “This has been a huge essential for running!” she told Wellworthy. “This tape has been essential for my running routine, providing crucial support and stability to my muscles and joints while also promoting better blood flow… From working out in the gym to a drive to go check the waves….Spotify is always on repeat.”

3. Go-To Supplements

Cope takes supplements as part of her wellness regimen. “I’m always on the go so making sure I get enough protein throughout the day is so important for me,” she told Wellworthy. “Making my morning oat milk cappuccino is one of the first things I do each day. It’s a must. I’ve been using LivOn supplements for 6 years. Right now my go to is Magnesium before bed, and B Complex and Vitamin C in the morning.”

4. Resistance Training

Cope does strength training sessions at the gym, using weights and a medicine ball to get fit and strong. One Instagram post shows the surfer wearing two-piece workout gear as she goes through a whole strength routine. “In my fitness era,” she captioned the post.

5. Strength Through Adversity

Cope’s experience growing up with a birth defect has only made her stronger. "Growing up, it's always so hard to be labeled as different,” she told Olympics.com. “When I was a kid, I thought everyone was different and I was the one with the normal hand. Being born with a birth defect and having kids pick on you, it really is so tough. I was always so shy, so embarrassed. But that taught me though, to overcome. I bring it back to competing because I have the drive and the tenacity from being bullied and from being pushed down so much that I'm able to overcome. I feel like it translates into my surfing and how I am as a person."

French Olympic surfer Johanne Defay is happiest in nature, so it’s no wonder she does even her yoga workouts outside. Defay, 30, shared a video reel of herself wearing shorts and a black hoodie, going through a number of yoga poses against a beautiful sunset. “Flow 🎶🧜‍♀️🙏🏽🧡 #yogis,” she captioned the post. “Love your flow!” a fan commented. Here’s what Defay’s diet, wellness, and training regimen looks like.

1. Smoothie Bowls

Defay is a big foodie. “I love food and breakfast!” she told Women Fitness. “I love smoothie bowls topped with any kind of cool stuff! toast with any nut butter with banana hemp seed and honey, or homemade banana bread, and sometimes croissants or buns. I like to do healthy pancakes too, but I get lazy sometimes… And I will always have my coffee.”

2. Family Matters

Defay relies on her family for strength and support. “My family, my mom and dad are never far away, and today there is also my husband, he accompanies me for every competition,” she told MK Sport. “We know each other so well, it's become routine, it's never been complicated.”

3. Husband and Coach

Defay’s husband Simon Paillard is also her coach. “We started working together on mental preparation, and later it became my only referee: for mental and physical preparation,” she told MK Sport. “It helped me a lot to gain self-confidence, we move forward together, and we learn together. It's a strength to have him by my side and if he can't be there, my mother or my father take over. Their advice is valuable, their support and love, indispensable.”

4. Surfers Are Athletes

Defay wants to dispel the myth that surfing is easy. “That surfing is [spending] all the time under palm trees in a bikini,” she told Women Fitness. “Sometimes, I have to wake up at 4.45 a.m. and I have to put my wetsuit on that is still a bit wet, and go surf in [cold] water when it is still dark. That it is just a lifestyle, I think now competitive surfers are real athletes. That it could be a dangerous sport, it really depends on the conditions. And that surfer girls are not supermodels but athletes.”

Workout Regimen

Defay loves working out outdoors, and says nature makes her feel alive. “I work out everyday, I need it to feel good and not be grumpy!” she told Women Fitness. “I have two types of routines: home/training routine where I will be surfing, but even more training in the gym, run, hike and trail running, road bike or mountain bike, skate, do yoga, meditate, swim, and walk. Then I have my routine when I compete where I will wake up between 4.45 and 6.45 and go surf before the contest starts to see how are the conditions of the day. And depending on the contest, I will compete, or rest, or surf again, or do yoga/training.”