Professional surfer Isabella Nichols is known not only for her prowess in the waves but also for her adventurous spirit. She’s even served as Blake Lively’s body double in The Shallows. In August, Nichols took a break from the surf to explore Girraween National Park with her loved ones, sharing highlights on Instagram with the caption, “Big rocks and bum slides!” From surfing and swimming to snowboarding and soccer, Nichols keeps fit by embracing a variety of sports that reflect her love for the outdoors.
1. She Surfs
Surfing is the main way Nichols stays in shape. Better Health states that surfing has a lot of benefits. “Surfing provides many health benefits including: cardiovascular fitness – from paddling, shoulder and back strength – these muscles will strengthen from the paddling, leg and core strength – once you’re standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up.”
2. She Swims
Surfing isn’t the only sport that Nichols does in the water. She also loves to go swimming. Nichols shared this video on Instagram of herself doing a geothermal hot and cold plunge in Iceland. She also shared these photos of herself snorkeling in Silfra with friends, captioning it, “Pretty crazy swimming between 2 tectonic plates & between Europe and North America as well! 🫶 best way to end the best trip with the best people ❤️”
3. She Snowboards
Surfing also isn’t the only sport that Nichols does with a board. She’s a big fan of going snowboarding. Nichols shared this photo on Instagram of herself and a friend snowboarding in Falls Creek. She captioned it, “Swapped the sea for the snow!” The University of Rochester states that snowboarding has a lot of health benefits. “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.”
4. She Plays Soccer
Nichols likes to play soccer to keep herself in shape. She shared this video on Instagram of herself juggling a soccer ball on the beach. Nichols captioned the post, “Finding ways to grind! Gotta get that 20 before you can surf 😹 @markrichosurfcoach @surfingservicesaustralia. My favourite kinda session are when the conditions are average but you can still make lemonade 🍋🍋🍋’
5. She Hikes
As you can see in her Instagram post, Nichols likes to hike to stay in shape. Harvard Health states that hiking has a lot of health benefits. “A number of small studies hint that spending time in green space — nature preserves, woodlands, and even urban parks — may ease people's stress levels. Giving the growing consensus that stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease risk, anything you can do to mitigate stress is likely helpful. In that realm, the benefits of hiking remain anecdotal, but outdoor enthusiasts tend to agree.”
