Sydney Sweeney in Two-Piece Workout Gear Looks Unrecognizable as "Christy Martin"

Sydney Sweeney is getting into character in workout clothes. In a new social media post the actress flexes her guns while revealing to her followers that her next role is as Christy Martin, a former boxer. “Over the past few months, I've been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring. Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all,” she captioned the Instagram photos. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care?

1. Water Skier

Water skiing has been a hobby of Sydney’s since the “moment I could walk,” she told Women’s Health. “It’s my favorite.” In terms of physical benefits, “It’s a lot of upper body strength, it’s balance, it’s core, it’s legs—you get tired really fast,” she says. “I see such a change in my body after an entire summer of [skiing]. My arms are stronger, more sculpted. My abs are rock solid. But I never look at it as a workout because it is so much fun,” she said.

2. Hydration

Sweeney told the Hollywood Reporter that she only drinks water and that she has never even tried coffee and doesn’t drink alcohol. “If I’m celebrating, or it’s a very rare occasion, I’ll have a Shirley Temple,” she said. According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.

3. Martial Arts

“I’m trained in mixed martial arts,” Sydney told Marie Claire. “I started when I was 14 and did my first competition at 18. It was a grappling competition against all guys a weight category above me, and I got first place. Those guys were probably saying, ‘Oh, we didn’t want to hurt her,’ but they were definitely trying. Everyone broke a sweat!” Studies confirm that the practice helps with balance, cognitive function and psychological health in addition to weight loss and physical fitness.

4. Reading

“I love to paint, and I love to read,” she said. “Those are the activities that are just for me.” Why should you pick up a book? According to a Harvard study published in Social Science & Medicine, people who read books regularly had a 20% lower risk of dying over the next 12 years compared with people who weren't readers or who read periodicals.

5. Try New Workout Classes

Sydney also enjoys dabbling in new workouts. In a recent post she reveals that she has been doing the solidcore workout, calling it “the most insane workout ever.” The pilates-based method is a low-impact, high intensity workout. According to the Mayo Clinic there are lots of benefits to the workout, as it “strengthens the body's inner core while increasing its flexibility resulting in improved overall health.” It can also promote longer, leaner muscles, injury prevention, relief from stress and back pain, enhanced athletic performance, and heightened mind-body awareness.

Sydney Sweeney, star of Euphoria, is in Hawaii and loving it. “72 hours off, let the fun begin 🥰,” she captioned a photo of her in a swimsuit in O'ahu, looking straight out of her other hit HBO show, The White Lotus. What is her exercise method of choice and what other things does she do to keep herself so fit? Read on to see 7 ways Sydney Sweeney stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Does Mixed Martial Arts

In a video clip she shared, Sydney can be seen boxing and kickboxing like a pro. In addition to fighting with her trainer, he has her incorporating punches into workout moves, including crunches. “I’m trained in mixed martial arts,” the actress previously told Marie Claire. “I started when I was 14 and did my first competition at 18. It was a grappling competition against all guys a weight category above me, and I got first place. Those guys were probably saying, ‘Oh, we didn’t want to hurt her,’ but they were definitely trying. Everyone broke a sweat!”

2. She Skis

Sydney Sweeney/Instagram

When she isn’t kicking butt in the MMA arena, Sydney is water and snow skiing. In a recent Instagram “yearly ski post” she showed off her skills. “Hope one day i can do this everyday,” she wrote. “Getting 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercises each week is important, according to the American College of Sports Medicine,” says the Mayo Clinic. “There are many options to explore when it comes to cardio workouts. Consider what you can do in the comfort of your own home, outdoors or in the gym. Swimming, cross-country skiing, stair-climbing and jumping rope are examples of exercises that will increase your cardiovascular rate.”

3. She Hikes, Walks, and Runs

Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Another one of Sydney’s favorite outdoor activities is hiking. She has shared several photos of herself getting her walk on, oftentimes with her canine companion. “If you need me I’ll be climbing some rocks,” she captioned an image. “I try to take my dog on a walk twice a day. We’ll do a 2-mile walk in the morning and again at night if I can. If I’m feeling really motivated, I’ll run,” she told Bustle.

4. She Avoids Two Trendy Workouts

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

“I've tried to get into yoga, but my mind just races too much so I can't get there yet,” she admitted to Yahoo. She added to Bustle that she has never hopped on a Peloton. “When you lift weights, your muscles get stronger and bigger. When you do yoga, your brain cells develop new connections, and changes occur in brain struc­ture as well as function, resulting in improved cog­nitive skills, such as learning and memory. Yoga strengthens parts of the brain that play a key role in memory, attention, awareness, thought, and language. Think of it as weightlifting for the brain,” says Harvard Health.

5. She Hydrates

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Sydney focuses on hydration, and has one go-to drink. “I have never even tried coffee. I only drink water — for whatever reason, when I was like, 12, I decided I would only drink water and I just stuck with it. I love water, it’s my thing,” she told Bustle. “The National Academy of Medicine suggests an adequate intake of daily fluids of about 13 cups and 9 cups for healthy men and women, respectively, with 1 cup equaling 8 ounces. Higher amounts may be needed for those who are physically active or exposed to very warm climates,” says Harvard Health.

6. She Does Workout Videos

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Sydney also does workouts in the comfort of her own home. “If I have an hour, I’ll do a workout video at home, like a DOGPOUND one. Sometimes it’s hard if I’m missing equipment, but it’s doable,” she told Bustle.

7. She Eats a Little Sugar

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Sydney isn’t afraid of a little sugar, revealing to Bustle that for breakfast she is “really into” croissant toast that she eats with cinnamon sugar and honey butter. Other favorite sweet treats? “I'll have some Swedish Fish or anything gummy if I'm tired. I’ve had a Shirley Temple to celebrate,” she added.