Track and Field Star Anna Ryzhykova in Two-Piece Workout Gear Shares "Winter Training"

Anna Ryzhykova is an accomplished track and field athlete with a career full of accolades, including a bronze medal in the 4x400 meter relay at the 2012 Olympics and multiple medals at the European Championships. Despite challenging conditions, Ryzhykova stays disciplined in her training. She recently shared an inspiring workout video on Instagram, captioned: “Every time I ask myself: why am I doing this? Cold, wind and understanding how hard it will be - suggest to stay home on the couch. And I remember what an awesome feeling after a workout, when discipline overcame desire!” From her intense workouts to healthy habits, here’s how she maintains her fitness and focus.

1. She Runs

In her Instagram video, Ryzhykova is seen running on the track. FloTrack states that running has a lot of health benefits. “Running and jogging is an aerobic exercise, and you’re working out both your heart and lungs while doing so. This will also lead to a lower resting heart rate, lower bad cholesterol in your blood and lower blood pressure. You don’t need to run an obscene amount of miles every day to get these benefits, either.”

2. She Strength Trains

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Ryzhykova is seen using a weight in her Instagram video. ACE Fitness states that weights have a lot of benefits. “Using maximal loads for compound (multi-joint) movements like the deadlift, squat-to-shoulder press, bent-over row or chest press can improve intermuscular coordination, which is the ability of many muscles to work together to generate and control high levels of force through multiple joints.”

3. She Does Squats

Anna Ryzhykova/Instagram

Ryzhykova is seen doing squats with a weight in her Instagram video. Squats are a great exercise to do. The Cleveland Clinic states, “Squats target and strengthen your thighs, hips and butt. Why does that matter? A strong lower body is important for athletes, yes, but not just for athletes. Your lower body fuels your ability to walk, run, jump … everything, really. It also generates power for upper-body movements and all kinds of other activities.”

4. She Uses A Foam Roller

Ryzhykova likes to use a foam roller to help her muscles recover. She shared this video on Instagram of herself using one. Ryzhykova captioned the post,“One simple habit that helps reduce the risk of injury! I can't imagine my warm-up without a massage roller — it's something that's always with me! I have been convinced for a long time that it really helps to prepare muscles for loads, relieve tension, and, by the way, research also confirms its effectiveness. A couple of minutes before and after training — and the body feels much lighter. Now there is a huge selection, so choose according to your taste and wallet. But I would advise smooth and light in weight. I have exactly one from @physiokit_ukraine. The main thing is not to be lazy, use it regularly, then it will definitely become a habit!”

5. She Loves Natural Juice

Ryzhykova makes sure to eat a healthy diet. One thing she likes is natural juices. Ryzhykova talked about this in the caption of this Instagram video. “When I want something tasty, I choose juice. Natural juices are a great alternative to sweets: they are not only tasty, but also useful. And on gloomy days, this liquid sun in a jar lifts the mood ☀️ Special thanks to Radishka 🍎🍏 for inspiring young people to a healthy lifestyle! This juice is real energy and pleasure 😋”