Track and Field Star Annie Kunz In Workout Gear Is “So Grateful” For Support

Heptathlon athlete Annie Kunz is thanking friends and followers for all their support after injuring herself during the Olympic trials. Kunz, 31, shared an emotional video of herself wearing lilac workout gear and a silver Olympics logo necklace, explaining what happened and how she feels. “I know I’m probably missing so many people so I apologize if I did, thank you from the bottom of my heart to the village of people that have helped support me to my goals. I’m so grateful for every single one of you and would be nowhere without you guys. 💔🫶🏻 And huge thank you to my sponsors for even allowing me to have the ability to train full time and chase my dreams I’m so unbelievably grateful for your support through it all 🙏🏻,” she captioned the post. Kunz has been competing since she was a teenager—here’s what her wellness regimen looks like.

1. Quality Training

Annie Kunz/Instagram

Kunz focused on quality over quantity when it comes to training. “It’s been such a learning curve to figure it out and do all the little things,” she told Omorpho. “Whether it's recovery or prehab exercises, I’m always taking care of my body, my nutrition and my supplement routines. I'm very, very regimented, so I feel like a well-oiled machine and not like I'm breaking down every day. As I get older, and through getting injured, I realized that I was running myself down too much. I used to think that more was always better. The heptathlon is so taxing; training smarter and focusing on quality over quantity is better.”

2. Pandemic Training

Annie Kunz/Instagram

Kunz used the pandemic lockdowns to focus on her training. “For the first time I was out there with no coach by myself … running hills in front of my house which were super steep,” she told the Colorado Sun. “There was no one to complain to. I was doing it for myself to get better. Being isolated because of COVID made me realize for the first time how badly I really do want this.”

3. Tracking Her Cycle

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Kunz tracks her menstrual cycles and adapts her training to the time of the month, something she says has been a game changer. “It's literally just been a world of difference,” she told NPR. “I never have those days anymore where I'm just dragging to warm up. I come with energy.”

4. Strong and Beautiful

Annie Kunz/Instagram

Kunz revels in her strong, toned physique after previous experiences with unhealthy restriction. “I've definitely had coaches in soccer and track that just bluntly would be like, “If you lost 10 pounds, you'd be so great,’” she told NPR. “I wouldn't say I've ever had an eating disorder, but I definitely think it was something that weighed heavy on my mind a lot.”

5. Acceptance and Focus

Annie Kunz/Instagram

Kunz admits she doesn’t always feel positive. “I struggle with trying to stay positive because it's not reality,” she told Omorpho. “You're not always going to feel positively about what you're doing, and it's not always sunshine, daisies, unicorns and rainbows. I focus on accepting what’s happening in the moment. I work with my mental coach on mindfulness and being present. I think that's really carried me through. That's what got me through the Olympic trials and the Olympics. I also stay focused on my goals. They keep me structured and motivated to go win medals.”

Track and Field star, Emma Oosterwegel, works hard towards her fitness goals and remains grateful. “Off season has started! I am proud to look back at my completed competitions, even though the year started a bit rough due to medical issues. Thanks to everyone who came all the way to France to cheer for me! And can't forget to thank my coach Ronald, my physio Luc, my doctor Petra and the best teammates @sofiedokter and @anoukvetter for all the hard work and laughter🧡 Also a big thanks to @adidasrunning @starolbv @qandaretail and @atletiekunienl for the support. I am grateful for the journey and the people around me😇 Time to recharge and on to next season,” she said on Instagram. Here’s how she stays healthy, strong, and feeling her best.

1. She lifts weights

Weight lifting is a part of her workout routine to build muscle. Seen in this video on Instagram, captioned “clean pb 🤩 #100kg,” or again here, in a series of clips of her working out and lifting in various ways captioned “Monday weights 🏋‍♀️,” she has incredible form.

2. She’s positive and supportive

Even if she has a setback, she wishes her teammates luck and remains positive. “Unfortunately I wont be able to start the @hypomeeting_goetzis this weekend. Due to a minor injury I will have to delay my first heptathlon of the season. I wish my teammates and all the contestants good luck,” she said on Instagram, disappointed, but still supportive.

3. She celebrates

She celebrates her milestones and achievements. “Second best score ever and 7th of the WORLD!!🤩 Enjoyed this heptathlon so so much 🧡 Really proud of my teammate @anoukvetter for smashing her national record and winning the silver medal! 📷: @erki67,” she said on Instagram.

4. She’s proud

She’s proud of what she can do, and is there to lift up others. “Still can't believe we actually did this🥺 I am so happy we could share these moments together. I am very proud of you, @femke_bol . On to many more adventures together🧡📷: @coopsrun,” she said on Instagram photos of her celebrating.

5. She runs

She spends time in nature, running and getting fresh air. On a beautiful video following her running, Emma said “fall run 🍂🍁,” while fitting in some cardio. According to Better Health, “regular running or jogging offers many health benefits. Running can help to build strong bones, as it is a weight bearing exercise, strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, [and] burn plenty of kilojoules.”

Danielle Brandon is a very successful CrossFit athlete. She recently competed in a competition, and shared some highlights on Instagram. In them, Brandon is seen lifting weights and bags, running, and spending time with other athletes. She captioned the post, “This past weekend was fun, silly, humbling, competitive, and nothing short of impressive!! 😮‍💨💫🏆I walk away full of gratitude to be surrounded by such greatness…. I mean seriously, to be on a team full of absolute legends and savages took me freakin BACK !!! especially after watching @emily_rolfe19 and @dallinpepper do their thing - that was out of this world 🌎✨🤯”

1. She Pushes Herself

In the caption of her Instagram post, Brandon talked about the importance of pushing herself in competitions. “Even after 6 years of doing this full time you forget there’s levels to this $hit - even at the top. Just because you’re surrounded by the best doesn’t mean you’re one of them. There is and should always be a constant fight to prove you can hang with the best of the best. Because of @wodapalooza we got to show the world so much greatness and I’m glad I got to be a small part to help TEAM NA TO VICTORY 🥳 love you all so so so much and there isn’t a day that goes by that I am not thankful for what I get to do and WHO I get to do it with and next to 🤍”

2. She Runs

Danielle Brandon/Instagram

In her Instagram post, Brandon is seen running on the treadmill. This is very beneficial. According to Healthy Talbot, “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.”

3. She Lifts Weights

Danielle Brandon/Instagram

Brandon is also seen doing strength training exercises in her Instagram post. The Mayo Clinic states that strength training is very beneficial. “Strength training can help you manage or lose weight, and it can increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories. Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”

4. She Hikes

Brandon likes to hike to stay in shape. She shares a lot of posts on Instagram of herself doing so. Brandon shared these photos of herself on a mountain, captioning them, “You just gotta keep livin man.” She also included a hiking photo and video in this Instagram post. Brandon captioned it, “Is it quite witerally all for the homies… & pups.”

5. She Uses A Fitness Bike

Brandon shared this video of herself working out on Instagram. In it, she is seen using a fitness bike. Brandon captioned the post, “One foot in front of the other.” Using a fitness bike has a lot of benefits. Penn State PRO Wellness reports, “Depending on the intensity of your workout and your body weight, you can burn more than 600 calories an hour with a stationary bike workout. This makes indoor cycling an excellent workout option for burning calories quickly.”

Elizabeth Marks is a former army sergeant. She is also a swimmer who competes in the Paralympics. Marks will be competing in Paris, and shared a set of photos from the trials on Instagram. She captioned it, “Late to announcement post (as usual), but for a reason. Paris 2024 ♥️. Incredibly grateful to be named to my 3rd Paralympic Team. Today feels strange. I’m grateful, excited and sad. To my teammates that won’t physically be in Paris I will do my best to make you proud. Thank you for pushing me and supporting me everyday. I’m so fortunate to have y’all in my life. Congratulations to the 2024 Paris team, excited to see all of you thrive.”

1. She Hikes

Marks likes to go for hikes. She shared these photos on Instagram of herself and her friends hiking in Alaska. Harvard Health states that being outside has a lot of mental 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.”

2. She Trains With Others

When Marks trains, she likes to have a partner with her. Marks shared these photos on Instagram of herself swimming with a friend. Iowa State reveals that group exercise has a lot of benefits. “Exercising with others can also satisfy some basic psychological needs. Any kind of exercise can help someone feel in control of their choices, but the social support from a group can reinforce a sense of autonomy. Similarly, group exercise can increase feelings of mastery – thanks to growing competence, for example, at spinning or step aerobics. And it will certainly increase your connectedness with others. People naturally choose to keep up fulfilling behaviors in the long term and they promote mental health – a win-win.”

3. She Works Her Upper Body

Marks shared this video on Instagram of herself doing an upper body workout. “Go to @usarmywcap for nutrition tips and workouts provided by our awesome team at WCAP 🖤 credit: @usarmywcap... 2 minute warm up - Skier. 4x6-12 Chest press /super set with pull ups. 4x6-12 Incline press /super set with rows. 4x6-12 Flys /super set with high row. 4x6-12 Bicep curl /super set with overhead tricep extensions.

4. She Strength Trains

As you can see in the previous Instagram post, Marks is seen using weights. ACE Fitness states that this has a lot of benefits. “Lifting heavy weights elevates levels of anabolic hormones—specifically testosterone, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)—which are used to repair muscle fibers damaged during exercise. This helps the muscle fibers to become thicker and capable of generating higher levels of force.”

5. She Swims, Naturally

"Swimming is one of the most effective ways to burn calories. A gentle swim can burn over 200 calories in just half an hour, more than double that of walking. And a faster swim would see that chocolate bar gone quicker than if you went running or cycling," says Swimming.org. "As well as being a great form of cardiovascular exercise, swimming just 30 minutes a week can help to guard against heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes."