Track and Field Star Ivet Lalova-Collio Shares Swimsuit Photo On Vacation

Bulgarian sprinter Ivet Lalova-Collio took some time off from her intense training regimen to don a swimsuit and spend quality time with friends at the Gloria Verde Resort in Turkey. Lalova-Collio, 39, shared a beautiful picture of herself posing in a white and tan bikini on a dock, against a background of blue sea and skies. “GIRLS 🫶🏼”, her friend Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk—a champion long jumper—captioned the post. The Olympian athlete has an incredibly impressive strong physique, and she works hard to maintain her tone and muscle. But how exactly does she do it? Here are 5 ways Lalova-Collio stays one of the fastest women in the world.

1. Weights and Running

Lalova-Collio’s training routine is what you would expect from an Olympian—she runs and lifts heavy weights. “In the winter I do a lot of weights, at least 3 times and tempo runs after,” she says. “In the summer I do fewer weights, but lots of high intensity running. I have weeks that I don’t have a day without putting on my spikes. I think about big championships from the moment I step on the track. Knowing that you have to be at your best there is taking me slowly to the moment and the day of the race. At the day I love some music during the warm-up, I do some strides, some active stretching, getting faster and faster in about 1 hour before the competition.”

2. No Outrunning a Bad Diet

Lalova-Collio recognizes how important diet is—especially for an athlete—when it comes to staying fit and healthy. “If I organize myself around training and what I have to eat and around sport, it's easier so the days goes almost like normal,” she says. “It's all about training, resting and recovery. I spend more time cooking - I really want to eat good and I keep telling people 'don't worry so much about exercise,' be careful because if you stay home all day, you end up eating so be careful about that so I pay more attention to diet.”

3. Strict About Exercise

Lalova-Collio didn’t let pandemic lockdowns get in the way of her training regimen—instead, she became creative about working out outside of the traditional gym environment. “We have a state of emergency - we are not under a lockdown - but we have a lot of restrictions,” she says. “We can't go to parks, tracks are closed, gyms are closed but it's your choice if you want to go out but we all prefer to stay home as much as possible. It's tough times for people who train like us! We run in the streets but I keep saying that athletics is a 'poor' sport - we don't need that much to do what we do. We run, we jump, we do the basic things the human body can do although we try and improve them into something superhuman. Even if we have to run on the street or have to run on the stairs in our building, we are going to make it!”

4. Triumph After Tragedy

Lalova-Collio says a serious accident that almost derailed her career in 2005 was actually the making of her. “I love to say that what saved me when the accident happened was that I was really young,” she says. “I was 21 years old. By that time and in my head, there was no possibility that I’m not coming back and I’m not running again. So I had no idea what I’m facing and how long it’s going to take and how hard it’s going to be and I never thought about it. Of course, I had my dark moment and as I said, I cried a lot. It was really tough for me watching the World Championships in Helsinki later, that the same season that I wanted so bad to be there and compete. But I worked, even on that and it saved me, but mostly my motivation to come back saved me.”

5. Power of Positivity

Lalova-Collio says if she could go back in time and give advice to her younger self, it would be to surround herself with positive people who encourage her, and get rid of negative people who would hold her back. “You will later work with a mental coach and discover many empowering things inside of you,” she says. “You will read books on the subject and by training your brain you’ll reach that state of feeling just how you want to feel - which is so important in both training and competition. I’d also say make sure you surround yourself with supportive and positive people.”

Track and Field Star Clara Fernández, master of the pole vault, shared some amazing swimsuit images over the past few days. “Mi isla favorita con @calallongahotel tenéis un código de descuento con mi código CLARACLL23 🫶🏻,” she captioned one video montage. She also shared a gorgeous photo of herself on a scenic rock from Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. The athlete, who is also a skilled triathlon participant who cycles swims, and runs long distances, knows exactly how to stay fit. Here's what she does to maintain her figure and how she shows it off.

1. She Pole Vaults

“Even if you’re unlikely to start flinging your body to amazing heights anytime soon, there’s plenty to learn from watching Olympic pole-vaulters,” says Adventist Health, which interviewed Dr. Gail Jones, a cardiologist at Northwest Regional Heart & Vascular and former pole vaulter. “Dr. Jones suggests watching the incredible core and upper body strength of vaulters, as well as their unique running style and power,” says the website. “This is very different from distance runners or sprinters, but no less athletic,” she told Adventist Health.

2. She Had Paddled

“Kayaking’s fluid paddling motion also provides a low-impact form of aerobic exercise improving strength and flexibility without the wear-and-tear on your joints like many other exercises. While you’ll quickly notice the workout on your upper body, proper paddling technique will tone and strengthen your back and chest as well. Like any aerobic exercise, kayaking can improve lung strength, while lowering blood pressure and a regulating of cholesterol, and Men’s Journal has even heralded kayaking one of the best workouts for a healthy heart,” says Visit NH.

3. She Stretches

“Research has shown that stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion of your joints,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Better flexibility may:

• Improve your performance in physical activities
• Decrease your risk of injuries
• Help your joints move through their full range of motion
• Increase muscle blood flow
• Enable your muscles to work most effectively
• Improve your ability to do daily activities

You may learn to enjoy the ritual of stretching before or after hitting the trail, ballet floor or soccer field.”

4. She Gets Vitamin D

“Vitamin D plays a big role in bone health and low Vitamin D levels have been linked to rickets in children and bone diseases like osteoporosis. So how much sun do you need to get enough Vitamin D? It only takes 5-15 minutes of sunlight exposure on your arms, hands and face to get your daily value,” says SCL Health. “The darker your complexion, the more time in the sun. Forget choking down a chalky vitamin every morning, just get outside for a bit and let the sun do its thing.”

5. She Swims

“The enjoyment in activity is extremely important in terms of continuing to engage in those activities,” says Hirofumi Tanaka, a professor in the University of Texas’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, told US Masters Swimming. “Tanaka points to a study of minimally to moderately obese young women done by Grant Gwinup and published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 1987. Participants reported that they enjoyed swimming much more than running and cycling,” says US Masters Swimming. “Swimming is also the third-most popular exercise, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, meaning you’ll have someone to work out with.”

Manuela Alvarez Hernandez is one of the hot new models right now. In 2019, she was one of Sports Illustrated’s SI Swim Search winners. And her recent Instagram post proves why she got the job. Hernandez shared a set of photos from the beach. She wore a bunch of different swimsuits, including one in yellow, one in orange, and one in black. Hernandez captioned the post, “Leaving these here just before summer ends.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Manuela Alvarez Hernandez stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Wants To Inspire Others

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Hernandez wants to be an inspiration for other Latina models. She talked about this in an interview with HOLA USA, after winning the SI Swim Search. “It’s an honor,” she said. “And for me, it’s huge because coming from Medellin and moving to the U.S., I didn’t really think that my life was going to take this direction. The fact that I’m following my dreams, and I get to be myself and represent Latinas is truly an honor.”

2. She Changed Her Diet and Exercise

Hernandez talked about how she prepped for the SI shoot to HOLA USA. “I knew that the day of the shoot I wanted to feel my best and feel confident,” she said. “A few weeks before, I did work out a lot. I would go to the gym once or twice a day every single day. I tried to cut out dairy, meat and tried to have mainly a plant-based diet. It was really hard for me just because I love food. I love pizza; I love carbs. It really did take a lot for me to restrain myself from eating meat and all the fried foods and all the good stuff. That’s probably the best shape I’ve been in in my life.”

3. She Prioritized Education

At the 2019 SI Swimsuit On Location event in Miami, Hernandez revealed to a reporter that she put school ahead of her modeling dreams. “It honestly feels like a crazy dream,” Hernandez said. “It’s insane to see that it’s becoming a reality and I’m living it. Honestly, I’m really glad that I went to school and got my degree and that now I have the chance to do modeling all the time. Now I’m in LA, so it’s honestly just been amazing.”

4. She Swims

As you can see from her recent Instagram post, Hernandez likes to go to the beach. One thing she likes to do there is swim. She shared this video on Instagram of herself running into the water. Hernandez captioned the post, “I love this feeling.” Better Health states that, “Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. Recreational swimming can provide you with a low-impact workout and it's a good way to relax and feel good.”

5. She Skis

Swimming isn’t the only outdoor workout Hernandez likes to do. She also enjoys going skiing. Hernandez shared this set of photos and videos of herself on the slopes of Big Bear Mountain. She captioned the post, “A fun day on the mountain.” SkiCanada.org states, “It’s well documented that skiing and snowboarding benefits cardiovascular health, overall fitness, strength, coordination, balance and more. Regardless of your health and fitness goals, strapping on a pair of skis or a snowboard is sure to fulfill some of them. Due to the versatility of skiing and snowboarding, it can encompass the benefits of a cardio workout, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, and strength training session, all in one fun activity.”

Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk is heating up Ukraine in her swimsuit. In one of her latest social media posts the track and field star flaunts her fit figure in a black one-piece during a day on the water. “It was a buzzing day, and any other words here would be superfluous,” she captioned the series of Instagram snaps. How does the champion athlete maintain her fit figure? Here are 5 ways she stays in shape.

1. She Runs

As a top long jumper, running fast is a prerequisite, so it is one of many ways Maryna trains for her job. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say.

2. She Jumps

Romanchuk also swears by a hurdle jumping workout. She recently shared this video on Instagram of herself jumping over hurdles with her legs together. "My first hurdles jump. What do you think about?” she said. She also jumps on high boxes. Both are great for working her glutes and legs.

3. She Does Ab Work

Maryna does a lot of ab work to keep her midsection tight. “Gym exercises for ABS and stability,” she captioned a video of her workout. “With this exercise routine, my tummy is happy.”

4. She Skis

Romanchuk also skis. "At least once in a lifetime, it's worth visiting, you find yourself in an incredibly amazing fairy tale.✨ I felt like magic around me and I couldn't get enough of the beauty around me,” she captioned a video. Research has linked downhill skiing to a number of health benefits. In addition to promoting physical fitness, it may decrease risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Studies have also found that the more frequently a person skis, prevalence of known hypercholesterolemia, systemic hypertension, diabetes, the frequency of mental stress and the occurrence of memory deficits declines.

5. She Paddleboards

In this recent Instagram post, Maryna is paddleboarding. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) agrees that paddle boarding is great for the core and also a great form of cardio. The water sport can burn an average of 385 calories for a 140 pound male and 436 for a female the same size, per a study conducted by Arizona State University.

Lacrosse champion Alex Aust is sharing throwback summer bikini pictures to herald the approach of the colder months. Aust, who is a Team USA gold medalist, posted a snap of herself wearing a tiny bikini while posing in the surf at the beach, looking fit and sunkissed. “When AA reminds you she creates magic,” Aust commented about famed photographer Alex Ashman. So how does she do it? Here are 5 ways Aust stays fit, strong, and happy.

1. HIIT Workouts

Aust is a big fan of HIIT workouts, and shares her routines online. “HIIT can help to decrease body fat, increase strength and endurance, and improve health outcomes, but it is not necessarily better than other exercise formats,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “Its main appeal is that it can achieve similar fitness and health benefits in a shorter duration, and that it includes periods of rest.”

2. Say No To the Scales

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Aust refuses to weigh herself, instead focusing on her strength and energy. “As athletes, we don’t have that stick-thin body type, but at the end of the day, our bodies are our vehicles,” says Nicole Aust, Alex’s sister and former Maryland Lacrosse teammate. “If Alex’s body is skinny and small, it’s not going to perform the way she wants it to on the field and she’s learned to cherish that.”

3. Professional Trainer

Aust developed at-home workout The Sweaat Life to continue working out during the pandemic lockdowns. “All of the things that I am involved with, I think back to my training at Maryland, hearing Cathy’s [Reese] voice in the back of my head, telling me to believe in myself,” she says. “That definitely is something that I constantly reflect back on when I do something or I put myself out there for another goal I am trying to reach.”

4. Sports Illustrated Model

Aust was emotional about her photoshoot for Sports Illustrated, as she worked incredibly hard to make it happen. “I felt every emotion I had in the past eight months,” she says about seeing the pictures for the first time. “Working my butt off to be the best version of myself. I saw that in a moment. I never realized a photo of yourself could be that powerful.”

5. She’s a Role Model

Being a role model for young female athletes is something Aust takes seriously and is proud of. “What’s more important than actually playing, though, is being able to reach these young female lacrosse fans,” she says. “That’s my biggest thing. To me, it’s super important that we have the visibility of the WPLL and have it on ESPN3, so that the girls on my club team can watch us play and see these high level athletes and hopefully in 15 years see them on these teams, which would be really, really cool.”