WNBA Star Kelsey Plum In Aces Jersey Shares Low-Impact Workout

WNBA star Kelsey Plum is giving fans a look at the typical low-impact workout she swears by. Plum, 29, shared a video of herself wearing her Las Vegas Aces kit of black shorts and a red jersey, going through a functional training mat workout at the gym. “Chop wood 🪵 Carry Water 🪣,” she captioned the post, referencing a Zen proverb. “Love this!” a fan commented. Plum works hard to stay fit and focused—here’s how the athlete prioritizes her health and strength through diet and exercise.

1. low-Impact Training

Plum’s workout regimen is focused on lower-to-no-impact exercises. “I’m just doing a lot more non-impact training,” she told Muscle & Fitness. “A legit swimming workout is as hard as any workout that you’ll do. Those moments definitely improve my cardiovascular system in the off-season and I’ve also just started boxing. I really enjoy that, and I think the cardio element is there in boxing as well. And then I’m really big into Pilates and yoga and that’s not just off-season. In the season I think Pilates and yoga helps you to stay strong and also nimble and flexible.”

2. Basketball Diet

Plum knows how important good nutrition is for her game. “I changed my diet significantly from when I entered college,” she told 2aDays. “I went from eating everything to being a pescatarian. I would advise young players to watch their sugar intake, especially refined sugars. It has a huge negative impact on your body. Also, I would suggest eating for recovery after hard practices. I love chocolate almond milk, with some protein to help your body recover.”

3. Mobility Workouts and Meditation

Plum approaches her training focusing on both inner and outer performance. “In basketball, there’s a lot of different elements that you need,” she told Muscle & Fitness. “You need strength, you need speed, but you need mobility. You need to be able to change direction and so working on those things has helped me to become a better athlete… When I think about being motivated or passionate about things, I really just try to stay present. I try to stay in the moment and whatever is in front of me, whether it’s a workout or whether it’s a game, a lift, I just try to be great in that workout.”

4. Weight Lifting As a Teen

Shutterstock

Plum has been lifting weights since she was a teenager, gradually increasing her workouts with age and athleticism. While it might sound too intense, experts say strength training is perfectly safe for younger people. “I started in middle school; I think I was 13 and lifted three days a week,” she told 2aDays. “Nothing crazy (no squatting or heavy weights), all functional movements, and core strength.”

5. Volleyball Family

Plum broke away from her family’s traditional favorite sport to become a basketball superstar. “Everyone in my family played volleyball,” she told Muscle & Fitness. “But I just didn’t have that passion for it. I just kinda wanted to do something different, so my dad took me to play pick-up when I was a kid, so I just started playing, and I loved it.”

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) showcases extraordinary athletes whose physical prowess and dedication to their craft are nothing short of inspiring. From setting goals and adopting healthy lifestyles to overcoming obstacles and using their platforms for social change, these remarkable women offer valuable insights into their journeys both on and off the court. Here, we delve into the stories of 20 WNBA players who have shared their experiences, highlighting their approaches to wellness, training regimens, and personal philosophies. From Lisa Leslie's goal-oriented mindset to Kelsey Plum's advocacy against sexism, each player brings a unique perspective to the table. Whether it's diet and exercise, mental fortitude, or using their voices for important causes, these athletes demonstrate what it takes to achieve greatness both physically and mentally.

1. Lisa Leslie

Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

Lisa Leslie shared some of her tips to stay positive and productive in an interview with People. "I love to set goals,” she says. “Short-term goals and goals I want to achieve within one year. When I set those goals, it's still somebody that's got to be the best, so why not me?"

2. Sheryl Swoopes

Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

In an interview with Oprah Daily, Sheryl Swoopes talked about the best advice she’s received. “The best thing that my mom said to me growing up was, ‘Stop trying to be like somebody else and just be you.’ And I was always like, ‘I’m not trying to be someone else.’ But I was. I would look around and think, ‘My friends have so much more money, they live in a bigger house, they have better clothes.’ It took me until my adulthood to really, truly, finally grasp that I was doing that.”

3. Diana Taurasi

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

In a 2018 interview with Women Fitness, Diana Taurasi talked about her vegan diet. “I think it is something I have really benefitted from,” she says. “Just staying away from foods that cause a lot of inflammation, fats and sugars that everyone knows are obviously a little counterproductive if you eat large amounts of them. So, I have stayed more on a plant-based diet and it has really benefitted me, but everyone has a different take on food and what they need.”

4. Maya Moore

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Maya Moore is known for giving back to others. In an interview with Sports Illustrated Kids, she talked about wanting to be a role model for others. “I think a good team leader, first and foremost, is someone who leads by example. Someone who walks the walk and is unselfish, willing to serve and help give as much as they can to help their group succeed. I think a good team leader is also a good teammate and doesn’t expect everyone to only think about them. They realize that they are part of a team and that they have a leadership role.”

5. Breanna Stewart

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Breanna Stewart shared some of her favorite workouts in an interview on Redbull.com. "I need to make sure that my body is ready and that means getting in the weight room. I just work everything—upper and lower body. I also do Pilates to make sure that my core is strong. When I’m on the court, I’m using everything, so I want to make sure that my whole body is ready to go.”

6. Candace Parker

Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic

In an interview with ESPN, Candace Parker talked about her mindset and journey to winning games. “I look at guys like [the NBA’s Nikola] Jovic and guys that are slower that get to their spots. How do they do that? It’s like, really being a master of your matchup, and sometimes it involves slowing down and figuring out what the defense is giving you within a game.”

7. Sue Bird

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Sue Bird shared some of her favorite meals and foods in an interview with Women’s Health. "Breakfast is my favorite meal so I literally never miss it," she said. "I will wake up an hour early if it means I can get breakfast in. I'm obsessed with egg sandwiches.”

8. Elena Delle Donne

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Elena Delle Donne has Lyme disease, and she makes sure to take care of it. “Eating healthy is really important to me in managing my Lyme disease,” she explains to TheKitchn.com. “I try to eat gluten-free as often as possible.” Donne also shared some of her favorite meals in the interview. “One of my favorite dishes to make for dinner is a pesto chicken with sautéed onions.”

9. Skylar Diggins-Smith

Chris Polk/Getty Images

Skylar Diggins-Smith talked about some of her favorite workouts in an interview with ELLE. She says that she does a lot of box jumps to stay in shape. “A 12-inch box will work to do your box jumps. Box jumps help with explosions, verticals, and your legs get a good workout. I also do a lot of stuff for my core too, so planks and side planks.”

10. Tina Charles

Christopher Mast/Getty Images

Tina Charles opened up about her attitude on the court in an interview with The Daily Beast. “I’m all about winning,” she says. “Everybody has a role on the team. Some carry a heavier load. But I’m willing to do that night in and night out. I’m really thankful.”

11. Nneka Ogwumike

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Nneka Ogwumike shared some of her diet and exercise secrets in an interview with ESPN. She says that she learned that she had to reduce the amount of exercise she does. “I used to think that you had to do everything to really get the benefits. But everyone's body is different. I learned that my body doesn't need so much. It reacts very quickly to whatever I eat or whatever training I do, so I try to really limit all the extra stuff and keep it simple.”

12. Seimone Augustus

Leon Bennett/Getty Images

In an interview with The Athletic, Seimone Augustus talked about her approach to exercise. “Obviously as we get older, we start to focus more just trying to make sure we’re fueling our body in the right way and making sure we’re keeping ourselves prepared to come on the court and perform at our highest. But it’s always a struggle. I’m not going to lie, people. It is a struggle to eat healthy. But it’s fun to kind of challenge yourself in different ways as well.”

13. Angel McCoughtry

Kimberly White/Getty Images

Angel McCoughtry talked about why she spoke out against Kelly Loeffler’s comments to the Black Lives Matter movement and why she joined the Say Her Name Campaign to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was really important to me, not just for Louisville -- of course that hit home a little bit. But just in general, we were just tired of seeing so much happen, one after the next after the next. We get to see it on video. But it was just important to try to find some type of initiative while playing basketball that we could kind of advocate for. That's how we were able to do the Say Her Name campaign, and it has become a big success. So I've been really proud of what's come out of it.”

14. Liz Cambage

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

In an interview with Women’s Health, Liz Cambage talked about her approach to wellness, and revealed the best advice she received. “The best advice I've ever received is, that you have to live your life, not someone else's. Do what's good for you. If someone's commenting on yours and what you should be doing, tell them to go focus on theirs."

15. Jewell Loyd

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Jewell Loyd took Women’s Health through her daily routine. She says that staying hydrated is important to her. “Immediately, I like to drink my water. I’m trying to get close to a gallon a day, so I start with half that amount and then refill my bottle for the rest of the day. Luckily one of the features on my new Samsung Galaxy Watch5 is a water tracking feature, so I can set goals for daily water intake and it reminds me to hit those each day.”

16. Chelsea Gray

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Chelsea Gray notably suffered an injury in college. She tells The Sports Section that this inspired her to not only take better care of herself, but also to learn more about health. “The first step was changing my diet. I got a little bit leaner and smarter about the weight that I put on and carry with my knees and legs. It was the first time I really paid attention to my diet to get the most out of my body. Our body is how we make our money — it’s what we do. And so to be able to, for lack of a better term, treat it like a temple and make sure I know what’s going on inside is important.”

17. Allie Quicgley

M. Anthony Nesmith/Getty Images

Allie Quigley talked about her process for staying in shape in an interview with High Post Hoops. “Physically just taking care of your body, eating right, getting good rest, doing your exercises in the weight room to keep yourself actually on the court. Basketball wise, just figuring out as a player what it is that is going to make you the most successful. Trying to stick to that and be as efficient as possible.”

18. Natasha Cloud

Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Natasha Cloud is known for speaking out about things that are important to her. She shared why she does this in an interview with The Washington City Paper. “We are blessed to be playing and having a platform at the WNBA, blessed to play for a coach that backs us when we do speak up and feel strongly about stuff and supports us in it,” Cloud says. “Also we’re in the most powerful city in the world, in D.C., so there’s a lot of controversy always here that we can speak on. I feel like if I don’t use my platform, and don’t use my voice, then I’m doing a [disservice] to a lot of people out here in the world.”

19. Kelsey Plum

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Kelsey Plum is all about promoting change. In 2017, Plum talked to The Bleacher Report about the sexism she faces as a basketball player. “I tell people, I don't play women's basketball, I play basketball. Putting the ‘women's’ next to it shouldn't be an asterisk, like it's "less than." I have been given a little bit of a spotlight, and I hope to show that we can keep moving forward in convincing people that women are just as capable as men.”

20. Kia Nurse

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Kia Nurse opened up about her offseason activities in an interview with BarDown. “Some days, it hits more than others. Right now, this is my offseason, this week that I have now not doing anything physical will be the rest that I get. [laughs] Then, getting ramped up and ready to go again for the WNBA season will be all of the next preparation.”

Kysre Gondrezick is a star in women’s basketball. She has played for the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. Gondrezick makes sure to stay in shape. In a recent Instagram story, she is seen at the Pilates gym. Gondrezick wore a gray basketball t-shirt and black workout pants in the photo. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Kysre Gondrezick stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Plays Basketball

Basketball is the main way Gondrezick keeps herself fit. The sport has a lot of benefits. Better Health reports, “Basketball involves a lot of starting and stopping. While not renowned as an aerobic sport, it is still a great workout that can help you: burn calories (an hour of basketball can burn 630–750 calories), build endurance, improve balance and coordination, develop concentration and self-discipline, build up muscle.”

2. She Works Hard

In October 2020, Gondrezick talked about her last college basketball season in an interview with Slam Online. She said that she used the pandemic to work and train hard. “I went to work. I hope I don’t offend anyone when I say this because life is different for all of us. But for me, during the COVID dead period, it helped me kind of slow myself down.” She says that she worked out twice a day and ate healthy during this time.

3. She Uses A Round Brush

Gondrezick makes sure to look good, especially when it comes to her hair. She revealed in this video on X that she likes to use a round brush on it to get ready. “Hey, what's up y'all,” Gondrezick said. “It's Kysre Gondrezick here, and I'm here with Crown Royal and League Fit to get ready for my game. Let's go. First things first, got to do the hair. Always need a good blowout.” She then proceeded to use a round brush on her hair.”

4. She Loves Blazers

Gondrezick shared some of her favorite clothes and outfits in the X video. “I'll always start my outfits based off with a blazer, and today I'm feeling black, so I'm going to rock it with these glittery shorts. I actually got these from my mom, from the thrift store. She just want shopping. Then I'm going to think I'm going to top it off with some stockings. I love stockings. It gives me 95. Then I'm going to finish the top with a little bralette. Super, super hot in Chicago right now. I always do a black yo, but they got to be red at the bottom. Now I'm going to top the Hal, fade off with some Chanel and never go wrong with Chanel. So here's my final outfit, you guys. What do you think? I think it's giving, she's cute about to head to the game.”

5. She Does Pilates

Kysre Gondrezick/instagram

As you can see in her Instagram story, Gondrezick likes to do Pilates to keep herself in shape. The Cleveland Clinic reports that Pilates is a great workout. “Pilates is focused more on building your core strength through a disciplined practice of several small-movement exercises during each session. A fundamental set of exercises is basic to each class and is learned first to strengthen your core and teach you how to move with each breath. Over time, you can level up to doing more advanced exercises with the help of an instructor.”

Basketball player Nika Mühl is saying goodbye to her UConn team after getting drafted by the Seattle Storm, and she’s clearly ready for the WNBA chapter of her career. Mühl, 23, was tagged in a Seattle Storm official Instagram picture of herself posing on the basketball court in black leggings and a hoodie. “Heard some people wanted @nika.muhl content 😉,” reads the caption on the post. “She’s all yours, admin 🫡,” the official UConn account commented. Here’s how Mühl prepared for this exciting chapter in her life.

1. Support From Breanna Stewart

Mühl looks to fellow WNBA professional players like Breanna Stewart for support and encouragement, especially when things don’t go to plan. “This is all a process, this will all make sense later,” Mühl says Stewart told her. “I’ve been in your shoes, I’ve been in your position, just lead your team. … Stay strong. There’s no better person to get advice from. That was a huge moment for me personally. I was so deep in my thoughts after that game. Getting some words of encouragement to say, it’s OK and it’s part of the process, even though I know it, just hearing from a legend is huge. I kinda changed my ways after that.”

2. Handling Her Emotions

Mühl has learned to handle her emotions and channel them into something positive. “It’s been a weakness in many aspects in which I didn't look at things rationally or I just didn't hold myself accountable or just from being a leader, from that standpoint,” she told CT Insider. “You can't be a leader and be stubborn. You need to think about people around. You need to think about your team, what your team needs. Not what you want.”

3. WNBA Transition

Mühl had a tough decision to make about going from college to the WNBA. “I've never been in a situation with so much pressure, so many eyes looking at you, especially in this program where everybody expects perfection, excellence, wins,” she told CT Insider. “And that's what I kind of learned to expect for myself too and my team. It’s just been a roller coaster of a ride and I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of my teammates for trusting me.”

4. Clean Girl Vibe

Mühl’s beauty style is a ‘clean girl’ vibe. “I learn from my teammates,” she told Women’s Wear Daily. “I have a teammate, Olivia [Nelson-Ododa], who taught me a lot about makeup and fashion. She’s very much into it. She’s older than me, so I was watching. I’m not big on trends. I just like what works for me and I like to try things out, but I’m very passionate about it.”

5. Croatian Casual

Mühl describes her personal style as ‘Croatian casual’. “I was very unique with my style ever since I was a kid,” she told Women’s Wear Daily. “I feel like I would go to school and people would laugh at me for the way I dress. But I didn’t care. My mom told me I look good. I definitely evolved, but I kind of always have that one little thing, that one little piece on me that’s maybe different from what other people would like. I don’t care. I mean, that’s me. I would say [my style is] very edgy, very cool, very masculine and feminine. It depends on how I’m feeling.”

WNBA star Jewell Loyd doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to her workouts. Loyd, 30, shared a video of herself working out in the gym in black sweatpants and a purple shirt, sparring and flexing her biceps. “Back with my guy!!! @foxholecoach #5amclub,” she captioned the high-energy post. Loyd was dubbed the “Gold Mamba” by Kobe Bryant himself—here’s how Loyd is continuing on his work, and what her own training looks like.

1. Meditation and Workouts

Loyd starts the day with meditation and taking her dogs for a one-mile walk. “When it comes to breakfast, I do not hold back,” she told Women’s Health. “I love breakfast, and unless I’m just having a smoothie, I go all out. I love pancakes and waffles, and if it’s game day, I add bacon and eggs. I’ll never skip breakfast. Post-breakfast, I get training. Sometimes I’ll lift weights in the morning, but usually, it’s basketball first to just kind of get my body moving. If I’m starting with lifting, I try to get a nice sweat and get tempos in my lifts, but it doesn’t take me super long to get warm. I always focus most on my shoulders.”

2. PickleBall Star

Loyd has developed an appreciation for pickleball, and even takes part in tournaments. “I start with basketball workouts on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” she told Women’s Health. “On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s pickleball, and that’s a two-hour workout of technique stuff. Lately, I’ve been playing pickleball every day, getting ready for a tournament. My body’s been adjusting to a different sport, but it’s been fun. I grew up playing tennis, so I’m used to the spinning motions, but there really are different muscles being used compared to basketball.”

3. Gold Mamba Workout

Dubbed “Gold Mamba” by Kobe Bryant himself, Loyd created the Gold Mamba Workout to help aspiring ballers in his honor. "Kobe had a lot of information and, in his latest years after he retired, he did a great job of giving that information to the next generation of athletes, regardless of the sport they were in," Loyd told Business Insider. "For me, understanding that and knowing that I have information, I want to do as much as I can to give that back to the next generation."

4. Sleep Habits

Loyd tries to practice good sleep habits. “I'm fairly consistent, but depending on my workout schedule, my sleep fluctuates a little bit,” she told Women’s Health. “I obviously sleep better when I don't have to wake up for that 5:00 lift. But sometimes even when I don’t have to get up that early my sleep is still off because maybe I played an extra game of pick-up the day before or did something else and didn’t recover enough.”

5. Professional Training For All

Loyd says the 94FEETOFGAMEAPP allows Kobe’s legacy to be passed down and appreciated even by people who couldn’t afford one-on-one training. "This app allows people who really don't have resources or don't have a personal trainer to get professional training and advice — the real stuff and not just stuff from some people who don't know anything about the league," Loyd told Business Insider. "They're getting real access to Phil [Handy]— who's been in the league and has trained everyone from Kobe to Kawhi [Leonard] to Kyrie [Irving] — and real information, which is hard to get sometimes, especially for females. So allowing them to have that all in one place in an app is pretty amazing.”