Health Digest 4

‘Everything is better’: how Rubiales’s unwanted kiss transformed Spanish women’s football

Ashifa Kassam European community affairs correspondent — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:00:48 +0000

Football’s reigning world champions – and favourites to win Euro 2025 – have become symbols of women’s fight for equality

For years, they battled on multiple fronts: pushing back against the misogyny, misconduct and mistreatment of their football federation while simultaneously seeking to be the best in the world.

The conflicts of Spain’s women’s team exploded into public view after they won the World Cup in 2023 – a historic triumph that was almost immediately overshadowed by an unwanted kiss on the lips from the country’s football chief.

Women in India don’t want ‘safe zones’ – they want to enjoy public spaces as equals | Nilanjana Bhowmick

Nilanjana Bhowmick — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:00:06 +0000

Segregation does not make going outside any safer or more comfortable for women – it only reinforces the idea that the public sphere belongs to men

A couple of weeks ago, I was in an upmarket neighbourhood in Delhi for a photoshoot. The sun was already unforgiving, and only a handful of walkers and joggers had dared to step out in the heat. A few children, on their summer break from school, gave curious glances in our direction, but they quickly lost interest and returned to their games. Women walking by offered quick looks, but the men stared – every single one who passed us.

Then one went a step further. Mid-shoot, he walked straight up and interrupted us. At first, we smiled – out of habit, out of conditioning – thinking that he would leave. But he didn’t. Instead, his questions turned increasingly personal. From “What are you doing?” to “Do you have an Insta page?” and “Where do you stay?”, the questions grew increasingly intrusive.

‘Completely radical’: how Ms magazine changed the game for women

Monica Uszerowicz — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:22:52 +0000

In a revealing HBO documentary, the women involved with the groundbreaking feminist publication describe the rocky road to progress

The first of July marks the anniversary of Ms magazine’s official inaugural issue, which hit newsstands in 1972 and featured Wonder Woman on its cover, towering high above a city. Truthfully, Ms debuted months earlier, on 20 December 1971, as a 40-page insert in New York magazine, where founding editor Gloria Steinem was a staff writer. Suspecting this might be their only shot, its founders packed the issue with stories like The Black Family and Feminism, De-Sexing the English Language, and We Have Had Abortions, a list of 53 well-known American women’s signatures, including Anaïs Nin, Susan Sontag and Steinem herself. The 300,000 available copies sold out in eight days. The first US magazine founded and operated entirely by women was, naysayers be damned, a success.

The groundbreaking magazine’s history, and its impact on the discourse around second-wave feminism and women’s liberation, is detailed in the HBO documentary Dear Ms: A Revolution in Print, which premiered at this year’s Tribeca film festival. Packed with archival footage and interviews with original staff, contributors and other cultural icons, Dear Ms unfolds across three episodes, each directed by a different film-maker. Salima Koroma, Alice Gu and Cecilia Aldarondo deftly approach key topics explored by the magazine – domestic violence, workplace harassment, race, sexuality – with care, highlighting the challenges and criticisms that made Ms a polarizing but galvanizing voice of the women’s movement.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, launches ‘thoughtful’ collection of wines

Edward Helmore — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:11:09 +0000

Expansion of As Ever product line marks latest foray into lifestyle branding, with wine manufactured in Napa valley

The Duchess of Sussex has announced her latest foray into lifestyle branding, with Meghan expanding her As Ever product line to feature a “thoughtful” collection of wines.

A press release on Tuesday described the first wine to become available as “a light, fresh, and effortlessly celebratory 2023 Napa Valley Rosé, thoughtfully curated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex”.

Living with polycystic ovary syndrome can be difficult and lonely | Letters

Guardian Staff — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:12:09 +0000

The NHS needs to provide better understanding and support for people with the condition, says one reader

Thank you for publishing the article about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff (I was diagnosed with PCOS – and was soon drowning in misinformation, 22 June). It resonated with my experience of diagnosis and frustration at the complete lack of support. I was first tested in my teens and told my blood test was normal. I was retested at 34 when I went to my GP about weight gain and struggling with exhaustion. When I was confirmed to have PCOS I was warned about the health issues, and told the best thing I could do was lose weight, even though this would be very difficult, and to come back when I was struggling to conceive.

Charlie is right: the amount of time and energy I had to put in to try to understand how to be healthy has been a huge drain. Especially sifting through the masses of misinformation. It took me two years and a lot of hard work to understand a diet and exercise plan that worked for me. It’s been difficult and lonely trying to navigate this on my own.

‘A marker of luxury and arrogance’: why gravity-defying boobs are back – and what they say about the state of the world

Jess Cartner-Morley — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 05:00:15 +0000

Breasts have always been political – and right now they’re front and centre again. Is it yet another way in which Trump’s worldview is reshaping the culture?

It was, almost, a proud feminist moment. On inauguration day in January, the unthinkable happened. President Trump, the biggest ego on the planet, was upstaged by a woman in a white trouser suit – the proud uniform of Washington feminists, worn by Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in solidarity with the traditional colour of the suffragettes. In the event, the white trouser suit barely got a mention. The show was stolen by what was underneath: Lauren Sánchez’s cleavage, cantilevered under a wisp of white lace. The breasts of the soon-to-be Mrs Jeff Bezos were the ceremony’s breakout stars. The only talking point that came close was Mark Zuckerberg’s inability to keep his eyes off them.

Call it a curtain raiser for a year in which breasts have been – how to put this? – in your face. Sydney Sweeney’s pair have upstaged her acting career to the point that she wears a sweatshirt that says “Sorry for Having Great Tits and Correct Opinions”. Bullet bras are making a sudden comeback, in sugar-pink silk on Dua Lipa on the cover of British Vogue and nosing keen as shark fins under fine cashmere sweaters at the Miu Miu show at Paris fashion week. Perhaps most tellingly, Kim Kardashian, whose body is her business empire, has made a 180-degree pivot from monetising her famous backside to selling, in her Skims lingerie brand, push-up bras featuring a pert latex nipple – with or without a fake piercing – that make an unmissable point under your T-shirt. Not since Eva Herzigova was in her Wonderbra in 1994 – Hello Boys – have boobs been so, well, big.

What is a deep plane facelift? Nipping into the buzzy cosmetic procedure

Madeleine Aggeler — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:07:57 +0000

Kris Jenner, 69, was recently mistaken for daughter Kendall, 29. Now people are discussing a new, eye-wateringly expensive surgery

For decades, the Kardashian-Jenner clan have pushed the boundaries of onerous beauty standards. Recently, the group’s matriarch, Kris Jenner, set the internet aflutter when she emerged at Lauren Sánchez’s Paris bachelorette party in May looking … different.

Outlets including People, USA Today and Vogue posted urgent bulletins about the almost-septuagenarian’s smooth, taut face. “The 69-year-old ...]has recently been mistaken by fans for her supermodel daughter, Kendall Jenner, 29,” wrote Page Six.

Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: travel trousers – the gateway drug to smart comfy dressing

Jess Cartner-Morley — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:00:30 +0000

Smart casual’s comfier cousin lets you glide seamlessly from a long plane journey and into a work meeting

Forget smart casual. These days it’s smart comfy that I want. Smart casual was about making smart clothes look more relaxed; smart comfy is about making them feel more relaxed.

Smart comfy might not sound all that different to smart casual, but it is nothing short of a whole new perspective on getting dressed. Smart casual was about how to look smart, without looking stuffy. It was about how you looked to other people, more than how you felt in yourself. The goal was to appear chill, not to feel chill.

Sali Hughes on beauty: You’ll be good to glow with the latest facial self-tanners | Sali Hughes

Sali Hughes — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 09:00:09 +0000

No time for a full body tan? These will give your face a summery boost

While body tanning products are, for me, mostly for special occasions (who has the time?), facial self-tanners are a staple in my routine year-round. A twice-weekly application gives me a summery, glowing look and allows me to enjoy light or no makeup in the heat.

The new St Tropez Sunlit Skin Self Tan Express (£29) develops very quickly (around two to three hours), but not so dramatically that my usual makeup looks odd by midmorning. It’s tinted, which provides instant gratification and is helpful in providing a visible guide for application and blending. The addition of glycerin gives a plump, hydrated finish. My only minor gripe is that it doesn’t love all of my concealers, and pills slightly under anything more vigorous than a tap, but it looks so nice on its own that I am happy to go lightly thereafter.

Some people can wear white clothes. I am very much not one of them | Zoe Williams

Zoe Williams — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 10:00:52 +0000

My talent for attracting coffee stains and mud splatters brings misery to my friends – especially the ones who lend me their pristine white shirts

I have a friend who curates her wardrobe pretty carefully – there’s nothing in it she doesn’t wear – and consequently she gives, sells or lends me a lot of things, and her taste is nonpareil so I never say no. Maybe one item in 10 is white, which unleashes dismay: she has to watch while I stain a pair of cream jeans she has kept pristine for five years, as fast as you can say, “Ooh, what’s this delicious salad dressing?”

Once, I splashed mud all the way up the back of a skirt she’d given me while she was cycling behind me, saying, “We’ve really got to get you some mudguards if you want to wear white.” Once, I got Tabasco sauce on her white bra, which was fine because who would see it? And yet, not fine, because how do you get sauce on your bra? Once, I spilled espresso down a white shirt, and that ain’t never coming out – but it actually wasn’t hers, it was her mother’s, so I’d trashed three decades of spotlessness in a moment.

11 Amazon Workout Clothes, From Editor-Tested Leggings to Bestselling Tops

Marisa Petrarca — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:00:04 +0000

Amazon has become our go-to retailer for virtually anything we need, including wellness deals. From editor-reviewed fitness products to home workout items and running shoes, we've researched and personally tested hundreds of items.

Amidst its extensive offerings, we've also discovered that it's a goldmine for budget-friendly, top-notch workout attire. Covering a diverse spectrum of workouts, including (but not limited to) Pilates, yoga, running, and HIIT, the online platform boasts a hearty array of reasonably-priced matching workout sets and essentials catering to all budgets.

To simplify your hunt for quality activewear that deserves a spot in your wardrobe, we've compiled a list of the best workout clothes on Amazon. We've uncovered hidden gems that our editorial team has tested and adored, plus lots of options that are highly-rated and others that are on sale. Keep reading to shop our favorites, including two- and three-piece sets guaranteed to draw compliments, sports bras for every type of training, and, of course, some of Amazon's most sought-after leggings.

Our Favorite Workout Clothes to Shop on Amazon

Affordable (and buttery soft!) leggings that are editor-approved: Colorfulkoala High Waisted Yoga Pants at $25
Amazon's bestselling compression shirt is also a spot-on, luxury-brand dupe: MathCat Seamless Workout Shirt at $28
These popular running shorts comes in tons of colors: BMJL Women's Athletic Shorts at $25

How We Test the Best Workout Clothes on Amazon

The workout clothes we chose for the list below combine comfort and style with excellent performance and have gained rave reviews from our editors who have tested them as well as Amazon customers.

Comfort - Is the material soft? Does the waistband fall down?
Performance - Does it offer enough support? Is the material squat proof?
Style - Is the design flattering? Could it double as daywear?
Extra features - Does it have a zippered pocket or thumbholes?

Whether you're training for a marathon or hitting the pickle ball court, these are the Amazon workout clothes you'll need in your rotation. See the editor-tested favorites and bestselling workout pieces Amazon customers are snatching up in multiple colors.

Update on June 23, 2025 at 2:45PM ET: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

How Much Do NFL Cheerleaders Make? Inside Their Long Fight For Fair Pay

Molly Longman — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:30:02 +0000

I'm afraid I ruined Sydney Ertl's day.

When we connected on the phone on a Tuesday, the college senior was on a high. Just a few days before, her University of Minnesota cheerleading squad had placed seventh out of 21 in their division, Group Stunt, at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) & Universal Dance Association (UDA) College Nationals, a national cheer competition that hosted over 300 universities.

But our conversation wasn't about that. Instead, I was calling to ask her about her perspective on the state of NFL cheerleaders' wages - which is, according to many former cheerleaders, bleak. Pro cheerleaders can make as little as $12 an hour for games.

Ertl already knew that the NFL cheerleaders' salaries were "disappointing." But as we talked numbers, I could almost feel her spirits, which had been so high as she told me about her team's recent win, sink.

Professional cheerleading has been under the spotlight since the initial release of Netflix's "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" in 2024. The seven-part series briefly touches on the DCCs' low wages, and the figures named are made all the more shocking by the revelations around the squad's intense audition and training process. With the release of season 2, the conversation has bubbled up again after veteran dancer Megan McElaney revealed that the cheerleaders received a "life-changing" 400 percent raise. Sounds like a lot? But then you have to think about how much (or how little) they were making to begin with.

My conversation with Ertl was a harsh reminder that it's nearly impossible to make a living in the sport she loves. This truth is not just sad. It's frustrating and baffling to folks like Ertl, who know just how much work goes into cheerleading. While many NFL football players make millions per season, cheerleaders are making pennies - and sometimes even paying for their own pom poms.

How Much Money Do NFL Cheerleaders Make, Exactly?

The NFL is so rich it's difficult to comprehend just how much money they're actually worth. The average NFL team valuation is $5.11 billion, with the aggregate value of the whole league sitting at a pretty $163 billion, according to Forbes.

NFL football player salaries also range from comfortably to staggeringly high. In 2021, the highest-paid NFL football player made $87 million in pretax earnings, per Forbes. While non-"star" players earn quite a bit less, the average annual salary of NFL football players in 2023 was still estimated at about $4.5 million for an offensive player, $3.8 million for a defensive player, and $1.9 million for a special teams player, per Spotrac, which claims to be the largest player and team contract resource on the internet.

Against that backdrop, cheerleading salaries are indefensibly low - especially considering that they're so instrumental to the game experience and team's brand building, and help put dollars in the NFL's pockets.

In the first episode of "America's Sweethearts," former DCC Katherine Puryear says, "I would say I'm making like a Chick-fil-A worker that works full time." Later, on TikTok, Puryear elaborates that she was paid a flat fee per game and appearance, plus an hourly rate. Puryear added that the flat fees depends on "tenure," or how many years you've been cheering, with first years making substantially less than fifth years and above. Practices are paid an hourly rate for about three to four hours of work. (She declined to give specific numbers in her TikTok, saying she was concerned her contract might prohibit her from doing so.)

As for the hard numbers: in one oft-quoted article from 2014, The Atlantic writer Olga Khazan stated that cheerleaders for various teams earn anywhere from $75 to $150 per game.

In 2021, Mhkeeba Pate, a former NFL cheerleader and host of the Pro Cheerleading Podcast, did her own small, informal salary survey, polling cheerleaders through her platform and talking about the results on her channels. She received responses from cheerleaders from nine out of the 24 NFL teams that have cheer squads, including folks in the American Football Conference (AFC) North, AFC East, AFC South, the National Football Conference (NFC) South, NFC East, and NFC West.

In the responses she received, cheerleaders reported earning anywhere from $12 to $20 an hour for games, and from $10 to $16 an hour for practices. How many hours cheerleaders work may vary. Teams rehearse anywhere from two to five nights a week (starting well before football season), for at least three to four hours per night, according to information in various teams' cheerleader FAQs posted online. They're typically working full days on home game days (of which there are about 10 per season), and are often asked to show up several hours before kickoff. In her TikTok, Puryear says game days can be 11 hours long. They're also responsible for as many as 20 to 50 other appearances per season, which may be paid as well; on TikTok, Puryear said that for DCC at least, these appearances are voluntary.

As Puryear noted, captains and veterans might earn more than other members of the squad, and super popular cheer teams may pay a little more in general. In Pate's survey, for example, one cheerleader reported making $500 per game, $30 an hour per practice, and $150 an hour for media appearances or events where she represented the team; Pate speculated that this person cheered for a well-known squad. (Tina Kalina, who cheered as a DCC back in 1989, said in the first episode of "America's Sweethearts" that, "I think my game day fee was $35, and we basically donated that back." But things seem to have improved since then.)

Meanwhile, in June 2023, Travis Kelce told Vanity Fair that he was "underpaid" … he reportedly makes an annual salary of $14.3 million via his four-year contract with the Chiefs, and has made $65 million in his playing career. (A spokesperson for Kelce didn't respond to an email request for comment.)

Cheerleaders reported earning anywhere from $12 to $20 an hour for games, and from $10 to $16 an hour for practices.

"When you contrast what the women don't get paid versus what the men do get paid, it's shocking," says Nicole LaVoi, PhD, the director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport and a senior lecturer at the University of Minnesota. "The cheerleaders are athletes who are part of the game experience - and they should be paid accordingly."

Cheerleaders' salaries not only place them below NFL football players, but also practice squad members, who "earned at least $117,300 per season," and sometimes even mascots, who "earned anywhere from $25,000 to $65,000 per year (plus benefits)," a document in a 2017 lawsuit against NFL Enterprises notes.

Why Do NFL Cheerleaders Make So Little?

Professional cheerleading is considered a part-time job, which means many NFL cheerleaders rely on a second job to cover their bills, Pate says. Some squads even require their members to have another job or to be in school.

"Teams are pretty up front that the role of being an NFL cheerleader is a part-time job, so that it's understood that they would have to supplement income with another part-time or full-time job," Pate says, who had a full-time job in law while cheerleading from 2011 to 2017. "It also is a big bragging point for a lot of cheerleading teams that promote that their cheerleaders are not just professional dancers - that they actually have careers as accountants, engineers, teachers. . . . They don't squarely acknowledge that a cheerleader could never live off of the wages because it has historically never been the intention to pay them a livable salary."

Yet, it's no easy feat to find a second job flexible enough to accommodate the grueling schedules of professional cheerleaders. A team's "official" practice schedule may already be multiple nights a week, for several hours a night; but squad members may be asked to attend additional rehearsals, and they're also expected to practice on their own time. Add in travel to and from practice venues and games, and additional appearances - it adds up.

"When you contrast what the women don't get paid versus what the men do get paid, it's shocking," says Nicole LaVoi, PhD

So do the costs required to be on a pro squad. Many professional cheerleaders have free access to a gym, but they may pay for at least a portion of their own uniforms, professional portraits, and travel to practices and games.

Professional attire is required for events where they're representing their team, Pate adds, noting that there are many "look"-related expenses. The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader FAQs have two sections devoted to hair and makeup recommendations, including a suggestion of a specific salon to go to (along with a link to the salon's pricing).

As New England Patriots cheerleader Taylor Yeley posted on TikTok: "It's a part-time job, but a full-time commitment. Everyone on the team either has another job or is a student. I have two side jobs - I'm a dance teacher and a fitness instructor." On TikTok, Puryear echoed the same sentiment, saying, "It's like a full-time commitment, part-time pay. So it's a good part-time job; we do a lot of work."

But, she adds, "It's something that I'd probably do for free."

It's a sentiment many cheerleaders understand. But the "dream job" effect can keep cheerleaders from feeling able to advocate for themselves.

Give Me a … Living Wage

In the past decade, there have been several lawsuits and attempts to unionize to address pay equity. In some ways, things seem to have gotten better. In 2012, a member of the Buffalo Jills (the former cheer squad for the Buffalo Bills) said she was paid only $105 for 840 hours of work, and had to pay $650 for her uniform. In 2013, a dancer for the Raiderettes said in a lawsuit she was paid less than $5 per hour for her work. Held against those outrageous numbers making $10 to $20 an hour for 12 to 20 hours of work a week can feel like a major improvement. But true progress has been glacial.

That's, in part, because cheer is a sport of love, not money. "[Cheerleaders] just want to be able to dance - it's what they waited their whole lives to achieve, and this is the highest level that you can go," Pate says. "So doing something that could result in your team disappearing is not something you'll take lightly."

She isn't exaggerating. Past attempts at winning fair pay have gone poorly enough to scare off others from attempting similar fights. In 2014, for instance, the Buffalo Jills filed a lawsuit as a path to equity. In response, the Bills completely discontinued the squad two days after the filing. The Jills haven't made a comeback, and no longer cheer at Bills games.

"People understand there's a lot of risk involved," Pate says.

Plus, cheerleading is incredibly competitive. "That messaging of: 'There are people dying to be in your place?' I think that shoves down thoughts of advocating for more," Pate notes. "You realize that you're lucky and this is an experience of a lifetime."

As Dr. LaVoi puts it: "This preys on people's hopes and dreams."

But unequal pay has far-reaching and less obvious consequences. The low salary leaves people out, for one. Cheer has had a long history of diversity issues, and while the teams have gotten better at including folks of different races and genders - and the Harper’s Bazaar. “I like to be able to move my forehead.”

Coco Khan is a freelance writer and co-host of the politics podcast Pod Save the UK

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

Move on from a bad workplace | Brief letters

Guardian Staff — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 15:44:44 +0000

Equality at work | Escaping Trump | Well good language | Fried and roasted

Re Zoe Williams’s article (MI6 has appointed its first female leader. What took it so long?, 16 June), after being told by my (new, younger, male) boss that I was “motherly” and “aggressive”, I handed in my notice. Shame I had to leave the job I loved, but better that than working for dickheads. If they’re not interested in you, it is not worth trying to change them from within. Move on to where you are appreciated; good workplaces do exist.
Sarah Jackson
London

• While not wishing to doubt the sincerity of Marci Shore, who said “The lesson of 1933 is you get out sooner rather than later”, and her fellow professors, should they not be anticipating the lesson of 1938 and move further away from the US than Canada (Why a professor of fascism left the US: ‘The lesson of 1933 is – you get out’, 16 June)?
Robert Arrowsmith
Blackburn, Lancashire

I was diagnosed with PCOS – and was soon drowning in misinformation

Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 13:00:40 +0000

From medically unqualified influencers pushing expensive supplements online, to nurses peddling myths about pregnancy, I had to find out all I could about my condition myself. This is what I’ve learned

I suspected I had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) long before it was confirmed. The signs were there: the acne scars that littered my back, the irregular periods, the hair in places on my body that I didn’t see on many of my friends. I suspected it from the moment that one of my best friends, who as a girl taught me about bleaching my body hair and waxing my legs, was diagnosed with it as a teenager.

Admitting all this publicly feels like an unburdening, but also an invitation to more shame. But I write this because my experience is far from unique. As many as one in 10 women have PCOS, a condition associated with hormonal disturbances that can range from weight gain, “unwanted” body hair and hair loss, to irregular periods and struggles to conceive children (including an increased risk of miscarriage). It can leave women more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. It is not clear what causes PCOS, but it is known to be passed down generational lines and can be influenced by lifestyle.

She flew hazardous fighter planes for Britain during WW2. She just turned 106

Amanda Ulrich in Carlsbad, California — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 14:00:11 +0000

Californian Nancy Miller Stratford’s fiance forbade her from going to join the war effort. But her dream was to fly – so she broke off the engagement and went anyway

Nancy Miller Stratford sat alone behind the controls of a Spitfire fighter plane, charting an uncertain course through an impenetrable clot of dark clouds.

On the horizon, the young pilot could see a promising patch of daylight, “like the devil waving his hand to come on through”. But just as suddenly as the sky opened up, the clouds closed in again.

Campaign for statue of British suffragette hero is hit by funding crisis

Amelia Hill — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:02:54 +0000

Organisers seek an extra £40,000 for a memorial to Mary Clarke, the first suffragette to die for women’s rights

The campaign to commemorate the first suffragette to die for women’s rights is facing a funding crisis.

Mary Clarke, who was the sister of Emmeline Pankhurst, helped found the Women’s Social and Political Union and was imprisoned three times.

The Best Bodysuits For Working Out, According to Editors and Celebrities

Kyley Warren — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 20:10:19 +0000

Workout bodysuits may seem impractical compared to your regular ol' leggings and sports bras, but ballet dancers, gymnasts, trainers, and countless other athletes have been moving freely in leotards for as long as we can remember. If you love workouts like yoga, barre, or Pilates, wearing a workout one-piece will make you feel elegant as you break a sweat, all while providing a chic and confidence-boosting fit. Plus, with today's technical fabrics, brands are making workout bodysuits that can withstand higher-impact exercises, including running.

Whether you're looking to start a new exercise routine, get motivated with some new workout clothes, or just want to look cute post-workout, now is the time to invest in the perfect workout onesie. These nine picks are just as functional as they are fashionable, each one made to move with you for a workout class or just for lounging around the house. Either way, every workout one-piece is a full outfit - no matching sets required.

Our selection includes everything from a pick Tracee Ellis Ross relies on to get her through workouts to a strappy, sexy style that will keep you cool while you hit the gym. We even found a maternity onesie for your prenatal sweat sessions. Keep reading to shop our picks for the best one-piece workout bodysuits, and get ready to tackle the gym in style.

Hey, So That's Not the French Open Trophy Coco Gauff Actually Took Home

Chandler Plante — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 20:05:02 +0000

We're all guilty of a little embellishing from time to time. But the French Tennis Federation has some explaining to do. On June 7, Coco Gauff officially won the French Open, beating opponent Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final. In the midst of her celebration, Gauff proudly posed next to a massive silver trophy. The shining silver cup (called the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy) looked heavy in her hands. But as the champion later revealed, the one she actually got to take home was a bit different from the one she held on the court.

"This is the trophy that you guys see - the one that we take pictures with, do press with, and all that, but actually, we don't get to take this home," Gauff says in a TikTok posted on June 8. In actuality, the large trophy athletes hold on TV stays with the French Tennis Federation year after year. Instead, winners are sent home with their own smaller version . . . like much smaller. "It's like a mini replica," Gauff explains, showing off her tiny trophy on TikTok. For a better size comparison, she puts the trophy up against her mini Perrier bottle (which typically stands at around 5.75 inches). The trophy is only a little taller.

@cocogauff
fun fact! #rolandgarros
♬ original sound - Coco Gauff

"Not the sippy cup for the CHAMPION."

There's a few reasons why Gauff (and other winners before her) aren't allowed to take the actual trophy home. Namely, the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen is considered a "perpetual trophy," which means the original is meant to be kept, preserved, and displayed. Another important note is that the actual trophy is fashioned with an enormous amount of silver. For reference, the Musketeers' cup - awarded to the male winner of the French Open - is made with roughly 31 pounds of silver). That's a whole lot of metal.

The replicas, albeit smaller and significantly less valuable, are made from the same jewelry house, Mellerio dits Meller. Champions also have their names engraved on the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, where it can continue to be protected and safely displayed for years to come.

Still, commenters were equal parts amused and taken aback by Gauff's candid reveal. "Not the sippy cup for the CHAMPION," one person writes. "That's disappointing as hell," another says. But for Gauff, it's the title that matters - not the size of the trophy. "That's how small it is, but it's the memories that matter the most," she says on TikTok. On the bright side, the take-home trophy is surprisingly portable, lightweight, and, dare we say practical? In all honesty, maybe it's better that it's on the smaller side. That way it won't take up too much space as Gauff continues to dominate.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.

These TikTokers Exercised 9 Hours a Day For 3.5 Months - Here’s What Happened

Lauren Mazzo — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:30:02 +0000

Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger (better known as the @ThruHikers) are always down for an adventure. Back in 2022 they decided to do something different, documenting a big trip through a canoeing and hiking route called the Pacific Northwest Circuit (PNC). In just 106 days, they covered over 2,700 miles, all while sharing their journey with an avid TikTok audience of over two million people.

The couple did not hold back any details. They thoroughly explained how they planned and dehydrated their meals, how they crossed streams and carried their canoe, and even how Miller managed her period while on the trail.

These videos proved incredibly informative, but one of the couple's most popular videos from this time was a TikTok detailing exactly how their bodies changed throughout their journey. In the October 2022 TikTok, Miller and Beissinger explain what happened to their bodies after exercising for an average of nine hours and 15 minutes per day for three and a half months straight. The video has since amassed over seven million views and one million likes. Read on to get all the details, plus some of the couple's biggest takeaways.

What Exercise Did They Do?

After watching the two take on such an immense physical challenge, more than one commenter wanted to know: "How much weight did you lose?" So, Miller and Beissinger detailed exactly how that much exercise changed their bodies - and their message was beyond refreshing. "A lot of people asked if we lost weight - that was a common question we got on our videos," Miller tells PS. "But we realized it was more than just weight loss. Our bodies were changing."

"It was more than just weight loss. Our bodies were changing."

Miller and Beissinger's PNC route first involved hiking about 1,600 miles across 72.5 days, from northwest Washington State up into Canada (that's about 20 miles per day). Then, they paddled a canoe back along the entire Columbia River out to the Pacific Ocean, covering about 1,200 miles in another 33.5 days (about 35 miles per day).

What Was Their Diet Like?

"Something else we've documented on both of these hikes, that a lot of people on TikTok watched, was how much we eat in a day when we're out there," Beissinger tells PS. "This is not a weight-loss trip; it's more of an eat-everything-in-sight trip," he adds, estimating that he was eating about 4,000 calories every day just to fuel the journey physically. In the beginning, Beissinger and Miller say they struggled to eat enough. At first, the sheer amount of exercise makes you less hungry, Beissinger says. But "after two months of being out there, you're just always hungry and always needing more," Miller says.

How Did Their Bodies Change?

The couple detailed how walking for so long flattened their feet (they were both a full shoe size bigger by the end); how being outside gave them tans despite wearing sunscreen; how bushwhacking left them with random cuts and bruises; and how walking and paddling gave them blisters, then calluses on their feet and hands.

They also acknowledged that, over the course of their journey, they both lost almost all of their body fat and "started looking pretty scrawny," as Beissinger says in the TikTok. But they built muscle, too. First in their legs while they were mostly hiking, then in their arms during the canoe portion of the trip.

After about a week of paddling, Beissinger says he actually shocked himself while changing his shirt. "There was this giant growth on my arm, which was my muscle," Beissinger laughs. "I felt like a muscle man. It really surprised me when I realized my muscles were growing in directions that they've never grown in before." Ultimately, they both came home just five pounds lighter, since they'd lost a lot of body fat but gained a lot of muscle.

What Happened Afterwards?

The two were careful to point out that these changes weren't permanent. "Now, we're both back at work sitting in front of computers all day. It's unrealistic to maintain the bodies we've built, but we try to stay fit between trips by exercising outdoors at least once a day," Beissinger said on TikTok.

Still, the Thru Hikers say their transition back to desk jobs wasn't easy. "There's a phenomenon that people call the 'post-trail blues', which is when you switch from being out on one of these super long-distance trails," Beissinger says. "You're just so happy. It's so fun. And then normal life can feel mundane and tedious."

He was still going through this adjustment period as of November 2022. "When you hike 25 miles a day every day, you always feel like you've accomplished something," Beissinger says. "At work, some days I feel like I've accomplished something, and other days, I feel like I didn't. That's just part of life, but it can be hard getting used to that again."

And yes, losing his muscle-man physique since returning has been sad . . . but it was also expected. "It's fun to feel like a superhero when it comes to fitness," Beissinger says. "But as we said in that video, we accept that that's not realistic and that's not a good ideal to strive for because we can't - nobody can - look like they're at their peak fitness 365 days of the year."

Takeaways

The couple's candid approach to the weight-loss question is refreshing. Especially when you consider all the fitfluencers telling us that exercise needs to be, first and foremost, a tool for weight loss. The Thru Hikers' message serves as a reminder that, for many people, movement is not just a way to change your physique. In fact, it can (and should) be fulfilling in and of itself. Not to mention, bodies will fluctuate (as will your activity level), and that's OK. You don't even have to hike 2,700+ miles to know that.

- Additional reporting by Chandler Plante

Lauren Mazzo was the senior fitness editor at PS. She is a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist through the American Council on Exercise.

11 Editor-Loved Gym Bags With Shoe Compartments

Kalea Martín — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:28:02 +0000

Maybe you stash an empty grocery bag in your duffel so you can store sweaty cross-training shoes after a workout. Or perhaps you tie the laces to the outside of your backpack so your shoes don't have to go in your bag at all. Whatever your solution, chances are you don't like having your dirty sneakers kicking around your gym bag alongside your clean clothes. The good news is, there's a simple alternative (and it doesn't involve any DIY contraptions).

If you want to keep your workout gear clean and organized, all you really need is a proper gym bag. Whether you're carrying cycling shoes to your local spin studio, or storing a pair of sneakers to change into after work, a gym bag with a shoe compartment is a total game changer.

That said, shopping for the perfect gym bag is challenging enough, and finding one that also has a shoe compartment can be even harder. If you're not sure where to start, you've come to the right place. After scouring the web, reading customer reviews, and seeking out recommendations from experts, we've narrowed down 11 of the best gym bags with shoe compartments. Now, it's up to you to decide which one fits your needs the best. Shop our favorites ahead, and see which bag you'll be adding to your cart.

97 Gym Captions For Instagram to Show Off the Perfect Workout Selfie

Toria Clarke — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:15:02 +0000

Never underestimate the power of a good gym pic. We're of the opinion that after a hard workout, you deserve to share a subtle social media flex. After all, gym selfies allow you to post your gains, get inspired by the fitness community, and show off your progress. If it's not a mirror selfie documenting your matching workout set, it might be a photo gallery filled with plenty of workout motivation. The most difficult part of the post - besides working up the courage to actually take a picture at the gym - is coming up with the right caption.

While those workout endorphins can inspire a bright idea every now and then, other times, your brain might be too exhausted to think of any witty gym captions. Maybe you're finally ready to share all those sweaty selfies and progress pics, but you just don't know what to say. Or perhaps you're struggling to describe your latest running photos. Either way, we're here to help.

To make the brainstorming easier, we came up with a long list of gym captions to inspire you and your feed, helping you spread some motivation, show off your hard work, or simply chronicle your latest sweat sesh. Consider your next post a way to document a workout well done . . . and if a bunch of likes and nice comments come rolling in, that's just an added bonus.

Funny Gym Captions

Get inspired with these workout captions for the gym - whether you're looking for something funny, empowering, or a little bit of both.

Working out for whatever Megan Thee Stallion is training for.
Actually, my job - it's just gym. #iamkenough
Feeling peachy.

I Tested New York's Referral-Only Tera Pilates Studio - Here’s My Honest Take

Micaela English — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:15:02 +0000

When it comes to New York City fitness studios, I liken myself to a seasoned sleuth - a PI for the Pilates era. I've emerged from inferno-esque mat classes, shed tears, exorcised inner demons, and unleashed cathartic screams in pursuit of that euphoric post-workout buzz everyone is talking about.

And while I revel in testing the buzziest NYC "it" classes and avant-garde methods, those usually aren't the ones I return to. When it comes to consistency, I'm a firm believer in the notion that our habits shape the story of our lives. So I go back to the studios with good vibes (ie, no stressed check-in or locker-room energy) - the ones that leave me feeling stronger in my body at 40. In the content economy and noise pollution we're faced with on a daily basis, these 45- to 55-minute classes are a chance for me to tune out the world and tune in to my body. And of all the workout genres I've tried in my 17 years of New York living, no practice has sculpted my body and liberated my mind like reformer Pilates. This is the workout that's stuck for me, freeing me from years of barre-class fatigue (for the other barre lovers out there, I see you and invite you to try adding a reformer Pilates class to your routine).

Turns out, I'm not alone in discovering the magic of Pilates, as I live in a city that now has as many Pilates studios as trending latte flavors. But amidst the list of studios to try, there's one on repeat within my fitness circle: the referral-only, wait-listed Tera Pilates. Describing its format as athletic contemporary Pilates, Tera offers up a hardcore workout whose results would inspire a Michelangelo sculpture, in a friendly, chic setting. It's the brainchild of Pilates instructor Georgia Wood Murphy - a former college athlete, avid Pilates student, and corporate consultant who transitioned to teaching in 2020 in Houston. After moving to New York, she maintained her corporate gig while still teaching. She worked at several studios downtown before leaving her corporate career to open Tera in 2024.

The name Tera was derived from the Latin word statera, which means balance, a concept Murphy says is intrinsic to everything she does. She explains, "Tera is rooted in balance - it's in our name, our DNA, it's in everything we do."

But does the studio really live up to the hype? Read on for my thoughts.

What sets Tera apart?

1. A referral-only, intimate community

Tera's appeal starts with its small community (the studio's membership is currently full, but it does have a wait list). Smaller classes ensure individual attention and avoid the typical stressed-out NYC fitness class vibes. "I created the environment that I needed when I moved to New York - a small community that goes beyond mindful movement, fostered by our intimate practice," Murphy says.

Tera isn't just a community, though - it's a club. "For the 'club' aspect," Murphy shares, "we also offer mat classes at Fouquet's, EMS [electrical muscle stimulation] workouts in the studio, and other exclusive happenings. Because we're a smaller, boutique studio, you see the same faces each week. Small talk often leads to friendships."

The studio also has an online studio membership at $45 a month, with a mix of mat and reformer Pilates, plus "focus area" classes.

2. The studio itself

The studio, tucked away in an unmarked SoHo walkup, feels like the home of a secret society. You'll know you're there when you spot the signature garnet-red door. Inside, light floods the space via skylights and large windows. The decor and details are expertly curated by Murphy; think Byredo Tulipe hand lotion, Sidia products, Happier Grocer soap in the bathroom, and a calming color palette.

What Is the Tera Workout Like?

I'm a 40-year-old intermediate Pilates student and highly active individual. But Tera offered up an unexpected, hardcore burn. I took four classes, and each was formatted differently, which kept it fresh and interesting. These were some of my favorite aspects of the class:

The abs series is killer.

Each class began with a muscle-trembling, "I don't think I can make it" abs series. Remarkably, I loved each one, and I usually despise the abs portion of a class. What sets Tera apart here is the variety and pace, which kept me engaged. We used gray pilates balls for supportive crunches, added resistance handles for an arm bonus, and maneuvered our bodies every which way in tabletop position. Just when I thought it was over, the instructor would add, "And we're gonna hold that curl and little pulses, up an inch, down an inch." At the point of pure fatigue, we'd switch to the next abs exercise.

Nothing beats the chair burn.

Every class included the Pilates chair, aka the Wunda Chair, a wooden piece of equipment with a pedal step. This was a new experience for me, even though I've been to many other Pilates studios. It felt like an additional core, arm, and oblique burn, deceptively easy in the first few seconds and then growing increasingly challenging and sweat-inducing.

Every exercise counts.

Tera's reformer lunges are unlike any other studio's lunges - they included ankle weights paired with swirly hand weights that looked like Keith Haring art. The lunges are full-body focused; I immediately felt them in my inner thighs, glutes, and traps. But my favorite exercise of the whole class was during the arms portion; it used a wooden roll-down bar that's connected to springs. You mimic kneading sourdough while positioned on the side of the reformer in a squat position, and my triceps burned like no other.

The jumpboard was both joyful and effective.

One of the best parts of class was the jumpboard section; the board was magically placed at the end of the reformer while I was doing chair. This segment of the class was the cardio and plyometric section and gave me an endorphin-boosting, childlike feeling. The jumpboard is the Pilates version of a trampoline: you push off the board for a cardio boost, but you're simultaneously working your core and glutes, with cathartic karate kicks and booty-building bounces. For an additional resistance challenge, we wore ankle weights during jumpboard. This went from "Wheeee!" to "When is this over?" within three reps. All I can say is, OW.

Is Tera Pilates Worth It?

After four classes, my abs feel like they've been corseted by a Skims bodysuit, and it's not just the abs - it's the sneaky inner thighs and triceps that have also started talking to me again. If you can get off the wait list (or don't mind streaming the classes at home), Tera Pilates is for anyone who relishes a kickass workout with a high-vibe aura. Also, the online classes look bomb and I will be trying them out during my summer travel. Who knew getting stronger could feel so damn chic?

Micaela English (she/her) is a lifestyle writer based in Brooklyn who's passionate about travel trends, beauty, sobriety, and wellness-based longevity. Micaela spent six years as an editor at Town & Country and has since written for Vogue, Glamour, Oprah Daily, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Well+Good, Quest, and more.

Is Orangetheory Worth the Price Tag? Here's What Each Membership Costs

Melissa Willets — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:30:11 +0000

Orangetheory Fitness has a seriously dedicated fanbase - and for good reason. The popular group fitness classes combine the personalized attention of a one-on-one training session with the camaraderie of a team workout. Add in target heart rate zones, and you've got a workout that's challenging, effective, and fun (if not a little competitive). That said . . . how much does it cost?

For context, a signature Orangetheory class is 60 minutes long with three distinct parts: rowing, treadmill, and floor work. Depending on the programming for the day, you might start on the rowing machine, then choose between the treadmill, bike, or strider (similar to an elliptical). The floor work section is all about strength training, with TRX suspension straps and free weights.

Throughout the interval-based workout, Orangetheory utilizes heart rate monitors to track your level of exertion (your "zone"). The goal is to train within the "orange zone" (aka 84 to 91 percent of your maximum heart rate) for 12 minutes or more. Sound like something you want to try? Before snagging a membership of your own, here's everything to know about Orangetheory pricing, from membership costs to additional gear.

How Much Is Orangetheory?

Orangetheory boasts over 1,300 locations across the US. Consequently, pricing is partially based on location. There's several different membership packages to choose from, including Class Packs, Basic, Elite, and Premier, but prices vary depending on where you live.

Thankfully, Orangetheory offers "digital joins," meaning you can become a member (or inquire about pricing) without having to visit the studio in person. Participating studios will give you the option to "Join Now" on their website. From there, you can see the various membership options, prices, and benefits.

To give you a better sense of Orangetheory pricing, we asked an Orangetheory representative to share some averages. Keep in mind that these are just estimates - for more specific numbers, it's best to contact a studio rep or check the price of your local Orangetheory online. No matter the location, you can always book your first class for free to see how you like the class structure. OTF also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure you love your new membership.

Class Packs ($199-499): If you're new to OTF, you can try a package of 10 classes for $199 and up, 20 classes for $359 and up, or 30 classes for $499 and up. Prices vary by location.
Basic Membership ($69-119 a Month): This membership tier gives you four classes per month, plus discounted add-on classes.
Elite Membership ($109-199 a Month): This membership comes with eight classes per month, plus discounted add-on classes.
Premier Membership ($169-279 a Month): The top membership at OTF, this gives you unlimited classes every month. At the moment, OTF is also offering discounted Premier memberships for your first month.

Note that Orangetheory prices are higher at premium locations such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, and Dallas. For example, in Manhattan, an Elite membership costs $199 a month and Premier costs a cool $279. While you can technically use your OTF membership at any location in the country, there may be an additional surcharge depending on where you're visiting. That said, no matter which membership you go for, there's no annual contract, and you can choose to take additional classes at a discounted rate once you purchase a membership.

Additional Orangetheory Costs

Beyond the membership fees, there are a few other Orangetheory costs to keep in mind. For starters, there's an 8-hour cancellation policy for all Orangetheory locations. That means if you can't make it to a reserved class time, you can choose another class time that day. Otherwise, there's an estimated $12 charge for Premier members, or a lost class session for Elite members, Basic members, or class package holders.

To make the most of Orangetheory's workouts you'll also need a heart-rate monitor. OTF uses its own brand to connect to the displays during class as well as the Orangetheory app. You can buy an Orangetheory heart rate monitor ($119) or rent one for $5 to $10 per class. Otherwise, you can use your own smartwatch, fitness tracker, or heart-rate monitor to keep track of your heart rate. The only thing is that non-OTF devices won't earn you "Splat Points," display your data during class, or log your data in the Orangetheory app.

OTF also sells its own merch. You can stock up on fitness equipment or rep your Orangetheory pride with collaborations from brands like lululemon and Nike. We especially like this OTF belt bag ($45) and splat point baseball cap ($15).

Is Orangetheory Worth the Price?

Orangetheory prices might seem steep at first, but remember you're getting access to a plethora of fitness machines you likely don't have at home. That's not to mention the real-time biofeedback, encouragement from top-notch coaches, and boutique gym atmosphere (which can be a nice break from a big box gym). OTF also has tons of community workout events for members, including the Orangetheory DriTri.

"For me, the coaches are a large reason why I love Orangetheory as much as I do," PS editor Taylor Andrews says in her full review (having taken over 250 OTF classes herself). "The energy they bring to a class is indescribable until you experience it for yourself."

- Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo, Mirel Zaman, Jade Esmeralda, Angela Elias, and Chandler Plante

Melissa Willets is a PS contributor.

Mirel Zaman (she/her) is the former PS health and fitness director. She has over 15 years of experience working in the health and wellness space, covering fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, food and nutrition, spirituality, family and parenting, culture, and news.

Lauren Mazzo was the senior fitness editor at PS. She is a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist through the American Council on Exercise. Prior to joining PS, she worked for six years as a writer and editor for Shape Magazine covering health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, sex and relationships, beauty, and astrology. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Journalism and minors in Writing and Honors, with additional studies in gender, sex, and love.

Jade Esmeralda (she/her), MS, CSCS, was a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.

Angela Elias (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping, where she reviews everything from beauty products to kitchen gadgets, curates can't-miss sales, and creates "best of" shopping roundups. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.

“Bridal Arms” Are Whatever You Want Them to Be

Chandler Plante — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:15:02 +0000

When you're deep in the throes of wedding planning, the checklist can feel never-ending. Sure, you have your dress, the venue, the catering . . . but what about your bridal arms? It's not surprising that people want to look and feel their best on such a big day (nor is there anything wrong with that), but the internet often has a much narrower view of what bridal bodies are "supposed to" look like.

"Welcome to day three of the bridal arms series, where I show you exactly what I did to sculpt and strengthen my upper body," one fitfluencer says in a May 7 TikTok. While there's nothing inherently wrong with this video (who doesn't love a quick and accessible upper body workout?), you don't need to have super-toned arms in order to get married. You're the one walking down the aisle after all . . . not your triceps.

"You're the one walking down the aisle after all . . . not your triceps."

When we assign labels like these to regimens featuring uber-fit models and influencers (remember the buzz surrounding Miley Cyrus's "Pilates arms"?), it suggests we also have to look like them - or at least want to. But frankly, your wedding is the day you should feel most like yourself. So why are we still pressuring brides to follow rigorous fitness plans and meet extreme goals?

"Social media can create unrealistic standards for brides, and chasing those ideals often leads to unsustainable approaches to nutrition and fitness," says certified strength and conditioning coach Katie Wilder Thomas, MS, CSCS. "Society does promote a lot about physique-oriented goals - especially pre-wedding," Form trainer Grace Freyre agrees. "I think we need to shift the conversation and talk more about the internal benefits of a fitness routine before your big day."

Ultimately, bridal arms (or is it . . . just arms?) are whatever you want them to be. And truthfully, they're going to look different for everyone. Read on to see how to take some of the pressure off so you can say "I do" to bridal fitness on your own terms.

Experts Featured in This Article

Katie Wilder Thomas, MS, CSCS, is a certified nutrition coach and certified strength and conditioning coach at Future.

Grace Freyre is a fitness instructor and trainer at Form.

What Experts Think About "Bridal Arms"

Our experts can appreciate that some brides might want to focus on fitness ahead of their wedding. "Celebration comes with pressure, especially when it comes to looking your best," Wilder Thomas says. "But what if, instead of fixating on our insecurities - because we all have them - we focused on building true self-confidence?"

Rather than obsessing over a certain physique (bridal arms included), try leaning into more meaningful fitness goals. For instance, Freyre leads a bridal fitness program that focuses on strengthening the mind, body, and soul. "We do cardio sections in my class that I call 'dance floor cardio' because I wanted to stay on the dance floor my entire wedding night - not to burn more calories," she says. "It is about feeling radiant, confident, and happy from within. That energy then radiates out."

That said, the concept of bridal arms and wanting to achieve them isn't going anywhere. "Let's be honest: as long as there's profit to be made, there will always be marketing aimed at exploiting insecurities," Wilder Thomas says. Still, brides are powerful consumers, and there's plenty of opportunity to question these narratives when they do inevitably arise. "Today's brides are more informed and mindful than ever," Wilder Thomas says. "That awareness makes us stronger, more confident, and far less likely to fall for the pressure to conform."

How to Reframe Bridal Fitness

If WeddingTok is getting to you, there are many strategies you can use to get in a better headspace. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Look at the bigger picture: Remember your wedding day is not the be-all and end-all. "Instead of treating your wedding as a finish line, think of it as the beginning of a new chapter," Wilder Thomas says. This might encourage you to build healthier, more sustainable habits instead of falling for unrealistic goals and frustrating regimens.
Avoid negativity: Oftentimes, we can be our own worst critics. Leading up to your wedding, try not to feed into negative beliefs and insecurities (even if that means taking a little social media break). If you need extra tools, positive affirmations and gratitude journaling can also be a big help.
Set new goals: Not all wellness goals have to do with physique. In fact, Wilder Thomas encourages brides to dig a little deeper. "Rather than chasing an image, aim for alignment. Practice positive self-talk," she says. "Reflect on how the best version of yourself lives, and build daily routines that support and honor that version of you."
Get grounded: If bridal fitness is stressing you out, take time to ground yourself. "I believe that grounding down into yourself and your relationship is the best thing to do to avoid this pressure," Freyre says. Wilder Thomas adds, "Ask yourself: What habits do I want to bring into this marriage that will support my relationship, bring me joy, and help me feel my best? That's where the real focus should be."

If you still find yourself losing the plot, Freyre suggests taking a step back and reminding yourself why you're getting married. Chances are, it's because the person you're marrying loves you for you, she says. "I always tell my bridal clients that the most beautiful bride is a happy bride. So focus on the things that make you happy."

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