Olympics Rio 2016: Gymnast Gabby Douglas’ Intense Workout & Training Routine

Photo Credit: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
Gymnast Gabby Douglas

Photo Credit: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

With one gold medal already draped around her neck at the Rio Olympics, 2016 could be another big year for star American gymnast Gabby Douglas. Training routines are all set and now it’s time to see if she can bring forth some gold medal efforts in the individual competitions.

Gabby Douglas’ workouts on her own and with teammates are intense, so hopefully it’s enough to get her back to the top of the podium this year!

Gabby Douglas Workout Plan

Gabby Douglas’s workout regimen is extremely intense—after all, she’s an Olympic caliber athlete. If you’re not training to be a gymnast, there is virtually no way you could—or would ever—want to do this, but taking a look at it can give you a real appreciation for what these athletes do every day. Like virtually every competitive gymnast, Gabby Douglas’ fitness is on point and at a world-class level.

Gabby Douglas

Photo Credit: Mattel/Splash

She wakes up at 7 a.m. every morning to get ready for practice at 8 a.m. She spends some time with grandma and eats a small, light breakfast so she can perform all the movements she need to without obstruction (or vomiting). When you’re Gabby Douglas, gym sessions are big, so meals have to be small.

Between 8 a.m. and noon Gabby’s training hard. With nonstop intensity she polishes her skills to get ready for the world stage.

Once noon hits it’s time for a two-hour lunch break where she can fill up. Douglas has used up a lot of energy so far, so it’s essential she replace those calories and fuels up for her afternoon training session. Once again she’s eating, light, nutrient dense foods like an egg, avocado and chicken breast salad.

After lunch it’s two-and-a-half hours of training, conditioning and stretching. Conditioning includes stuff like pulling herself up a 12-ft. rope without using her feet, push ups, leg lifts, sit-ups and various squats and box jumps. After that it’s time to go home, catch up with family and get some quality rest.

Gabby Douglas Fitness Tips

Gabby Douglas knows most people at home will look at her training routine and say, “no thank you!” But she has some general tips you can use at home and in the gym to get stronger and feel better.

She says squats are an easy exercise to perform at home. One of the most valuable and functional exercises, using different variations of squats can help provide strength and shape to your lower body and core.

Push-ups are also good for developing upper body strength. Gabby also recommends stretching after each workout so your muscles maintain flexibility and recover fast.


Sources:
Foley, M., “A look at the incredibly intense training schedule of gymnast Gabby Douglas,” Popsugar web site, August 5, 2016; http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Gabby-Douglas-Training-Schedule-Rio-41755196, last accessed August 11, 2016.
“Gabby Douglas shares her fitness secrets,” Teen Vogue web site, http://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/gabby-douglas-nike-studio-wrap-shoe, last accessed August 11, 2016.