Want Meghan Markle's Princess Bod? Do Her Workouts
Royal-to-be Meghan Markle has captivated the entire world. Among her many admirable qualities is her commitment to health and fitness. It clearly pays off, as she looks amazing! We've rounded up several workouts that Markle swears by and you'll most definitely want to try.
Overview
Ever since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made their royal engagement official, the entire world has been mesmerized by the humanitarian and former actress. And much like Duchess Catherine before her, we want to know everything about her — including the routine she swears by to stay fit and healthy.
Thankfully, the future royal has divulged many of her fitness secrets on social media and to the press. "My health, my state of mind, the feeling you have after a workout; all of these things drive me to step onto my mat or go to the gym," she told Women's Health UK. "Sometimes the idea of working out sounds absolutely dreadful, but I always remind myself of how good it will feel afterward. Euphoric, almost!"
Amen — here are seven workouts Markle loves that you can try too!
1. Personal Training
Markle clearly sees the benefit of investing in one-on-one sessions with a qualified fitness professional."Meghan's fitness definitely take priority; she's very focused on her health," her Toronto-based trainer of three years, Craig McNamee, told Women's Health. "When she gets to the gym, there's no real complaining. She gets down to business right away and really enjoys it." He used a high rep (20 to 25), low weight method with the star, revealing to the website exactly what her three to four day-a-week, 45-minute circuit training workouts entailed. "Generally speaking, we had a full-body approach," he said. "And since Meghan was onscreen [filming SUITS], we really focused on posture." In order to execute this, he always included posterior chain exercises (think glutes, back and hamstrings) as well as lots of core (abs, back, oblique's and pelvic floor.) For a step-by-step 30-minute circuit-training workout similar to Meghan's, courtesy of her trainer, click here.
2. Yoga
Markle most definitely got her love of doing downward dog and sun salutations from her mom. The mother of the royal bride, Doria Radlan, is a social worker and yoga instructor. Markle sang her mom's praises in Women's Health UK, explaining that yoga is a natural fit for her. "My mom was a yoga instructor, so that practice is in my blood," Markle noted. "I love an intense vinyasa class — and even better if it's blasting hip-hop and done in a dark room with candlelight. The best!"
She told Canadian magazine Best Health what she gets out of her practice: "There are so many benefits that come with the practice of yoga … increased flexibility and muscle strength, greater happiness, increased mental focus, a greater ability to relax, decreased anxiety and better sleep." No doubt!
Read more: 5 Things About Yoga You Probably Take for Granted
3. Running
Markle also loves to run. In fact, it's her go-to quickie workout. "If I don't have time for a long workout, I'll grab my dog and go for a quick run," she told Best Health. "Being active is my own moving meditation." She also explained to Shape magazine, "You have to find a workout routine that really speaks to you beyond trying to get goals for your body. So, for me, running. I need it as much, like, for my head and clearing my head as I do for keeping in shape."
That said, her relationship with the intense cardiovascular workout has changed over the years. "As I've gotten older, running has become hard on my knees, so I can't run outside the way I used to," she said. "I used to run all the time, but I typically get picked up for work at 4:15 in the morning on a Monday, so there isn't much time for jogging, and I would rather have that extra hour of sleep."
Listen now: How to Calm Down in Under 3 Minutes
4. On-Trend Group Fitness Classes
Markle is about to become royalty, which means she'll undoubtedly have access to a bevy of fitness experiences that are typically only reserved for the very top of the A-list. So while she may not have actually tried it yet, the royal bride-to-be says she's looking forward to working out with Russell Bateman, the mastermind behind exclusive studio Skinny Bitch Collective (SBC). "I'm eager to come to the U.K. to do a workout with Russell [Bateman], the founder of SBC," Markle told Women's Health. "My friend Millie Macintosh raves about his workouts, so I'll call her up to do a class together next time I'm back in London."
There are only two SBC locations (one in London and the other in New York), and the unique, high-intensity workout is described as "the secret class for supermodels" and reportedly incorporates animalistic movements.
Read more: These 16 Unique Yoga Classes Let You Try Some Far-Out Flows
5. Meditation
"On days I don't make it to my [yoga] mat, I always make some time to meditate," Markle told Women's Health. "I was skeptical for years, but it truly does wonders!" Sure, some may raise their eyebrow over the classification of meditation as part of a workout routine, and it may not be the most challenging workout as far as cardio or building strength goes. But Markle is right: The practice can be incredibly beneficial for many reasons.
The emotional health benefits of meditation include gaining new perspectives on stressful situations, building skills to manage your stress, increasing self-awareness, focusing on the present, reducing negative emotions, increasing imagination and creativity and increasing patience and tolerance.
Read more: Stressed? Tired? Anxious? Find Out Which 5-Minute Meditation Is Best for Your Mood
6. Workout DVDs
In the past, Markle's agenda would have been packed with shooting "Suits," participating in activist and charity events and blogging on her former lifestyle site The Tig. These days, her life is about to get even more jam-packed, so it wouldn't be surprising to hear she's leaning on an old trick for squeezing in an efficient and effective core workout: doing a DVD, specifically one from celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson. Anderson's workouts have been praised by Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian and Victoria's Secret models.
"I've been doing them for six years now, and I just find the results are great," Markle told Shape. "I can do 15-minute increments in my trailer on set, and at the end of the day you've had a full workout."
7. Pilates
In addition to yoga and meditation, Markle loves another fitness activity that requires honing that mind-body connection: Pilates. E! News reports that when Markle is in Los Angeles, she opts to work out at Pilates Platinum, which is owned by one of her good friends, Heather Dorak.
"There are so many workouts that you try out once and never go back to; Heather's studio is the complete opposite," Markle told Harper's Bazaar. "You keep coming back for several reasons. First off, your body changes immediately. Give it two classes and you will see a difference. Second, Heather is amazing — as an instructor, as a friend, she is inspiring in every way. Lastly, the people in class are cool, unpretentious and motivating … and that is a testament to Heather's energy." The workout reportedly "intends to burn the maximum number of calories in a minimal amount of time and most efficiently develop muscle tone, strength, balance and flexibility."
Read more: Why Skateboard Pilates Will Be Your New Favorite Workout
What Do YOU Think?
What do you think of Markle's workout regimen? Are you inspired to try something new because of her? Let us know in the comments!