MMA fighter Paige VanZant is used to dealing with heavy weights—but even though she makes it look effortless, her training is seriously intense. VanZant, 30, shared a video of herself wearing brown shorts and a black sports bra, pushing a very heavy sled across the gym with a smile on her face. VanZant is open about the incredible discipline it takes to train like an athlete and prepare for fights—here’s what her diet, fitness, and training routine looks like, and her best advice for anyone who wants to be strong.
VanZant is strict and dedicated to her workout regimen. “I’m in the gym every day twice a day,” she told Women Fitness. “Since I have switched over to professional boxing my schedule comprises of boxing every day, sometimes twice a day. And strength and conditioning three days a week. I do all of my training at American top team, a world renowned MMA and combat academy.”
VanZant is careful about her diet, but makes a point of making her healthy food as delicious as possible. “Dieting is a huge part of being any sort of professional athlete,” she told Women Fitness. “My husband and I love cooking and we really enjoy making healthy meals together. I like to think of myself as a chef and have competed on many cooking shows. We of course have our occasional cheat day here and there. But once we have a flight scheduled it’s down to business. Then after we fight we go a little bit crazy and eat everything in sight.”
VanZant is active even on her “off” days, going on hikes to relax. “Every day is different, it depends on what day of the week it is,” she told Vogue. “We have lots of classes, wrestling, jujitsu. I do a lot of Pilates, yoga, CrossFit as well. I also try to include one relaxing workout through the week like hiking. When I gear up for a fight I try to cut out a lot of the fun outdoorsy workouts and do a lot more training in the gym. I do more cardio, and I run a lot if I can. I do a lot more sparring and more combat throughout the week.”
VanZant advises anyone wanting to get fit to start slowly and set realistic goals—you don’t have to work out like an MMA fighter to reap the rewards. “Just taking a cardio kickboxing class [can be helpful],” she told Vogue. “You can go into a gym and it’s all cardio-based and you get to learn a little bit of self-defense as well. When I started MMA, I got into the best shape of my life.”
VanZant loved her stint on Dancing With the Stars, as she has a background in dance. “Competing on Dancing With the Stars by far was one of the greatest experiences I have been able to take part in because of my successful MMA career,” she told Women Fitness. “I actually grew up dancing and had been away from it for the past 10 years. Being on the show helped me get back in touch with my roots. I absolutely loved my partner Mark Ballas. We are still very good friends and chat every now and then. I would love to be able to compete on the show one more time and redeem myself and my second place trophy. As a professional fighter I really want that first place win.”