Victoria Azarenka is a very successful tennis player. She once held the number one position in 2012 for singles, and has been number one for 51 weeks. She has won 21 WTA titles, and has won singles titles at two Australian Opens. In May, she went to Rome to play. Azarenka shared a video on Instagram of herself warming up at the time. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Victoria Azarenka stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.
Tennis is one of the main ways Azarenka stays in shape. Lee Health reports that the sport has a lot of health benefits. “Tennis utilizes upper, core, and lower body muscles – but it’s also one of the best cardiovascular and aerobic exercises you can do. Playing a few sets increases oxygen flow, circulation, and helps you fight back heart disease. That kind of physical workout also decreases lipids, which helps lower cholesterol.”
In her Instagram video, Azarenka is seen doing lunges. ACE Fitness states that lunges have a lot of benefits. “They’re a form of unilateral training, which means you’re working only one limb or side of the body at a time. And unilateral training is a more effective way to build functional strength (than using both legs) because these types of movement mimic other everyday motions, like walking and climbing stairs — and not just to the working leg. Research suggests the strength gains to the nonworking side are about half of the strength gains of the working side.”
Azarenka is also seen running in her Instagram video. John Hopkins Medicine states that running can help your mood. “Exercise increases the levels of endocannabinoids in the bloodstream. Unlike endorphins, endocannabinoids can move easily through the cellular barrier separating the bloodstream from the brain, where these mood-improving neuromodulators promote short-term psychoactive effects such as reduced anxiety and feelings of calm.”
Azarenka also shared this video on Instagram of herself working out. In it, she is seen doing TRX exercises. Moorings Park states that TRX has a lot of benefits. “TRX training can be used to improve strength, core stability, balance, and flexibility. This fitness form allows for a full-body workout where resistance can be added or taken away by simply modifying the position of the feet or body.”
Azarenka likes to strength train to stay in shape. In the previous Instagram video, she is seen doing exercises like deadlifts. The Mayo Clinic reports that strength training exercises have a lot of benefits. “By stressing your bones, strength training can increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Strength training can help you manage or lose weight, and it can increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories.”