SHE’S an international pop star, fashion designer and reality TV hero.
But recently, Victoria Beckham has made a name for herself as a health and fitness icon.
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She now boasts hella toned arms, strong legs and killer abs. But just how has she done it?
The Sun has recruited personal trainer and nutrition coach Sarah Campus to unpack the former Spice Girl’s routine.
The founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS said: “Victoria has a strict nutrition and fitness regime.
“It is by sticking to this consistently that she achieves her now-signature look.”
In the gym
Posh Spice might seem prim and proper, but her social media suggests she’s a beast in the gym.
The 49-year-old regularly hurls dumbbells from floor to ceiling and squats with a hefty bar on her back – squeezing in as many as six sessions every week.
She’s so committed to her fitness, she even took top London-based personal trainer Bobby Rich with her on holiday.
The former Team GB judo competitor said last year: “Victoria’s training is a priority to her and her dedication is nothing short of impressive.
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“She is with me in the gym five days a week – and even if she’s travelling there are no excuses, and we move to online sessions.
“Either way, she’s putting the work in.”
He added that the biggest change in the ex-singer’s routine is the introduction of strength training – primarily overhead squats, cleans and snatches – in place of 7km morning runs.
A friend previously told The Sun: “There’s been a seismic cultural shift of late, with more and more women wanting to look strong, not skinny — and Victoria has very much jumped on this bandwagon.
“Nowadays she wants to look athletic and be a great role model for women.
“For the past few years she’s been a dedicated runner, but over the last few months she’s added weight training, Reformer Pilates — which uses a machine rather than a mat — and mobility into her schedule.
“She’s never been so lean, while also putting on about 2kg in pure muscle.”
While Sarah said: “Victoria has moved from cardio as she’s clearly realised that lifting weights is what’s needed to get a bum and boobs.
“It won’t make you bulky, and the results are just incredible – defined muscles, improved bone and joint health, and an overall strength boost.
“It also targets body fat, reduces your risk of diabetes, prevents injury, and burns more calories than cardio.”
To work out like Victoria, Sarah recommends:
- Overhead squats – stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, hold a dumbbell in either hand, engage your core and drive the weights straight overhead while bending the knees and sending your bum back
- Weighted lunges – with a dumbbell in each hand, take a big step forward, bend at the knee until the right thigh is parallel to the ground, then step back and repeat on the other side
- Clean and presses – lift a weighted barbell from the floor to the front of your shoulders, then press and raise overhead
- Tricep dips – place your hands behind you on a bench or chair so your fingers face forwards, extend your legs and bend your elbows, before dipping down to the floor and back up again
- Rotations – hold a weight with both hands in front of your chest, keeping your elbows high, then rotate your body to each side
A combination of these exercises can burn around 600 calories a session – and Victoria will keep burning them long after finishing.
Sarah said: “Since she is now more focused on having a strong body as opposed to being a certain size, she has realised that weights and having fun is important for long term health benefits.”
Part of that fun is getting husband David involved. The pair have shared videos of them doing couple workouts to tone their abs.
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In the studio
As well as pumping iron in the gym, Victoria also likes classes – particularly barre, boxing, spin, and Reformer Pilates.
Sarah said: “Victoria looks to mix things up.
“To avoid her body getting too used to one type of exercise, she changes her activities each day.
“She loves barre, which uses high repetitions whilst being low impact, which improves muscular strength and endurance.
“This type of workout mix has helped her to achieve the lean aesthetic ‘dancer’s body’ that Victoria has achieved.”
She did, however, emphasise that the mum-of-four also has a good balance and ensures she includes ample time for rest and recovery.
“She also stretches and mobilises as this allows her body to reap the results she’s looking for,” Sarah added.
In the wild
And if gruelling gym sessions and tricky classes weren’t enough, the mum-of-four also stays active outdoors.
She has shared photos of her playing tennis with her daughter Harper, doing yoga in the garden, and water skiing across a lake with David.
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In the kitchen
Of course, hard physical work must be complemented by eating well.
Victoria has previously spoken about being pretty rigid when it comes to her eating – with smoothies for breakfast and plain fish and veg for dinner.
David once said: “Since I met her, she only eats grilled fish and steamed vegetables. She will very rarely deviate from that.”
But the fashion guru has reportedly become a lot less restrictive since upping her exercise and bolstering her metabolism.
She is no longer scared to tuck into healthy fats such as nuts and oily fish, it is said.
And she eats throughout the day, rather than focusing on the traditional three meals.
Her favourite snacks are reportedly protein shakes, almonds, fruit and avocadoes.
An average day might look something like this:
- 5am: skin supplements (e.g. Augustinus Bader)
- 6am: a shot of apple cider vinegar
- 7am: black coffee with collagen peptide powder
- 8am: scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with a green smoothie with apple, lemon, kiwi, spinach and broccoli
- 12pm: a salad topped with grilled salmon
- 1pm: coconut water
- 3pm: sparkling water
- 6pm: grilled halibut with steamed green beans
Thankfully, the 90s idol still knocks back the odd shot of tequila and glass of fine wine.
“She also refrains from eating red meat and dairy products, out of choice, but really likes a slice of wholegrain toast as a comforting snack,” Sarah said.
“She loves to eat a lot of healthy fats essential for her hair, skin and nails, which are also high in protein and omega-3.
“We’ve seen that she is happy to admit that she is a restaurant’s ‘worst nightmare’ due to her strict food choices.”
In the mind
And finally, a lot of Victoria’s jaw-dropping results come from within, Sarah said.
“She is very disciplined,” she added.
“Like a lot of A list celebrities, Victoria recognises that consistency is key, and she makes sure she stays accountable, working closely with her PTs and tracking her workouts and nutritional intake.”
Vic also sleeps with crystals next to her bed and carries one in her handbag as she is convinced they have healing properties, and she loves meditation to relax the mind and body.
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