Wicked is poised to become one of the biggest films of the year, and people are understandably freaking out about it. But perhaps no one is more excited than Ariana Grande, who has dreamt of playing Glinda since she was 10 years old.
The movie, which co-stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, just had its Los Angeles premiere. Since the release of her album Eternal Sunshine in March, Ariana has largely kept out of the spotlight, but she’s re-emerged looking all fit and glowy. On the red carpet, she rocked a Thom Browne dress that showcased her strong arms and toned legs.
So what does Ariana do for workouts these days? Here’s what she’s shared.
She works out three times a week.
The 31-year-old has a super busy schedule, but she makes time for regular workouts with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak (who also exercises with Lady Gaga, NBD).
The two work out together three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each session. “Other times, I’ll give her exercises to do at home on her own,” he told Shape in 2022. “She also hits her steps every day and has done a really great job of finding balance and moderation when it comes to staying in shape.”
Ariana likes to keep things consistent with her health routine, according to Pasternak. “She’s not about going to any extremes,” he says. “She isn’t worried about doing anything that’s not sustainable. As long as she moves every day, eats well, and does some strength training, she’s of the mindset that the rest will take care of itself.”
She focuses on her lower body and toned arms.
Ariana and Pasternak focus on five moves for strong legs, which he calls the “Fantastic Five.” Those include curtsy lunges, deadlifts, adductor planks, active clamshells, and a combination of glute bridges and lying tricep extensions, per Shape.
For upper body, Ariana hits the glute bridges and lying tricep extensions once again, standing rope triceps extensions, dumbbell T-raises, and standing cable reverse flys.
“We focus on the upper body once per week, but all of Ariana’s workouts focus on dynamic movements that hit multiple body parts, so we’re never really isolating a single muscle group for a whole session,” Pasternak told Shape.
The two also make a point to minimize bicep work. “By avoiding the biceps, the triceps become dominant, which is good for posture,” he said. “Strengthening her triceps pulls her shoulder blades back, helping her retain a very regal posture.”
She walks 12,000 steps a day.
Ariana is big on getting her steps in, so Pasternak gives her a step goal every day—“whether she’ll be dancing to get that step goal or watching her favorite movies while walking down the treadmill really slowly,” he told Popsugar in 2017.
Sometimes he’ll give her a count of 12,000 steps per day—which she hits. “I can’t imagine her being still,” he added. (FWIW, the ideal step counts tend to be individual—meaning, you don’t need to walk 12,000 steps a day, too.)
She eats a vegan diet.
Ariana has been vegan for years, and raves about the plant-based eating plan. “I’ve eaten organically since I was little and always kept meat minimal but today marks my first day as a 100% Vegan!!! Joyous day,” she announced on X in 2013.
“I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole-food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-round happier person,” she later told The Mirror. “It is tricky dining out, but I just stick to what I know–veggies, fruit, and salad–then, when I get home, I’ll have something else.”
Ariana is big on strawberries and also enjoys eating almonds and cashews. “They make great healthy snacks to keep me energized throughout my day!” she told Shape.
Earlier this year, Ariana shared that her family tends to forget her dietary preferences, even though she’s been vegan for more than a decade. “I don’t think they forget; I think they don’t want to remember,” she joked on the Hot Ones podcast. “My nonna always offers me meatballs and I’m like ‘No, thank you, I’m still plant-based.’”
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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