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Every single thing we know about how Shakira stays in shape

From maintaining *those* abs, to her diet hacks – this is Shakira's 'life in health' unlocked

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When it comes to celebrities who motivate us to hit the gym or lace up our trainers for a run, Shakira is right up there – her incredibly energetic performances, insane core strength (also, have you seen her belly dancing moves?) and to be frank, abs of steel, are quite something. At 44-years-old, she looks as strong as ever and we want to know how.

So, we were super intrigued to learn about all the different ways that Shakira keeps her body fuelled, her fitness levels up and about the type of workouts she favours. Spoiler: dancing isn't the only thing the songstress does to work up a sweat (excellent news for those of us who sadly don't have the same innate rhythm that she does).

Of course, while there should never be a 'one size fits all' approach when it comes to health – every one of us is unique (and that's to be celebrated!) – it can still be interesting to learn more about how other people, celebrities included, approach their diet and exercise.

Meaning, it's best to take this round-up as nothing more than a little nosey into a star's lifestyle that you can cherry pick bits from, should it takes your fancy (it is not - we repeat not - a manual telling you how to, or that you should, have a body like Shakira's).

With that in mind, and while in search of inspiration, we set out to uncover as much as we could about how Shakira navigates all things health-related...

1

Set a schedule

Shakira Attends Court For Plagiarising The Song 'La Bicicleta'
Carlos Alvarez//Getty Images

Anna Kaiser, who has been Shakira's go-to trainer for years, told E! News that the singer works out five days a week.

2

Get your heart rate up

All of Shakira's workout goals revolve around her heart rate monitor. It 'keeps her the most focused,' Kaiser told E! News.

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3

Strengthen your core

This is important for Shakira, Kaiser told Us Weekly. 'We focused on leaning out, strengthening her core, and boosting her booty—and then toning her arms like crazy,' she said.

4

Go big on intervals

'We alternate between strength and cardio intervals,' Kaiser told E! News. 'Some days we do just cardio and then strength and some days we start with strength and then do cardio, we like to mix it up.'

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5

Set goals for yourself

Shakira is huge on having goals for herself, Kaiser told E! News, and she's always working toward something.

6

Be smart about your training

Shakira wants to know what she's doing and why, Kaiser told W magazine. 'She's very smart and she wants to learn about the body and she wants to know why she’s doing what she’s doing and what her goal is, what she’s trying to accomplish,' she said. "And that’s why we’ve had such a long relationship, because she knows what a stickler I am for functional smart training, but I also make it really fun.'

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7

Give surfing a go

Shakira's been known to do this full-body workout here and there when she's traveling.

8

Zero in on different body parts

Shakira doesn't just work out and hope for the best. Instead, Kaiser tells E! News that she's strategic and focuses on individual body parts and form.

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9

Build up your endurance

'We started cracking down four months before she went on tour, building up her endurance so that she could sustain performing at that crazy level of energy for two hours,' Kaiser told Us Weekly. 'And bumping up her strength because she plays a lot of instruments, she’s dancing and she’s on and off stage through trap doors—so we needed to make sure that she was physically strong enough to endure all of that.'

10

Always look to improve

'I want to make sure that she is improving her endurance so that she can go into a two-hour show and also has the strength and stamina to make it through a five-month tour,' Kaiser told E! News. 'It's about making sure she gets a little bit of everything.'

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11

Focus on flexibility

This is huge for her. Kaiser told E! News that when she and Shakira started working together, Shakira had some arthritis in her elbows and that her wrists were weak. Since then, they've done exercises to make sure they were making her stronger and more flexible.

12

Do your best to stay healthy

Shakira's schedule is no joke—especially when she's on tour. That's why her health is a huge focus for her.

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13

Try sweating more than once in a day

Sometimes, Shakira goes hard at the gym twice a day. 'She's doing two-a-days twice a week and the other three days she's doing one workout per day,' Kaiser told E! News.

14

Throw a little tennis into the mix

Shakira has shared more than a few photos on Instagram of herself on the tennis court.

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15

Get momentum going

Getting a workout routine started isn't always easy, but Shakira is willing to put the work in upfront. 'Once you have a program and you get into the routine, it's much easier to keep going,' Kaiser told E! News.

16

Be consistent

Shakira will keep pushing regularly to make sure she's hitting her goals. 'It's really important to make sure you stay consistent. Even if that day it took longer to reach the goal she's aiming for, she still did it,' Kaiser told E! News.

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17

Whip out a foam roller

Shakira is hypermobile, meaning her joints and tendons are super flexible. 'When you're hypermobile, it's easy to think your muscles are flexible but your flexibility is really around your joints and not your muscles,' Kaiser told E! News. 'Foam rolling is really important and making sure we are rolling out her fascia, her feet, her legs, and upper body to make sure she stays nice and healthy.'

18

Snack

Kaiser likes to make sure Shakira is eating throughout the day, with a focus on eating every two to three hours, she told E! News. That means two to three snacks in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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19

Eat more protein

Shakira has protein 'in every meal,' Kaiser told E! News. She also has 'fresh veggies or small amounts of low glycemic fruit for snacks,' she added.

20

Make cooking veggies mindless

Cooking vegetables can be tricky and time-consuming, which is why Kaiser has Shakira do this, per W: Put fresh veggies in tinfoil with fish or another protein and cook it all together.

Headshot of Korin Miller
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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