Adriana, Lily, Martha and Sara Reveal Their Victoria's Secret Show Workout Regimes

The reputation of the models' workouts precedes them as the “body of an Angel” is put on a pedestal as the most sculpted physique in fashion. With the countdown to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2018 well and truly on, rumours begin to swirl about how many training sessions the catwalk stars complete in a day during the run-up to the catwalk extravaganza. To put the record straight, Vogue quizzed Angels Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge, Martha Hunt and Sara Sampaio on exercise regimes, diet plans and how they plan to let loose in Shanghai afterwards. How do you get in shape? Adriana Lima: Each year, I try to be physically and mentally prepared for the show. People say that we train like Olympic athletes and I think although obviously it’s a much different goal, we do work very hard to achieve how we want to look and feel as we walk down the runway for millions of people. Lily Aldridge: I work out with Ballet Beautiful founder Mary Helen Bowers six times a week, sometimes twice a day leading up to the show. Martha Hunt: I also do Ballet Beautiful, as it’s great for my mental state and strengthening my body. Barre helps to tone and sculpt my glutes, legs and core without overdoing it, and ballet helps with graceful transitions between poses. I also work out with a trainer to incorporate weights and cardio. Sara Sampaio: I work out with my trainer Justin Gelband, and do Pilates at Flex Studios in New York around five times a week, depending on how my body feels and my schedule. Resting is as important as working out. With Justin, we do a lot of resistance training, some cardio and a lot of butt work with ankle weights. When did you start training for Shanghai? AL: As a model I always have to be ready, but during the few months leading up to the show I try to eat very lean and green, drink lots of water and work out almost every day. I train all year long, but I kick it up a little bit leading up to the show. LA: I work out all year long, I love to be in shape and feel good. We just ramp up the workouts closer to the show. MH: Ditto. SS: I started after fashion week, so around two months before the show. For me, the most important part is maintaining a balanced diet, which is a challenge because I love bread, pasta and all Mediterranean foods. I try to eat cleaner with lots of protein, veggies and fruit. How will you continue preparing once you get to Shanghai? AL: Luckily, there are a group of my trainers who will be flying out to Shanghai and I’ll be able to train with them before the show. I will work out the day before, but the day of the show I’ll relax and just go with the adrenaline of the day. LA: My trainer will be coming to China and I will train in the mornings before work. But it’s also important to relax after travelling so far. MH: I’ll continue ballet as it makes me feel in tune with my body and like I’m refining a craft. SS: I think in Shanghai I’ll just try to rest as much as possible and not get anxious about show day! It’s not extra workouts there that will change my body! **How do you stay healthy when travelling? ** AL: I try to minimise my travel in the run-up to the show because for me, consistency is key. If I must travel, I try to take my meals with me, so I know exactly what’s going into my body and I don’t have to rely on figuring out what to eat at different hotels or restaurants. LA: I drink lots of water and try to sleep on the plane. MH: Nutritional supplements! I just started travelling with nutritional supplements. I put them in my water, and they really make a difference in how I feel and my skin. SS: That’s the hardest part for me! When I’m jet lagged I don’t eat healthily at all! I just want comfort food, like pasta and pizza. I'll try my best to stop myself from doing that. What are you most looking forward to about this year's show? AL: Everything. Each year the show gets bigger and better. LA: I always enjoy the experience leading up to the show. All the girls travelling together, hanging out at the hotel, it’s like being at summer camp! MH: I’m most looking forward to being in China and meeting the Chinese fans. SS: I can’t talk what I'm most excited about yet! The performers are always one of the highlights though. What have the years of being a Victoria’s Secret Angel taught you? AL: To be myself. I think that’s the most important thing that one can do when being a part of a show like this. You’re there not just because you’re beautiful, but also because you’ve shown that you can have fun on the stage and have a great personality.
LA: I’ve learned to enjoy the moment. It goes by so fast! MH: They’ve helped make me more confident in who I am as a woman. I feel great about my body, and I love working with such a great family. SS: Being an Angel has definitely made me more confident and I feel like I’ve been able to explore more of my sexy side, which has been fun. How do you calm your nerves before the show? AL: Even after all these years I get nervous! I just breathe deeply and go. LA: I’m constantly dancing backstage to keep my energy up. I walk about with my music on at all times to calm my nerves. MH: I definitely get nervous before the show, but once I walk out there, the adrenaline kicks in and I just feel the moment. SS: I like feeling nervous! It means that I still care. I do a lot of deep breathing though. What do you think about when walking the runway? AL: I try to look for my family and give them a wave. Other than that, I just focus on having fun and feeling the music. LA: I try to tell myself not to slip! MH: I try to really live in the moment, because it happens so fast, so I try to feel the energy of the music, and interact with whatever’s happening on stage, and not overthink it. SS: I tell myself to own it and be powerful. I like to feel the audience and the energy and just go from there. What advice will you give to the new girls on the catwalk? AL: It will go by so fast so just enjoy. LA: Have fun and let your inner beauty shine through! MH: Enjoy it! It goes by so fast, don’t be afraid to smile and really show your personality, because you’ll stand out. SS: To enjoy every second! Do not rush on the runway! It’s your time and you should take it and make it yours. There’s no other feeling like your first show. Do you feel like you have to be a role model for the other girls? AL: I’ve been very fortunate to be the longest standing Victoria’s Secret Angel and I think as part of that, the young women who are walking for the first time look up to me. I’ve had longevity in this business because I’m hardworking and try to be kind and respectful to others. I suppose I show them through my actions. LA: Of course I always want to be an example for the other girls. I try to be someone they can come to for advice. MH: Definitely, when you’re representing Victoria’s Secret, you’re representing a global brand, and I think it’s really important to uphold the legacy of all the girls before me. SS: I’ve actually never thought about it in that way. We are all similar in age so if someone asks me for advice I will happily give it but from a friend’s perspective. How will you celebrate in Shanghai afterwards? AL: I’ll be celebrating with some champagne, pizza and dancing with all of my Angels! LA: With lots of dim sum! MH: We’ll probably throw a big after-party. I hope that there’s karaoke involved. SS: I'm going to Thailand for a few days with some of the girls. See what the other models do to stay toned, honed and slender for the show each year. It isn't easy being an Angel, it seems...