Tiger Woods Swears by This Fitness Habit but Struggling Simone Biles Refuses to Continue

Simone Biles isn’t just the GOAT in gymnastics—she’s the kind of athlete who could dominate any sport if she wanted to. This powerhouse hits heights of 12 feet—yep, higher than Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s tallest player. And she’s no stranger to flexing her skills off the mat. Case in point: that time she raced her husband Jonathan Owens’ Packers teammate, Christian Watson. Watson might have stumbled into a win, but even he admitted, “Gymnasts are sneaky fast.” She’s even proven she can hold her own in men’s gymnastics, too. In a playful Instagram face-off, she and fellow Olympian Fred Richard went toe-to-toe trying out each other’s moves.
From flares to the iconic Japanese handstand, Simone nailed it all, earning Fred’s playful praise: “Almost better than me.” She’s a multi-sport marvel, effortlessly owning every challenge thrown her way. Still, even a superhuman like Simone has her kryptonite. For Simone Biles, there’s one exercise that’s been following her around for a while, and it’s one that many athletes—like Tiger Woods—swear by as their favorite. But Simone? She’s not having it. After her first attempt post-Paris, she flat-out refused to continue.
Simone Biles has found her Achilles‘ heel
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Whenever the 27-year-old steps on the mat, the world stops and watches. They can’t help but do it. Simone Biles has proved her mettle on the mat by becoming one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world. She even shattered the glass ceiling and changed the whole meaning of what being an elite athlete is like. But on December 4, the Olympian posted a cheeky story on Instagram. What did she say? “first time working out since the Olympics… this is what I wore to a Pilates class that I will never be attending again! y’all stay strong out there lmao… it was too hard.”
Posing in a chic fit from her Athleta X Simone Biles line, the Olympian looked as amazing as ever. However, her classic sense of humor might catch everyone off guard. We’ve often considered the gymnast a superhuman. Yet, it isn’t quite surprising that she hasn’t taken a liking to Pilates. In 2020, the gymnast took part in a Pilates workout class with fellow Olympian Katie Ledecky and Joi Wade while discussing their 2021 personal fitness goals during an event sponsored by Visa and Capital One.
While Ledecky found the time to fit Pilates into her routine, the same can’t be said about Simone Biles. Even though she has incredible athleticism and flexibility, she has harbored a love-hate relationship with Pilates. Well, color us surprised. Despite it all, the 27-year-old couldn’t keep up with an ‘elite-level’ class. It looks like her feelings from back then haven’t changed at all. However, what does the G.O.A.T.’s intense training entail?
The 27-year-old follows a strict routine that includes being at the gym from 9 am to 12 pm, promptly followed by a lunch break. What does the gymnast eat, you ask? To ensure she gets her daily dose of protein, it would usually be chicken or fish, followed by a quick snack. The Olympian would then head back to the gym and train from 3 pm to 6 pm. However, she has also incorporated cross-training into the routine. This includes swimming, running, biking, and more. She also indulges in bodyweight exercises, core strengthening, and resistance training. Even though the 11x Olympic medalist is not a fan, a few other athletes think otherwise.
Tiger Woods and LeBron James have incorporated Pilates into their life
Simone Biles reinvented the meaning of being an athlete. But Tiger Woods also played a part in redefining a golfer’s fitness. How’s that, you ask? Before the golf legend stepped onto the course, there wasn’t a fitness standard to hold anyone up to. However, many took his core strength, incredible flexibility, and balance as a path to success. What did he do to stand out from the crowd?
The 48-year-old has a very rigorous routine, and Pilates holds a special place there. It has become a huge part of the sport, where it has been recognized as a must-have to improve the game and prolong one’s career. On the other hand, the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens partnered with All-American Pilates to open the PGA Pilates studio. However, he isn’t the only one.
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NBA superstar LeBron James has snuck Pilates into his intense training regime. In the middle of his seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he would often train at a location in Akron, Ohio. Why, you ask? He would often swim and take yoga or Pilates classes. He credited his off-season endeavors for his stamina and flexibility during the seasons.
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These often would allow him to play more than 40 minutes every game without any issues. Why did he take these classes? According to the athlete, he always took on new things to stay above the curve. But if you’re hoping to catch a professional basketball player during these training sessions, then you’re mistaken. “We hold a secret society over there. We don’t tell too many people,” he told reporters years ago. Pilates might have helped these athletes progress in their illustrious careers. However, Simone Biles wouldn’t want to be a part of that group.