Former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has been captivating her social media followers with an inside look at her demanding fitness routine. The 43-year-old athlete recently shared a series of Instagram stories that detailed her intense gym sessions, which she maintains more than five times weekly.
Patrick's Four-Part Lower Body and Core Workout
In the videos that circulated online, Patrick demonstrated four specific exercises designed to strengthen her lower body and core muscles. She began with a challenging glute and core exercise using a Roman chair apparatus while holding a weight against her chest. This movement involved extending her body horizontally to engage both muscle groups effectively.
Weighted Exercises for Maximum Impact
The former Formula 1 analyst then progressed to weighted lunges with a barbell that appeared to have 17.5 pounds on each side. Following this, she performed hyperextensions with additional resistance provided by a band wrapped around the weight, targeting her lower back, glutes, and hamstrings through controlled hip hinging motions.
Patrick concluded her session with leg extensions on a specialized machine, an exercise that isolates and builds the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thighs. This comprehensive workout explains why fans have been eagerly requesting her fitness secrets, particularly after her viral beach vacation photograph in 2025 showed her lounging in a bikini.
A Holistic Approach to Health and Fitness
The racing champion has consistently advocated for high-intensity workouts combined with nutritional discipline. Patrick follows a protein-rich, paleo-inspired diet and participates in mental-conditioning programs to maintain her peak physical condition. Her commitment to wellness extends to her culinary preferences, where she focuses on simple, whole foods.
'Cooking is one of the most therapeutic things I do,' Patrick revealed during an interview with 24 Hour Fitness. 'I primarily eat a Paleo pescatarian diet, focusing on food that’s high-density nutrition and sourced both locally and organically.'
Her dietary recommendations include grass-fed beef, poultry, fish, game, vegetables, various fruits, nuts, seeds, and eggs. For regular meals, Patrick often chooses premade rotisserie chicken accompanied by steamed spinach and brown rice or quinoa. She does permit occasional indulgences, with trail mix, red wine, and chocolate ranking among her favorite treats.
From Racing to Publishing and Broadcasting
In 2017, Patrick channeled her fitness expertise into a publication titled Pretty Intense, offering readers a 90-day program promising to sculpt bodies, calm minds, and achieve significant goals. The book emphasized accessible workouts targeting strength, endurance, and flexibility—what she describes as the 'holy trinity of fitness.'
More recently, Patrick announced she will not return to SkySports for the 2026 Formula 1 season, concluding a five-year broadcasting chapter that began in Austin. 'I had such a blast! The Sky team was so much fun, I saw so many amazing new race tracks and cities, and got to be part of a huge boom in F1!' she reflected on Instagram.
Revealing a Personal Health Struggle
Beyond her fitness achievements, Patrick has courageously shared her difficult health journey following breast implant surgery in 2014. Speaking with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, she described how symptoms emerged approximately three years post-procedure, eventually escalating into what she termed a 'disaster.'
'I gained weight, lost my hair, [experienced] full inflammation. I was exhausted. I had no recovery,' Patrick recounted. Despite these debilitating symptoms, she pushed through to run the Boston Marathon, which she described as a disastrous experience given her physical state.
After consulting multiple specialists and attempting various medical protocols without lasting success, Patrick underwent surgery to remove her implants in 2022. She has since become a vocal advocate regarding Breast Implant Illness (BII), joining numerous women who have spoken publicly about similar experiences with cosmetic surgery complications.
Patrick continues to share her recovery journey with followers, promoting greater transparency about the potential risks associated with cosmetic procedures while maintaining her commitment to intense physical training and nutritional excellence.
