Danica Patrick, the former racing driver turned entrepreneur and commentator, recently shared a candid photo on social media that’s sparking conversations. It wasn’t a picture of her lifting heavy weights or pushing through a high-intensity workout, but a moment of prayer during a gym session. This glimpse into her personal blend of fitness and faith offers a new perspective on her holistic approach to well-being.
A Moment of Reflection
On a recent Friday, Danica Patrick posted a photo on Instagram of herself praying at a public gym. Dressed in a light blue tank top and matching shorts, she captioned the photo simply: “Sometimes we pray.” The post quickly went viral, drawing attention to the intersection of her physical fitness routine and spiritual practice.
Patrick’s Fitness Regimen: Intense and Varied
While the prayer photo offered a more intimate look at her routine, Patrick is well-known for her dedication to fitness. Even after retiring from racing in 2018, she maintains a rigorous workout schedule. Her routine typically includes:
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods.
- Aerobic Exercise: Activities that elevate the heart rate, such as running.
- Calisthenics: Bodyweight exercises like push-ups and burpees.
- Weight Training: Lifting weights to build lean muscle and lose body fat.
- Yoga: For flexibility, mental clarity, and connecting with her breath.
In the past, Patrick has emphasized the importance of weight training for changing the shape of the body, noting that cardio alone isn’t sufficient for building muscle definition. She typically structures her weekly workouts around three days: one for upper body, one for lower body, and one for full-body exercises.
Favorite Workouts
Patrick has also shared some of her favorite exercises, which include:
- Burpees: A full-body exercise that combines cardio and strength.
- Push-ups: A classic exercise for upper body strength.
- Wall Walks: For flexibility and core strength.
- Man Makers: A challenging full-body movement.
- Running: For cardiovascular health and endurance.
The “Pretty Intense” Philosophy
Danica Patrick’s approach to fitness extends beyond just physical exercise. She embodies a “Pretty Intense” philosophy, which encompasses mental conditioning, a protein-rich, paleo-inspired diet, and a focus on overall well-being. This philosophy is detailed in her book, “Pretty Intense: The 90-Day Mind, Body and Food Plan That Will Absolutely Change Your Life,” and is also explored on her podcast of the same name.
Key Elements of “Pretty Intense”:
- Mind: Cultivating a positive mindset, setting goals, and confronting challenges with confidence.
- Body: Engaging in high-intensity workouts that combine strength, endurance, and flexibility.
- Food: Following a protein-rich, paleo-inspired eating plan for sustained energy.
The “Pretty Intense” program aims to help individuals achieve their highest potential, whether it’s improving their physical fitness, developing better skills in the kitchen, or advancing in their careers.
Balancing Fitness with Other Pursuits
Since retiring from racing, Patrick has successfully transitioned into various other ventures. She currently serves as a Sky Sports F1 commentator, owns a wine company (Somnium), designs luxury candles, and has a clothing line (Warrior by Danica Patrick). Despite her busy schedule, she prioritizes her fitness routine, often sharing glimpses of her workouts and healthy lifestyle on social media.
She also makes time for other activities she enjoys, such as playing golf and attending wine tasting events for her wine company.
Danica’s Skincare Routine
Danica Patrick also prioritizes skincare. Her routine includes:
- Washing her face twice a day with Obagi’s Foaming Gel Cleanser.
- Using iS Clinical Active Serum in the morning to limit breakouts.
- Applying a tinted moisturizer with SPF, such as Chantecaille’s Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, during the day.
- Using Chantecaille’s Stress Repair Concentrate + Eye Cream.
- Applying Jojobae Face Serum from The Daily Essential Co.
- Using tretinoin, a prescription retinoid, at night to regenerate her skin.
- Using JOOV red light therapy for mitochondrial function and smoothing her skin.
Finding Balance and Staying Motivated
Danica Patrick has shared tips for staying motivated and maintaining a consistent workout routine. These include:
- Planning workouts in advance
- Breaking big tasks into smaller sets
- Building confidence with challenging exercises
- Listening to her body and taking rest days when needed
- Walking or doing yoga on low-energy days
- Eating healthy to maintain energy and motivation
She also emphasizes the importance of finding activities that you enjoy, whether it’s weightlifting, cardio, yoga, or walking her dogs.
The Viral Prayer Photo: More Than Just a Workout
The recent photo of Danica Patrick praying at the gym has resonated with many, highlighting the importance of faith and spirituality in her life. It demonstrates that her approach to fitness is not just about physical strength and endurance, but also about nurturing her mental and spiritual well-being. In a world often focused on external appearances and achievements, Patrick’s candid photo serves as a reminder to prioritize inner peace and connect with something greater than oneself.
