If you’re sick of being bombarded with bikini diets, we have the antidote. Our annual round-up of the fittest females includes those who proudly advocate for positive body image. We salute all warrior women of all ages and body types, who use their platform to inform and educate about physical and mental health conditions.
Through blood, sweat and tears, these 30 fierce femmes show up every day to strive to be healthier and happier. Major inspo incoming…
The judging panel
Louise Bennett - Head of Life and Style, heat
A qualified PT and full-time nosey parker when it comes to the fitness habits of famous folk, Louise has quizzed celebs on everything from motivation to specific exercise regimes.
Jenny Francis - RWL trainer
Jenny is part of the team at Lucy Mecklenburgh’s fitness app, and she specialises in helping women stay active during and after pregnancy – plus, she’s a motivational machine!
Jules Von Hep - Tanning expert and body confidence champion
After 15 years as the celebs’ go-to tanner, Jules founded @theisleofparadise, a beauty brand dedicated to inclusivity and body acceptance.
30) Megan Grubb, 28
Megan has been serving us fitness inspo online for nearly a decade on YouTube, Instagram and her fitness app Beyond. But after having her daughter Winnie in 2023, she has a whole new appreciation for her body.
How has your relationship with fitness changed since becoming a mum?
I want Winnie to see that fitness can be fun. I want her to see me enjoying movement and then she’ll be more likely to have that mentality when she’s older. She is sometimes in the room with me when I’m training, and she finds it all quite funny – especially when I do a hip thrust!
You’ve been training for over 10 years now – has your routine changed?
The foundations are still pretty much the same because I’ve found my love for weightlifting – that’s why I’ve been able to stick at it for so long. You have to find the type of movement that you actually enjoy.
What was the inspiration for your fitness app Beyond?
Beyond is nearly four years old now, and I wanted to create a safe space for fitness that doesn’t use any toxic language. I also wanted the app to be something that could show you that fitness can help you both mentally and physically.
29) Simone Biles, 27
Just when we thought we couldn’t be any more obsessed with the US athlete, she released her tell-all documentary on Netflix about her journey to the Olympics and got candid about her body image. ‘In the gymnastics world, you can get a little bit shy about your body because you are very muscular,’ she said. ‘But we wouldn’t be able to do the things or achieve the things we did without our bodies, so we’re very grateful for them.’
29) Sara Davies, 40
The TV Dragon is all about health first, looks second. After years of yo-yo dieting, Sara said enough was enough, and instead focused on managing her health. With gestational diabetes in her past and polycystic ovary syndrome to consider, she’s made smart, sustainable changes. Her goal? Feeling good inside and out, no crash diets allowed. Amen.
27) Shaughna Phillips, 30
The Love Islander keeps it real with a strict no-filters or photo-editing on Insta policy, along with posting pics of the bad days, as well as the good ones. After giving birth in 2023, she’s lost weight over the past year, thanks to regular workouts, her busy mum-life and a healthy diet.
26) Amy Dowden, 34
Strictly’s Amy is an inspiration both on and off the dance floor. After dealing with breast cancer at the age of 32, she opened up in her documentary Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me, saying that it has completely changed the way she views herself. ‘I think being stripped of everything made me realise that beauty comes from within,’ she said. ‘And, actually, it doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, or how you look.’
25) Giovanna Fletcher, 39
One thing we love about Giovanna is that she always keeps it real, whether that’s the stress of parenting or the journey to loving the skin that you’re in. She’s said, ‘A lot of us are learning to love our bodies, whether we’re a size 6 or 18. I’m still learning, but the more I talk, the more empowered I feel.’
24) Jennifer Lopez, 55
Her Love Don’t Cost A Thing, but she’s certainly paid her dues in the gym. Alongside working out five times a week, Jennifer switches things up by incorporating dance into her routine, saying, ‘It’s no secret that I love dancing, so it doesn’t even feel like exercise to me. I add weights for the arms and focus on moves that engage my core.’ All this hard work is definitely paying off as she feels better than ever, saying, ‘I embrace who I am. I feel sexy, I feel youthful, I’ve taken care of myself, and now it shows.’
23) Meg Boggs, 36
Meg is redefining strength with her body-positive approach to fitness. Known for her powerful lifts and inspiring workouts, this CrossFit queen is all about embracing self-love and encouraging others to do the same, no matter their size. With a huge social media following, she’s proving that movement is for everyone. We particularly loved her Swiftie-soundtracked HIIT workout. If anything’s gonna get us doing burpees, it’s that.
22) Lucy Mecklenburgh, 33
Lucy Meck is living proof you can juggle two little ones and still sneak in a workout, without losing your sanity. Through her platform, Results Wellness Lifestyle, she’s all about home workouts and balance, because who has time for extreme fitness routines? Post-baby, she’s embraced kindness to herself, easing back into exercise at her own pace. Now that’s a philosophy that we can all get behind.
21) Comet from Gladiators
We are in total awe of all the Gladiators, and former gymnast Ellie-Mae Rayner (aka Comet) sums up everything the female Glads stand for: strength, sculpted abs and sisterhood.
What does being a Gladiator mean to you?
It represents everything I am, everything I have been through in my life and everything I have trained for. It’s what dreams are made of – to represent a strong, feminine female.
What does an average week of training look like for you?
I train six days per week for around one to two hours. I’m always super-active in the day and I love long walks with my dog or with friends. It’s a mixture of strength, cardio, gymnastics, climbing and CrossFit. Oh, and I love the occasional swim. I always have one day fully out of training, though, so my body can rest and recover.
What three things do you think you need to be able to cut it as a Gladiator?
Discipline, mental toughness and a physical skill that sets you apart from the rest.
20) Omara Durand, 33
As a Paralympic sprinter with a heart of gold, Omara is not just setting standards – she’s breaking barriers. The Cuban athlete, who is visually impaired, has a huge number of gold medals to her name – and some epic world records. The champion has now retired, but her legacy will no doubt live on, inspiring not just the Paralympic community, but anyone striving to overcome obstacles in their fitness journey.
19) Verity Bowditch, 29
With her strong, sculpted Pilates body and glowing confidence, Verity is delivering major fitness inspiration. Along with teaching reformer classes, this year, she launched her very own Pilates app, Pilates With Verity, combining her expertise with her love of movement. ‘It’s all about making fitness fun and accessible,’ she shares, proving balance and consistency are the keys to success.
18) Binky Felstead, 34
As one of our favourite Made In Chelsea stars, we’ve loved having Binky back on our screens this year in Beyond Chelsea. On social media, she has been open about juggling her busy lifestyle as a mum of three, and how becoming a parent changed her relationship with her body. ‘I’ve worked really hard to love and be proud of how my body has changed, not just to be kind to myself, but to set an example of body positivity for my children,’ she’s said.
17) Katarina Johnson-Thompson, 31
The multi-eventer athlete’s comeback is nothing short of legendary. Despite facing endless setbacks, with injury after injury, she refused to quit. ‘I want people to see me not as someone who something tragic happened to, but as someone who got over something tragic,’ she says. Her incredible resilience paid off in a huge way at the 2024 Olympics, where she secured a well-earned silver in heptathlon. Talk about strength!
16) Scarlett Moffatt, 34
Forget Strictly, we have been living for Scarlett’s recent rediscovery of her love of ballroom and Latin. After dusting off her dancing shoes, earlier this year, the author and TV presenter did her first medal test in 15 years! ‘I was sick of stopping myself from doing something that brings me so much joy,’ she said. Get that girl on the judging panel!
15) Adele Roberts, 45
After undergoing cancer treatment, Adele has proven that strength is mental as much as it is physical. As a radio presenter and all-round powerhouse, Adele has become a beacon of positivity and fitness for anyone going through adversity. She’s regularly sharing her fitness milestones, from her comeback after surgery to completing three marathons in just five weeks. She also set the record as the fastest woman to complete one with an ileostomy. When she’s not breaking a sweat, she’s campaigning for inclusivity in sport.
14) Florence Pugh, 28
Flo is the queen of keeping it real when it comes to health and fitness. Cheese boards and ice cream? She’s all in, and we say why the hell not? The actress balances her indulgences with workouts like kickboxing, CrossFit, and dance, proving that wellbeing is about loving yourself and giving two fingers to societal pressures to conform.
13) Victoria Beckham, 50
Victoria Bekcham's approach to fitness is nothing short of disciplined. Despite a busy schedule, the fashion mogul starts her day at 5.30am with a 7km treadmill workout, combining jogging, walking, and running. She follows up with a rigorous strength session, focusing on legs, arms, and core, always pushing her limits. With her packed schedule of family, fashion, and fitness, she’s delivering on every front!
12) Aj Odudu, 36
Big Brother host AJ Odudu is the queen of keeping fitness fun, blending strength, cardio and flexibility into her routine. Whether she’s jogging through Greenwich Park, or alternating between boxing and Pilates, AJ thrives on variety. Her mantra? ‘Rise and grind and hustle for the muscle,’ reminding us that dedication pays off.
11) Alex Scott, 40
Since hanging up her football boots, former Lioness Alex Scott’s career has been on a winning streak. She’s claimed the role of main host on Football Focus, penned her powerful memoir How (Not) To Be Strong, and bagged the title of Best Sports Presenter for her exceptional coverage of the women’s World Cup this year. Talk about a hat-trick! From the pitch to the studio, here’s how she stays at the top of her game...
For Alex, mornings mean movement. ‘I love exercising first thing,’ she says. Whether it’s boxing or a 5k run accompanied by a podcast, a workout sets her up for the day. When she’s not running or punching the bag, Alex keeps it quick with a 45-minute strength session. ‘I’m in, I’m out – my body just loves it,’ she says.
Alex pairs intermittent fasting with a little help from technology. She uses a continuous glucose monitor to track how her body reacts to food, exercise, and stress. ‘I’m always open to learning new things,’ she shares, calling the insights from her Lingo glucose biosensor a game-changer.
After years of pushing through pain on the pitch, Alex ditched the ‘grit your teeth’ mindset after retirement. ‘I had to reset my thinking,’ she says. She now makes listening to her body a priority. Recovery days are essential, especially for her ankles, so she takes it easy with gentle stretching and time to recharge.
10) Louise Thompson, 34
Following a traumatic birth experience in 2021, Louise has battled issues with her physical and mental health. She has been searingly honest on social media about the journey she’s been on, recently posting about adapting to life with a Stoma bag. Sharing her story with the world, she published bestselling book Lucky: Learning To Live Again.
9) Coleen Rooney, 38
Coleen looked sensational during her recent I’m A Celebrity stint. Her secret? The mum-of-four is said to have stepped up her training pre-jungle to three Pilates classes per week at her favourite studio, Rise Fitness in Liverpool – a serious sweat sesh the WAG once said leaves her ‘aching’ the day after, but feeling ‘amazing’. With no reformer apparatus available Down Under, Coleen was spotted slipping away from campmates to do some squats. Well, you’ve gotta get your fitness fix somehow, right?
8) Hannah Cockroft, 32
Wheelchair racer Hannah, aka the Halifax Hurricane, is an absolute powerhouse. With nine Paralympic golds, 16 world titles, and five world records under her belt, she’s unstoppable. Fresh off her latest wins in Paris 2024, she’s already eyeing the next challenge. Records? Limits? Hannah doesn’t just break them. She smashes them to pieces.
7) Candice Brathwaite, 36
Whether you want to feel motivated for the gym or learn how to manifest your dream life, Candice is a must-follow. The bestselling author – and fitness fanatic – is all about ‘unlocking the life you deserve’ according to her latest book Manifesto, which helps those typically left out of self-help spaces feel seen and realise their potential through physical practices, like gratitude, meditation, and scripting. Whether through her empowering words or her energising workouts, Candice is ever inspiring in the wellness and fitness space.
6) Davina McCall, 57
The beloved host of shows such as Long Lost Family and The Masked Singer is the epitome of ageless fitness. At 57, Davina follows a rigorous fitness routine of weights, yoga, HIIT and more. Passionate about inspiring others, she champions wellness through her online platform Own Your Goals and advocates for staying fit at any age. She’s still recovering from a major op to remove a brain tumour, but with her incredible attitude, we’re sure she’ll be back on top form soon.
5) Cynthia Erivo, 37
Like everyone else on the planet, we loved the Wicked movie. Our main takeaway? Just how impressive it was that Cynthia could sing perfectly while doing all of her own stunts live on set. It takes serious strength to be able to belt out Defying Gravity while being flung upside down in the air and it sounds like her training sessions were no joke, ‘I knew I wanted to do my own stunts, so I really put in the work,’ she said. ‘ I had to shift how I breathed to be able to sing while doing this.’
4) Katie Piper, 41
Having earned an OBE for her campaigning services to charity and victims of burns and other disfigurement injuries, Katie juggles staying fit with her busy schedule by getting up at 5am to run with her local mum mates.
What motivates you?
I gain confidence in seeing progress and breaking through barriers. If one day I’m lifting heavier or getting a better form, I feel really confident, because progress is very attractive to me. I don’t want to be tired at the weekends – I want to be able to commute, work and be a mum who chases them around.
What music powers you through?
A good playlist is essential. For me, it’s mostly ’90s R&B and pop, like Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, Gabrielle and East 17.
What about nutrition?
I got obsessed with @Eddie Abo on Instagram and he loves an egg, so I’ve ditched my regular porridge for eggs. I love my chocolate, too – I’ve definitely got a sweet tooth. You have to allow yourself a glass of wine and a packet of crisps – it makes exercising worth it. Doing anything to the extreme just sets you up for failure.
3) Gemma Atkinson, 40
The former Strictly star is no stranger to sharing her sweat-drenched workouts on social media – and honestly, it’s giving us all major at-home gym envy! But while Gemma’s life may seem super-glam, it’s her down-to-earth vibe that really wins us, and her followers, over. She’s not afraid to keep it real, chatting openly about body image, parenting, and encouraging women (especially over 40) to pick up weights and embrace those gains!
2) Jo Whiley, 59
The broadcasting veteran’s got the ultimate double act: headlining gigs and hitting her health goals. Between late-night radio shows and leg-pressing 120kg, the mum-of-four has completely revamped her diet to tackle arthritis head-on, while embracing strength training to power through menopause with unstoppable energy.
1) Vicky Pattison, 37
Queen of the overshare, Vicky Pattison is this year's heat Fit List winner. She's opened up about her journey with body confidence and her fitness regime.
