Victoria’s Secret Angel Body: The Rigorous Road To The Runway

The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, renowned for casting some of the world’s most popular and beautiful models, is upon us once again. Victoria’s Secret HQ have already confirmed that this year’s event will take place in Paris and will include returning audience favorites Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio, as well as the models of the moment, Karlie Kloss and sisters, Gigi and Bella Hadid.

While the angels themselves are notoriously cagey with details of their diet and workout habits, several high-profile New York trainers have spoken up about what goes into the making of an angel body. Speaking to The Telegraph, co-founder of NYC studio Aerospace, Michael Olajide Jr., explains the pre-show preparation of the angels.

“The girls generally start training a month before the casting and should they be chosen, they continue to train, often upping the intensity until the show.”

Another workout favorite of the angels is New York-based Ballet Beautiful. The studio’s founder, Mary Hellen Bowers, has been credited with getting Natalie Portman into shape for her role in Black Swan, but more recently, she has been training several of the Victoria’s Secret Angels. The classes, which have been described as ‘hard-core,’ focus on barre training, as well as specific exercises to target key muscle groups. Angel Lily Aldridge has stated that she takes Ballet Beautiful classes year round, but she increases the intensity prior to the show.

In an interview with Elle, Justin Gelband, head trainer at NYC studio ModelFit, speaks of his experience working with several angels over the years, and the importance of training in their preparation for the show.

“Yes, these girls are born beautiful, and some have been given the gift of being tall and lean. But lots of girls I work with didn’t grow up skinny. For Karlie Kloss, it took 11 years of ballet. Jasmine did gymnastics for 10 years. They all had to learn how their bodies worked and how to get where they need to be.”

Gelband explains that the angels can work out anywhere from four times a week to several times a day in the lead up to the show. When designing workouts, he keeps the focus on exercises that will target the abs, butt, and thighs, often having the girls perform the workout in heels or with body weights to mimic the weight of the 30 lb. angel wings.

When asked which exercises are most likely to deliver a body fit for an angel, Gelband had a well-rehearsed answer.

“Everyone always asks me which exercises will make you look like Candice or Jasmine. But I don’t answer that because the best exercises are different for every girl. You can do the same workout as Karlie Kloss or Candice, and you still won’t look like them. Everyone has their own set of exercises or movements to get in the best shape for their body.”

While workout regimes vary by the angel, the common trend is high-intensity cardio and rigorous core workouts. Adriana Lima has spoken of her passion for boxing while Joan Smalls reportedly dabbles in the popular martial art, Muay Thai.

Aerospace co-owner Michael Olajide Jr highlights the importance of diet in preparation for the show.

“Nutrition is an important part of the process. The goal is to have the greatest show body they can for the purpose of wearing lingerie.”

Like workout habits, the diet of the angels varies wildly, although most focus on the importance of a healthy diet in general, not just the lead up to the show. Returning angel Elsa Hosk sings the praises of her green juice regime, which she says that in conjunction with a morning cocktail of warm water, ginger, and cayenne pepper, works to reset and detoxify her system.

Not all angels, however, focus on their diet and training in the lead up to the show. Speaking to Style Caster, British model Jourdan Dunn explains her pre-show routine.

“I don’t really do anything [to prepare], I’m really bad, I’m probably the worst. Cara [Delevingne] and I do nothing. We were saying maybe we should sneak in some McDonald’s and KFC and eat it front of the girl’s—but then we thought they might come after us or something.”

The brand has responded to public interest in the health and fitness habits of the angels by launching a Facebook live series, ‘Train Like an Angel,’ giving fans an inside look at the angel’s workout routines. The 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show airs Monday, December 5 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

[Featured Image by Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images]