Gracie Hunt Backs Heavy Weightlifting Over Running After 3-Year Fitness Shift

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 15

Three years after scaling back long-distance running, Gracie Hunt said on The Riley Gaines Show that heavy strength training is now the core of her fitness routine and keeps her energized and confident.
Hunt argued lifting heavy does not make women bulky; instead, she said added muscle supports metabolic health and lets her eat a wider range of foods without tracking calories or macros.
A simple food rule guides that approach: if she could not grow it or make it herself "as a farmer," she generally avoids it, a mindset also shaped by living with celiac disease.
Multiple concussions ended Hunt's competitive soccer path, pushing her toward pageantry, marathons and weightlifting; she said sports and strength training built resilience and body confidence around performance rather than appearance.
For women seeking a sustainable routine, Hunt recommended consistent weightlifting paired with HIIT and enjoyable cardio, framing fitness as a lifelong health practice rather than a short-term aesthetic goal.