Zendaya, the multi-talented actress and singer, isn’t one to hit the gym just for aesthetics – she’s gym-averse by her own admission.
Yet, she manages to stay fit and strong through activities she loves and dedicated training when a role demands it. From dance-based workouts to intense preparation for her upcoming tennis drama, Zendaya’s fitness approach is all about making fitness fun and functional. Here’s a look at how she stays healthy and energized.
Zendaya’s Fitness Routine
Workout Breakdown
Zendaya isn’t a fan of traditional gyms – she prefers workouts that feel more like fun than effort. Her go-to? Dancing. Whether it’s learning choreography, freestyling, or TikTok routines, dance is her baseline cardio.
But when a role calls for it, she steps up. For Challengers, she trained five days a week, up to two hours daily, focusing on agility, footwork, and strength under coach Bryan Doo. She even worked with legendary tennis coach Brad Gilbert, treating tennis like choreography to stay mentally engaged.
Off set, Zendaya sticks to light home workouts – think bodyweight circuits, stretching, yoga, or planks on a medicine ball. She also sneaks in activity by walking her dog, biking, or even doing trapeze stunts like she did for The Greatest Showman.
Her secret? Making movement feel joyful. Whether dancing or mimicking tennis footwork, she finds fun in fitness – and that’s what keeps her going.
Diet Plan
Zendaya’s a lifelong vegetarian – not because of health, but for her love of animals. Ironically, she doesn’t even like most vegetables, so she gets creative. Her diet is intuitive and balanced, favoring comfort foods like pasta, pizza, and mac and cheese (she even invested in the brand Goodles!).
She skips caffeine, avoids soda, and prefers juice or lemonade. Breakfast is usually light – pancakes with Nutella or toast with peanut butter. Lunch is often ramen or a veggie sandwich (when she doesn’t skip it on busy days). Dinner is her main meal: salads, rice bowls, veggie stir-fries, or meatless takeout.
Despite her sweet tooth (she’s obsessed with Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream), Zendaya believes in moderation. During intense filming like Challengers, she upped her calories with smoothies and protein bars to fuel training.
Zendaya’s philosophy? Keep it fresh, flexible, and fun – no strict rules, just balance.
Training Philosophy and Attitude
Zendaya’s motto for her fitness routine is simple: “Make it fun or forget it.” She won’t stick to workouts she hates, so she gravitates toward dance, sports, and anything music-driven. Even during intense Challengers tennis training, she treated practice like dance to stay motivated.
She’s not obsessed with scales or calorie counting. For Zendaya, fitness is about feeling strong, energized, and mentally well – not chasing a specific look. She embraces rest when needed and values mental health just as much as physical.
While she won’t force herself into workouts she dreads, she’s incredibly disciplined when a role demands it. If she has to train at 7 AM, she’s there. But you won’t see her posting gym selfies – fitness isn’t her identity, it’s a tool to feel her best and get the job done.
Transformation and Notable Training Moments
Zendaya hasn’t gone through major weight changes for roles, but Challengers pushed her into peak athletic shape. Tennis drills, strength training, and discipline gave her a strong, toned look that made her fully believable as an athlete. Her coach noted, “She did anything an athlete would do.”
She also built upper body strength for The Greatest Showman, learning trapeze with Zac Efron. Despite being nervous, she ended up doing full aerial stunts – boosting both her strength and confidence.
One standout moment from Challengers: after a brutal session, Zendaya ran into 57°F ocean water for recovery – no complaints, just grit. Her transformation wasn’t just physical but mental too. From avoiding hills to completing a tennis bootcamp, she said, “I went far beyond what I ever believed was possible.”
Zendaya proves you don’t have to love the gym to be fit. Dance, sports, and smart motivation work just fine – especially when you’re driven by passion, not pressure.
Zendaya’s fitness routine and diet journey is refreshingly real – no crazy fads, no restrictive detoxes, just balance and joy. She trains hard when a role calls for it, but otherwise sticks to dancing, home workouts, and wholesome vegetarian meals that satisfy her cravings.
Her philosophy? Make it fun, or skip it. Whether it’s dancing around her living room, hitting tennis drills like choreography, or ending the day with mac and cheese and ice cream, Zendaya keeps it honest. And honestly, that might be the most inspiring part of all.