If you’ve ever thought about gracing the cover of a major magazine in a bikini, Katie Austin, a model for Sports Illustrated, wants to share that it’s more achievable than you might think.
This week, the magazine introduced four different covers for 2025, featuring stars like Salma Hayek, Olympian Jordan Chile, NCAA gymnast Livivy Dan, and model Laurenchan.
Katie, who is 31 and the daughter of famed aerobics instructor Dennis Austin, has a significant following on Instagram, with over 457,000 fans. She shared insights about her preparation routine leading up to shoots.
“Sports Illustrated swimsuits are the most inclusive, and I want everyone to know they’re accepted, no matter their body type,” she emphasized.
Her approach isn’t about losing weight but rather about shedding self-doubt.
“It’s really about feeling my best, feeling strong and confident as I prepare for filming,” she explained.
Recently, she launched a program, “Swimsuit Strong: 7-Day Body Boost,” which outlines the exercises she follows in the week before a shoot.
“It’s under 40 minutes a day, but it’s exactly what I did before my last shoot,” she noted.
The program is accessible through her app and combines Pilates, aerobic workouts, and strength training designed for effective full-body shaping.
Sticking to her regimen is crucial.
“In the week leading up to filming, I make sure to exercise daily,” she mentioned.
“I eat intuitively and try to stay consistent with my workouts. I also aim for 20-30 minutes of walking each day for my mental well-being. Being in a good headspace before shooting is really important to me.
As for her diet?
“I’m not really restricting myself,” she disclosed. “However, I do avoid eating after 8 p.m. and stay hydrated.”
Being human, she admits there are days when working out feels daunting. When that happens, she employs a simple mental trick.
“I promise myself I’ll only exercise for 5-10 minutes. Once I start, I often feel great and want to keep going,” she shared.
If she sets a longer goal, she might feel less motivated.
When she’s pressed for time, she prefers strength workouts over cardio.
“Strength training makes me feel productive. I often skip cardio since I prefer to maintain a steady heart rate,” she explained.
And if motivation wanes, a brisk walk might do the trick.
“Walking is great for both mental and physical health,” she said. “Even a 15-20 minute walk can make a difference.”
She views walking as a gateway to more intense workouts, providing motivation and energy to kickstart her training.
Katie also shared wisdom from her mother.
“My mom always stressed the importance of strength training, especially for bone density as we age,” she remarked.
“As we grow older, it’s easy to focus more on Pilates and less impactful workouts, but maintaining strength training is key to staying healthy,” she added, noting her mother works out four times a week.
