"DWTS"'s Lindsay Arnold Gets Candid About Fitness as a Mom

In a recent article, Lindsay Arnold opens up about her journey as a mother and the pivotal role fitness plays in her life. Known for her incredible talent on "Dancing With the Stars," where she claimed the mirrorball trophy in 2017 alongside Jordan Fisher, Arnold’s candid reflections not only resonate with her fans but also serve as an inspiration for many mothers seeking to balance personal health with parenting responsibilities. As she navigates the demands of motherhood, her focus on fitness underscores a broader conversation about the importance of self-care and wellness in today’s busy lifestyles.

Arnold's narrative aligns seamlessly with the elevated lifestyle many aspire to, particularly in the realm of fashion and personal well-being. Her commitment to maintaining an active lifestyle is both aspirational and attainable, reflecting a modern muse’s approach to fitness. The balance she strikes between motherhood and her fitness regimen encourages readers to consider how they, too, can carve out moments for themselves amidst their daily obligations. The evolving definitions of femininity and strength in today’s society challenge traditional norms, and Arnold’s story is a testament to this shift. Her experience resonates with themes explored in our recent pieces, such as Not Croc—Fashion People in Their 30s and 60s Are Wearing This Elegant Shoe Trend With Jeans, which celebrate styles that blend practicality with sophistication.

Moreover, Arnold’s perspective on fitness as a form of empowerment is particularly poignant in a cultural landscape that often places unrealistic expectations on women. By embracing her strength and sharing her journey, she invites a more inclusive dialogue around fitness—one that recognizes it as a personal and evolving journey rather than a destination. This approach is echoed in our exploration of how fashion intersects with lifestyle in pieces like A Little Bit Sexy and a Little Bit Romantic—This Is the Top of the Summer, where the conversation about what it means to feel confident and stylish is equally layered and complex.

As readers engage with Arnold’s candid reflections, they are reminded that the act of prioritizing wellness is not merely about physical appearance; it is fundamentally about nurturing one’s mental and emotional well-being. In a world that often glorifies a relentless pursuit of perfection, Arnold embodies a refreshing authenticity. Her approach encourages women to embrace their individuality, recognizing that true strength lies in vulnerability and the courage to share one’s truth.

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Lindsay Arnold continues to evolve her narrative as both a mother and a fitness advocate. Will her influence inspire a new wave of wellness-focused conversations among mothers and beyond, perhaps reshaping societal expectations around fitness and femininity? As more women share their stories of resilience and strength, we may witness a significant cultural shift that champions authenticity and self-care as prerequisites for success in all aspects of life. The dialogue is just beginning, and the impact of voices like Arnold’s could very well redefine what it means to be a modern woman in today’s world.

Lindsay Arnold is one strong mama. The world first fell in love with her after a sparkling run on "Dancing With the Stars," where she became the second-youngest pro in the show's history and ended up winning the 2017 mirrorball alongside Jordan Fisher. For a while, dance served as the ultimate fitness routine. But since stepping away from the show in 2021, her life looks a little different — workouts included. For starters, she's currently 31 weeks pregnant with her third child. "Let's just say I don't have the days [of] waking up whenever I want, going to the gym for however long I want," Arnold tells Popsugar. "That life is amazing, and I had that at one point in my life, but I don't anymore." Don't let that fool you into thinking she's given up on health and fitness, though. Quite the opposite actually. After leaving the show, Arnold turned her talents to fitness, creating an at-home workout platform called The Movement Club, and matching equipment like her new Everything Band. "Being able to get workouts that are efficient, that are actually effective, but that are quick, not wasting my time — that's everything we do here," she says. These home workouts also play a big role in Arnold's personal routine, giving her time to clear her head, break a sweat, and set the tone for the day. "What works for me is waking up before my kids," she says. "Every single day looks like a warm-up with some form of cardio, whether that's hopping on a bike ride, walking on the treadmill — just easing my body into 'wake up, we're moving.' Then it's always finished off with at least a 30-minute Movement Club workout." "I always try to do something for myself after my workout." She takes recovery seriously, too . . . and we're not just talking rest days. "Before pregnancy, I was doing saunas and cold plunges every single morning after my workouts," Arnold says. "I've shifted during pregnancy for safety reasons, but I always try to do something for myself after my workout . . . to collect my body and my mind before getting into the craziness of motherhood." It's true what they say: consistency is key. But if you ask Arnold, we may have lost the plot about what that actually means. It doesn't have to be such a tremendous barrier, she explains. In fact, consistency can actually be a major source of motivation. Sleep through your alarm? That's OK. Feeling low energy? No worries. Even a little movement is better than nothing at all. "People think that being consistent means you have to be perfect, and that every workout needs to look a certain way . . . if you can throw that out the window, you're going to find that consistency can be a lot more attainable," Arnold says. "Consistency could be a five-minute walk. It could be a five-minute stretch video. It could be a five-minute arm class." "Consistency could be a five-minute walk." Since having kids, what once was a purely functional tool for Arnold's work on "Dancing With the Stars" is now one of her biggest outlets. Working out is how she manages stress, gets her endorphins flowing, and carves out time for herself as a mom and a businesswoman. "[Focus on] the 'why' and what it's giving to you — what moving your body makes you feel, rather than looking at it as a punishment or something that you have to do," Arnold says. "My 'why' is truly because I — without a doubt — show up better as a mother, wife, friend, sister, business owner when I'm consistent with my movement." This realization didn't happen overnight. At the start of Arnold's wellness journey, her "why" was completely different, and looking back, far less effective. "I will admit when I was younger, my 'why' was because I wanted to look a certain way, or I needed to fit into a costume . . . and that is just not attainable. It's not long term, especially as women, when we go through so many changes in our body," she says. "Shifting my 'why' to how movement makes me feel and how I can truly be a better version of myself . . . has helped me be more consistent than any other 'why' that I've had in my life so far." 49475311 Chandler Plante (she/her) is a social producer and staff writer for the Health & Fitness team at Popsugar. She has over five years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.

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