Before the terms fitspo and belfie became a part of our normal lexicon, they were hashtags used to identify the fitness models whose bodies we most admired. If one were gauging admiration by the number of followers on social media, then Jen Selter is definitely the queen of fitspo. With more than 11 million Instagram followers and having recently been named #2 on Forbes inaugural list of “Top Influencers” in the fitness category, the 23-year-old former front desk gym clerk has leveraged her world-renowned physique and love of fitness into a social media driven empire. Here, she takes a minute to talk with us about the best beauty products to use during your workout, how to combat a case of the body blahs and the exercises she relies on to keep that famous booty super fit.
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NewBeauty: What are your favorite butt sculpting exercises to get a gravity-defying booty?
Jen Selter: Some of my favorite lower body movements are squat and lunge variations, stair master intervals and kickbacks. I like working them into my workout routine by doing them in two-movement supersets, or Tabata-style, to get my heart rate up. I share all of my workout tips and a complete lower body and booty guide on my app with Fitplan. You get a free week trial, and it’s where I share all my secrets to reach your lower body’s best potential!
NB: How important is diet and nutrition when you’re trying to change your body?
JS: There’s only so much you can do in a gym, nutrition is just as important! It’s crucial to fuel your body with the proper nutrients to recover fast and build muscle. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for cheat meals! A healthy life and a healthy diet is all about balance.
NB: What is your most essential gym accessory?
JS: By far, my number one accessory is my water bottle, I need it to stay hydrated. Sometimes I forget to drink enough water both in and out of the gym. I also love having a pair of gloves to assist me when I’m lifting weights. I like Props Athletics gloves, or any gloves that have a nice design.
NB: What beauty products have you found to be the best to use during exercise and working out?
JS: I really like First Aid Beauty and Caudalie. I’ve seen a lot of great results with different products and like to try new things to see how my skin is going to respond. If I am going to share a product secret with my followers, I want to make sure it is the best. My go-to essentials are First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, Kopari Coconut Body Oil, Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet Cream and Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes.
NB: When do you feel the most pretty?
JS: I think part of feeling pretty is feeling confident. I feel the most confident and accomplished after I set a new goal and reach it. A lot about looking beautiful on the outside is feeling beautiful on the inside. I do my best every day to eliminate negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones about myself.
NB: What do you recommend to women who feel insecure about their bodies?
JS: Stop thinking negative thoughts! My first bit of advice is to eliminate all negative thoughts and negative energy about who you are. No one is perfect, embrace your flaws! It’s what makes you, YOU. Your goal should be to be the best version of yourself, and that means finding confidence and having a positive outlook on who you are. I always recommend waking up and writing down a few things you love about yourself and using them as a mantra throughout the day. Avoid comparing yourself to others and stay focused on you, your goals and your best qualities. For every negative thought, replace it by two good ones, and don’t stop until you appreciate your beautiful self.
NB: What are your thoughts on society’s obsession with big butts? Do you think this trend is going anywhere?
JS: I feel like in the past everyone would only aim to achieve one certain body type, but now people are appreciating and embracing all different types of bodies. This is so important because not everyone is built the same. Women come in all different shapes and sizes so it is important to celebrate them all.
NB: As an expert, can you tell when someone’s had a butt procedure versus when someone does the work in the gym?
JS: I believe people should do what makes them happy because that’s the most important thing in life. I personally prefer the natural look, because I feel accomplished knowing I worked hard to reach goals I’ve set for myself.
