9 Fashion Insiders On Their Go-To Exercise And What They Wear To Work Out

“I’ve always loved to dance and I’m the first on the dance floor when a good song comes on. Even when a tune comes on the radio, I can’t help bouncing my shoulders to the beat. I’ve always felt happy and confident when I’m dancing. When I was a child, my mom signed me up for hip-hop dance classes and I vividly remember enjoying every second of them. I really thought, once a dancer, always a dancer, but doing Dancing with the Stars [Sindlev was a contestant in 2020’s Danish edition] proved otherwise. It was such a challenge – nothing I knew about dance applied to ballroom. The first thing my dancing partner told me was to forget everything I thought I knew about dancing!

“When you’re practicing, your look should be all about comfort. The small styling details really matter; if you don’t pair the right socks with your Latin shoes, you just won’t make it through a week of rehearsals. However, when it comes to performing, you really want to stand out – with plenty of bling, shine and shimmer. For me, it was so much fun pushing the boundaries of what we think a classic ballroom dress should look like. Luckily, the show really gave me the freedom to create looks that spoke to my personal style. I had a lot of fun referencing some of my favorite fashion icons, like Cher and Beyoncé, not to mention my favorite designers, such as Miu Miu and The Attico.”

“There is no such thing as a typical day of training – the only constant is the emphasis placed on warming up. I always, always start the day with an hour and 15 minutes of barre and center practice. Then I might have four to five hours of rehearsal for all the ballets I have coming up, sometimes followed by a performance in the evening, too. Then it starts all over again the next day! I do this five to six days a week, but can be rehearsing three to four different ballets at the same time, so it’s never boring.

“Ballet requires total dedication and commitment, not just to push your body to its physical limits, but to use your mind to control your body and learn and retain new choreography really quickly. Dancers are basically constantly multitasking and trying to make it look effortless! Ballet is incredibly cathartic for me, though; having to concentrate on something so fully stops any other unnecessary thoughts – I totally forget the rest of the world exists sometimes.

“What I wear makes a huge difference to my day, and the key to any ballet dancer’s wardrobe is layers. I always start my day in lots of warm clothes – soft, woolly layers – and as my body heats up, I peel away layer by layer until I need only my leotard, tights and tutu. I need to be able to see the lines I’m making, but, in between rehearsals, I layer up again to keep my muscles warm. I love luxurious sweaters and hoodies and loose, light pants that are easy to slide on and off. Balletwear now is much more sports-like, which is great, but I miss some of the elegant, simple styles they wore a long time ago. I would love to create my own dancewear line one day and combine the two styles.”

“I was introduced to wild swimming by my mom when I was a kid; we have a cabin in the mountains, and we would swim after skiing. I swim two to three times a week during winter, and every day during summer. It’s the best way to start the day, before breakfast and before work, no matter the weather. I feel very zen when I’m in the water; you feel clean and clear in your mind. I always swim with my head under water. I feel more awake. But I think it’s good for me; I haven’t been sick for the past three years.

“In Norway, I swim in freshwater and saltwater. When I go on holiday, you’ll find me in the ocean, not the pool. Nothing feels better than a walk from the beach with some natural salt in your hair. And all you need is a swimsuit; it’s easy to wear and you can jump into the water without the worry that you will lose your top! I would choose a swimsuit made of recycled fabrics, like ‘Las Salinas’ from our seasonless collection. I also take a chunky knit with me for warmth when changing.”

“In 2017, I had run the New York City marathon and had nerve damage, so I was taking a break from running. I was also working on a really intense job and was physically, mentally and emotionally drained. I wanted a vacation, but I didn’t just want to lay on a beach – I was craving some sort of reset. I ended up hiking in Spain, which was grueling but, at the end of the week, I felt changed. I [feel like I] missed seeing so much of the world when [I was] running, but with hiking I’m taking it all in. It’s peaceful and calming and it makes me feel strong.

“I try to do a big, week-long hiking trip once a year. I’ve been to India and Arizona, and now I’m based on the west coast I can hike frequently; LA has amazing trails. I like listening to mellow music. Nature is incredibly healing and hiking feels like a walking meditation. I appreciate the world around me and connect with myself; there’s usually no cell service, so it forces you to be present.

“I always hike in black leggings, and prefer a trail-running shoe over a hiking shoe or boot as they are more comfortable – I like the Nike Pegasus. Nike sportswear never fails me. On top, I dress in easy-to-remove layers and carry a backpack to put them in.”