5 Reasons We’re Pretty Sure That Ariana Grande May Secretly Be a Runner
The evidence that the pop star loves to lace up just like the rest of us is piling up. Sort of.
Even if you don’t particularly care for her music, you undoubtably know of Ariana Grande. She’s been at the top of the pop culture pyramid for a while now: Through massively popular albums like Sweetener and Dangerous Woman; as a tween and teen star on a pair of Nickelodeon shows; and by earning six Grammy nominations to date.
Media and fan obsession with Grande’s workout routine has more than matched the fervor surrounding her artistic career. Grande and her celebrity trainer, Harley Pasternak, have shared some details, but confirmation on the running front has been surprisingly elusive.
Here at Runner’s World, we believe everyone has it in them to be a diehard runner—Ariana Grande included. So, we did a little digging to see just how likely it is that lacing up is part of her workout, and are pretty confident that running just may play a part in there. Once you’ve seen the evidence, we think you’ll agree, too. All we can say is, it takes one to know one.
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She has her own line of Reebok running shoes
In September 2017, Grande announced a partnership with Reebok, which continues today. One result of that partnership? A line of Grande-inspired footwear, prominently featuring two running shoe models.
Treadmill workouts give her inspiration
In a 2017 Coveteur feature on Grande that focused on her Reebok partnership, she revealed just how crucial treadmill workouts are to her work and her daily routine.
“I have a lot of ideas on the treadmill. If I need help writing or being creative, or coming up with an idea, [I’ll work out],” Grande said in the article. “I came up with the idea for the ‘Side to Side’ video on the treadmill.”
In an episode of her behind-the-scenes YouTube show, Grande confirmed that habit hasn’t waned. In it, Grande said she had the inspiration for her performance of “God Is a Woman” at the 2018 Video Music Awards in August while on the treadmill. To the trained eye of a Runner’s World expert, that’s a telltale clue—it’s far from the first time we’ve seen inspiration come from running.
She has favorite L.A. running routes
An interview with Shape from way back in 2012 revealed that, even at that point in her life, Grande loved a good trail run: “I jog up to the Hollywood sign every weekend. It’s fun and what a view!” she told the magazine. Six years later, who knows what trail running heights Grande has reached. In other words, step aside, Courtney Dauwalter.
Her trainer has a daily step count requirement
This one’s no secret—Grande and her celebrity trainer, Harley Pasternak, have told media on multiple occasions about the daily 12,00-14,000 step count requirement he asks of her. Sure, Grande has said in the past she likes to move around as she works, but that only goes so far. But logging some quick miles on the treadmill (12,000 steps is about six miles for an average person), climbing to the Hollywood sign, or just lacing up for a run through the neighborhood? That would do it.
She runs (sort of) in her music videos
About a minute and 20 seconds into the 2018 music video of her song “The Light is Coming,” we finally see Grande’s running form directly, and it is...something. Okay, maybe it’s not the stride she’d use if she was seriously trying to mow down the miles. But it’s a clear sign of her undeniable passion that Grande, who has plenty of creative input in her music and performances, would include some running (on what looks like a highly technical trail) in her music video.
Jacob joined Runner’s World and Bicycling as an editorial fellow after graduating from Northwestern University in 2018, where he studied journalism. His work focuses mainly on news and service pieces for both audiences, with the occasional foray into longer feature work and product reviews. He especially loves to highlight the journeys of unique runners and riders doing amazing things in their communities.
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