Fitness Influencer Katie Austin’s 5 Favorite Workout Moves

The three-time SI Swimsuit model is the founder of The Katie Austin App, a virtual platform with a library of more than 250 exercise videos.

Katie Austin was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Fitness influencer Katie Austin is always trying new moves and sharing all sorts of  videos with her Instagram and TikTok followers, as well as subscribers of The Katie Austin App.

She shares low-impact, equipment-free workouts, high-intensity cardio moves, videos to target the upper body or lower body, as well as Pilates and yoga workouts. While her website has fitness options for every person and for whatever kind of activity you are in the mood for—in addition to healthy, delicious recipes—she does have her own set of favorite moves.

The 2023 SI Swimsuit model, who co-won the ’21 Swim Search and was named co-Rookie of the Year in ’22, has built her platform to encourage fans to live active lifestyles. Here are Austin’s five favorite fitness moves.

Standing cross crunch

Place your hands behind your head and drive your opposite knee to the opposite elbow. This move really opens up your chest, Austin explains.

“What I really want from you guys is an audible exhale every time you crunch,” she says. “The more you exhale, the more you’re really going to engage that core.”

Do this move three times for 30 seconds each with a 10-second rest in between each set.

Curtsy lunge

Step back as you would for a backward lunge motion, but cross your leg behind you and to the opposite side. This move targets the legs and all three glute muscles.

Keep your hands on your waist and move slowly, coming back up to full standing straight as you shift from one leg to the other. Do 16 reps of this move and repeat that three times, with a 10-second rest in between each set.

“The key to all of these moves is great posture, and [keeping your] core engaged,” Austin shares.

Bicycle crunches

Austin says this exercise might seem basic, but it’s really just “tried and true,” and an amazing, low-impact cardio and ab workout.

“I want you guys to slow it down, slow and steady, let’s really work that core,” she adds. “Keep those shoulders up, off the mat.”

Do this move for 30 seconds and repeat three times with a 10-second rest in between each set.

Hip bridges

Austin encourages focusing on your pelvic floor with this move to get maximum results.

“Your pelvic floor is obviously internal, but what you can do is tuck those hips under, pushing [against] those heels and picking your booty up, off the mat,” she says. “You’ll really start to feel the burn.”

Hold the bridge for 20 seconds, three times, with 10-second breaks in between.

Cross-diagonal standing reach

“This is a Denise Austin classic move,” Austin says in reference to her 1990s fitness icon mom. “This is so good to burst your energy levels, to rejuvenate you. If you feel tired at your work desk just start to do some cross-diagonal reaches.”

Austin performs the move standing up by extending her right leg to the side and her right hand all the way up and to the left. She then switches to extending her left leg out and lengthening her left arm above her head and to the right.

“Honestly, just do this until you feel better,” she shares.

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