Rebecca “Becky” Downie is a British artistic gymnast who competed at the 2008 and 2016 Summer Olympics. She is a double European champion (2014 and 2016) and 2014 Commonwealth Games champion on the uneven bars as well as the 2019 World silver medalist. She is winner of Longines Prize for Elegance in 2016.
Medal record
Representing Great Britain
World Championships
| Silver medal – second place | 2019 Stuttgart | Uneven Bars |
| Bronze medal – third place | 2015 Glasgow | Team |
European Games
| Silver medal – second place | 2019 Minsk | Uneven Bars |
European Championships
| Gold medal – first place | 2014 Sofia | Uneven bars |
| Gold medal – first place | 2016 Bern | Uneven bars |
| Silver medal – second place | 2010 Birmingham | Team |
| Silver medal – second place | 2014 Sofia | Team |
| Silver medal – second place | 2015 Montpellier | Uneven bars |
| Silver medal – second place | 2015 Montpellier | Balance beam |
| Silver medal – second place | 2016 Bern | Team |
Representing England
Commonwealth Games
| Gold medal – first place | 2014 Glasgow | Team |
| Gold medal – first place | 2014 Glasgow | Uneven bars |
| Silver medal – second place | 2006 Melbourne | Team |
| Bronze medal – third place | 2006 Melbourne | Balance beam |
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Becky Downie, British artistic gymnast and Winner of World silver medalist who talk about her workout, diet and her success story
Namita Nayyar:
Walk us through your spectacular journey about how you were introduced to gymnastics?
Becky Downie:
I first got into gymnastics through a friend at school. My friend was always doing cartwheels in the playground and that is what inspired me to join. I started training when I 7 years old and loved it since day one.
Namita Nayyar:
You are a double European champion (2014 and 2016) and 2014 Commonwealth Games champion on the uneven bars as well as the 2019 World silver medallist. Among all these victories, which one is closest to your heart and why?
Becky Downie:
The 2014 European title was very special as it was my first major medal and it took me a very long time to accomplish that but I’d have to say my 2019 world silver means the most because it really has taken a lifetime for me to achieve and I’ve had to overcome some huge obstacles and setbacks to reach that goal.
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life.
Becky Downie:
A typical day for me is usually waking up about 8am. I then have breakfast and get ready for my first training which usually starts about 10.30am and lasts until 1.30/2pm. I then have lunch at the gym, which is usually always a protein bar and some fruit, have a nap and start training again around 3pm for my second training session.
I finish training for the day around 5.30/6pm then I head home for dinner and recovery which involves icing, a hot bath and recovery flush with my normatec machine. Then I usually watch TV / chill out with my family before I go to bed.
Namita Nayyar:
Exercises that comprise a part of your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share with our viewers?
Becky Downie:
I do cardio sessions 3x per week which are mainly on the bike or cross trainer. I keep the impact low because my impact is high in the Gymnastics gym. These cardio session range from 20 – 40 minutes and are filled with interval training work.
Namita Nayyar:
Share the diet that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit? Five foods you absolutely love that are completely nutritious.
Becky Downie:
I have a high protein diet but I don’t stick to anything fancy. I love to have variety and choice in what I eat so I mix things up all the time.
Breakfast can range from eggs / vanilla & banana porridge / chicken sausages.
Lunch is always a low sugar protein bar and fruit. I like to keep things light before flipping around in the gym. After training I always have a protein shake with skimmed milk and then once I’m home I have dinner which is usually some meat / fish, vegetables or salad and some rice or lentils.
My top 5 food I love and would always be in my diet….. grilled chicken, sushi, blue berries, avocado and bananas.
Namita Nayyar:
Having to train constantly, how do you take care of your skin and hair? Five skin boosters.
Becky Downie:
I try to keep my hair natural and not straighten it to much when I’m training every day. My go to hairstyle is always a high bun and I try to use lots of leave in conditioner and use a good hair mask once a week.
Skincare my two favourite brands are Carbon Theory and Glamglow. I use Carbon theory soap everyday morning and night and then use their cleanser or a glamglow moisturiser. I also love to use baby oil or body butter every evening after a hot bath. I avoid using body moisture before training as it makes me extra sweaty and it can make gripping difficult in training.
Five skin boosters ….. Use a good facial wash / moisturise you face / wearing reduced makeup when training helps keep my skin fresher / A good body moisturiser to keep skin hydrated and for me to combat the chalky gym / Exfoliating body and facial wash is brilliant to use 2-3 times a week.
Namita Nayyar:
With the Tokyo Olympics 2020 being delayed, how are your preparations going on for 2021?
Becky Downie:
I am trying to stay as focused as I can throughout quarantine life. I am still working out 3-4hrs 6 days a week to keep my fitness levels as high as I can. I feel confident I care turn to training well when the timing is right.
Namita Nayyar:
With the current outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, what is your current home workout routine?
Becky Downie:
My home training routine consists of two workouts a day. My morning session included 30-40 minutes of cardio followed by 1-1.30hrs of body conditioning and rehabilitation.
I then do another session later in the afternoon which includes a more body conditioning followed by more gymnastic skill specific drills.
Namita Nayyar:
Five tips to work upon while preparing to become a professional gymnast.
Becky Downie:
Five tips to work on I would say –
1) Flexibility
2) Overall body conditioning
3) Mental training
4) Understanding of the skills
5) Good communication, with your coaches and support team around you.
Namita Nayyar:
Having participated in the Olympics twice, how has it helped you prepare for the upcoming games?
Becky Downie:
Having the experience of being an Olympian definitely helps me prepare mentally and also I know physically what I need to be ready for in terms of the competition preparation. It’s an incredible experience but it can become overwhelming so being able to understand when I need to take a step back is good.
Namita Nayyar:
Share a few words about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Becky Downie:
Follow Womenfitness.net to find more inspiring stories and ways to keeping up a healthy lifestyle.
Becky Downie Social Media Presence
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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