She’s an Oscar-nominated actress, jaw-dropping dancer, mother, model, singer and fashion darling – and 2026 is, without a doubt, Teyana Taylor’s year. But beyond the talent, there’s one question everyone keeps asking: how does she get those abs?
If you’ve been down a Google rabbit hole trying to figure it out, you’re not alone. Here’s everything Taylor has shared about how she maintains her famously chiselled midsection – plus how you can apply some of the same principles to your own routine.
How to get Teyana Taylor’s absGenetics
It’s not what most people want to hear, but Taylor credits a lot of her physique to genetics.
In an interview with Andy Cohen, she admitted that her body has always been naturally muscular. ‘People used to call me a ninja turtle because even when I was six years old, I had a little Buddha belly, but there was still a six-pack on top of it,’ she said in a 2018 US Weekly interview.
She’s not entirely wrong. Research suggests that visible abs come down to a combination of genetics and body composition. Training and diet play a major role, but factors like fat distribution and abdominal structure vary from person to person.
She also joked that after having children, her core actually became more defined. ‘I think my body gets crazier after having kids,’ she said.
That’s not to say she doesn’t train. In the same interview, Taylor explained that while she doesn’t live in the gym, when she does go, she goes all in.
‘I’m super strong, I’m super athletic – I ran track for a little bit, so my body has always been super ripped,’ she said. ‘I try to stay out of the gym, but when I do go, I’m a beast.’
Combined with her dance background, it helps explain her level of definition.
Dancing
Long before her acting and music career took off, Taylor built her foundation as a dancer – and it still plays a huge role in her fitness.
She worked with major artists including Jay-Z, Kanye West and Beyoncé, and credits that background with shaping her physique.
‘I dance. I can do 12-hour rehearsals, I can outrehearse my dancers,’ she said.
Dance is a full-body workout that builds strength, endurance and core stability, which all contribute to visible definition.
In 2024, she launched Fade2Fit – a dance-based fitness programme combining choreography with bodyweight strength training, giving fans a way to follow along with her go-to workouts.
Having a strong core is about far more than sporting a six-pack. Build functional mid-section strength – while also improving your power, posture, coordination and balance – with WH COLLECTIVE coach Izy George’s 4-week core challenge. Download the Women’s Health UK app to access the full training plan today.
Related Stories
Isabelle Knevett is the Fashion Features Editor at Women’s Health, bringing a wealth of experience in media and fashion since 2019. She has led high-impact PR campaigns for global giants like Adidas and Reebok and has reported on everything from fashion analysis and shopping trends, to deep dive features and investigative reporting. A former professional dancer, she understands the value of quality gym and activewear, making her a true expert in the field. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire Australia, ELLE Australia, Australian Women’s Weekly, WHO and more. When she’s not buried in a fashion magazine or sweating it out the gym or dance studio, you’ll find her reading or writing about fashion, feminism and global politics.