Gabby Thomas revealed that the weight room has always been a challenge for her as she continues to prepare for the 2026 season. She was sidelined from the 2025 World Championships due to an Achilles injury.
Thomas has not been in track action for a while, but she has never stopped grinding in the gym and at practice.
Gabby Thomas Gets Real About the Most Challenging Part of Her Routine
Thomas has remained consistent with her training during the time she was unable to compete. She even sat out Athlos, the female-only track event where she won the 200m silver medal in its inaugural edition in 2024. As she gears up for the 2026 season, the 29-year-old shared a video on Instagram of herself performing a single-leg step-down exercise with a dumbbell.
In her caption, she revealed that exercises like these, and weight training in general, have not been the strongest part of her training regimen, as she faces certain physical disadvantages.
“Weight room is probably the most challenging part of my training (I’m tall and lanky in person) but it’s not always about being perfect or lifting the most weight- it’s about small improvements each day,” she wrote.
READ MORE: Gabby Thomas Finally Breaks Silence With Much-Needed Update on Her Training Return
The Olympian did not skip training during the holidays either. She posted a video of herself lifting a barbell with weighted plates, reinforcing the importance of focusing on small wins rather than trying to emerge as a hero after every session.
Gabby Thomas Reveals 2026 Track Season Plans
Thomas competed at the 2025 Grand Slam Track, winning the long sprints title in Kingston and also achieving podium finishes at the remaining stops. However, her season-ending injury forced her to miss an opportunity to reclaim her top spot in the 200m.
She was in attendance at the Women’s Sports Foundation gala in New York City, where she revealed how she plans to approach the 2026 season. The two-time world medalist said she would spend the early months focused on rehabilitation before returning later in the year for major events such as Athlos and the newly launched World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
Thomas was a force to be reckoned with at the 2024 Paris Olympics, returning home with three gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m relay events. Following her stellar performances, she earned the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year award from USA Track & Field. The 29-year-old, who holds a master’s degree in epidemiology, also volunteers at the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic in Austin, Texas, balancing her elite track career with her commitment to public service.
