Don’t underestimate Carrie Underwood; her leg strength is impressive! The country star has even joked that she could kick down a door, especially when wearing her signature high heels, which she claims also benefit her calves. In a 2021 interview with Women’s Health, she talked about how these fashionable choices serve a practical purpose for her muscles.
It appears Underwood spends plenty of time getting fit. In a 2020 chat with Business Insider, her trainer revealed that Underwood combines her concert rehearsals with workouts. They include singing while running or jumping rope to help her build stamina for her performances, all while in her stylish heels.
As mentioned by Glamour, Underwood’s favorite leg exercises include bodyweight moves like squats followed by lunges. Over the years, her leg routine has evolved from her early days on “American Idol,” showcasing a remarkable transformation that has enhanced her fashion sense.
Her Transformation Journey
When Carrie Underwood first appeared on “American Idol” in 2005, her legs were not quite the toned marvels they are today. Growing up in Checotah, Oklahoma, where she participated in basketball and softball, she maintained an athletic figure but was still developing her iconic look.
During her “Idol” era, Underwood favored longer dress styles. She underwent a physical transformation that she struggled with throughout the competition, even expressing concern about gaining weight, which led her to unhealthy dieting practices. She later shared that negative comments online affected her self-image, pushing her to buy larger clothing sizes.
Initially, she took drastic measures to lose weight through extreme calorie restrictions and barely any exercise. Eventually, Underwood recognized the need for a healthier lifestyle and abandoned those harmful diets, which enabled her to achieve a strong and fit physique.
Glamorous Legs and Stylish Outfits
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Underwood’s debut album, “Some Hearts,” released in 2005, set the stage for her future success. By the end of that year, she showcased her talents at the American Music Awards, delivering performances in standout outfits. One particular highlight was when she wore an eye-catching mullet dress that revealed stylish shorts, demonstrating her transformation.
By then, her legs were notably more defined than during her “Idol” tenure, leading her to be acknowledged in various media for her stunning legs. She began to appreciate the artistry of high-end footwear, later sharing her growing knowledge of designer names, blending fashion with function in her public appearances.
A Worthy Investment in Her Legs
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Celebrities often insure their famous features, so perhaps Carrie Underwood ought to do the same for her remarkable legs. One memorable occasion was at the 2009 “American Idol” Season 8 finale where she showcased her legs with four pink Hello Kitty bandages beneath one knee, contrasting them against a stylish ruffled Jenny Packham minidress and silver peep-toe heels. This ensemble highlighted her tall and elegant look, reminiscent of a supermodel.
Instead of concealing her injury in a long gown, Underwood embraced showcasing her fabulous legs. In an interview with People in 2010, she stated, “My fave feature is my legs.” That summer, she walked down the aisle with professional hockey player Mike Fisher in a breathtaking gown designed by Monique Lhuillier, who revealed she made the dress to accentuate Underwood’s beautiful legs.
2010 was a landmark year for her, not just because of her wedding but also as she made history by becoming the first female to win entertainer of the year at the ACM Awards twice. Later that year, singer Michelle Branch admired her legs on Twitter, humorously expressing her desire to have them.
Tips for Enhancing Her Legs
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In 2010, Carrie Underwood was celebrated by Victoria’s Secret for having the sexiest legs on their “What Is Sexy?” list. She demonstrated why at the 2011 “American Idol” finale wearing a patterned Lorena Sarbu dress that brought attention to her stunning legs.
The short length of her dress put her legs on display, and months later, she shared with Us Weekly her secrets to looking great. While she acknowledged that genetics played a part, she emphasized the importance of hydration for achieving her legs’ glossy appearance. Later, she admitted using shimmer lotions to highlight her hard work and maintain their attractiveness, even if she wasn’t hitting the gym as often.
In a chat with Self, Underwood mentioned adjusting her workout routine before events to keep her legs from looking swollen. However, her husband sometimes questions her short dress choices, reminding her that they might be too revealing.
From Star to Fitness Brand
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As Carrie Underwood continued to enhance her physique, her career flourished as well, becoming the voice of Sunday Night Football in 2013. She joined forces with Miranda Lambert to release the hit “Somethin’ Bad” in 2014, showcasing her iconic legs during their performance at CMA Fest.
Lambert has expressed admiration for Underwood’s legs and had the chance to inquire about her fitness regimen during the music video shoot for their duet where they played rebellious characters.
A year later, Underwood pivoted to business by launching her fitness apparel line, Calia, while simultaneously revealing that the healthy glow of her legs emerged from two self-tanning products she blends personally. During that time, she was balancing motherhood and her career, as she had just welcomed her first son, Isaiah, remarking on how her body had adjusted after childbirth.
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Taking Fitness on Tour
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Carrie Underwood maintains her impressive legs by staying active, especially during her demanding tours and performances. In early 2016, she gave fans a glimpse of her customized mobile gym set up for her “Storyteller” tour, which included dumbbells and an elliptical trainer. She embraced the motto of getting fit by summer, sharing her fitness journey on Instagram.
At the ACM Awards that April, Underwood showcased her toned physique in a striking silver mini dress and eye-catching heeled sandals. By that time, her hard work and dedication had clearly paid off.
Later that year, Underwood reached a milestone by winning her 15th CMT Music Award and hosting the CMA Awards. While discussing her fashion choices, she noted that being shorter at 5’3″ often led her to prefer shorter dresses. However, she embraced her scarred legs as symbols of strength from her athletic background.
Taking a Break After Baby No. 2
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In 2018, Carrie Underwood released her album “Cry Pretty,” marking a significant year as she returned to the stage after a serious facial injury. This injury prevented her from singing until she had sufficiently healed.
That August, she revealed on Instagram that her planned tour start had to be postponed because she was expecting her second child. Showing her baby bump, she made an appearance at the CMT Artists of The Year Awards in a stunning blue sequined dress, walking the red carpet in stylish heels despite the challenges of pregnancy.
After the arrival of her son, Jacob, in January 2019, Underwood candidly shared her struggles with getting back into shape, acknowledging that her fitness capabilities had changed. However, she shifted her mindset to focus on what she could still achieve.
Making an Impact with One Leg
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At the 2020 ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood demonstrated that a single well-defined leg can command attention in a gown featuring a high slit. The sparkling gown accentuated her toned thigh, enhancing her presence on stage as she achieved her third entertainer of the year accolade.
Underwood’s glowing leg caught the light as brilliantly as her sequined attire. In a previous interview, she recommended a product for achieving that glow: Ofra Cosmetics RCK Body Glow, a tinted lotion with shimmer.
In 2020, while releasing her holiday album “My Gift,” she also launched her Fit52 fitness app and published a book detailing her fitness journey. This endeavor encouraged fans to follow her path to fitness, as she shared insights into her evolving workout routine and how it has adapted over the years, focusing on exercises that are easier on her knees compared to her more intense training in her younger days.
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Carrie Underwood’s Stunning Leopard Print Dress
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In July 2022, Carrie Underwood achieved a significant milestone by performing alongside Guns ‘N Roses in London. Earlier that year, she made a grand entrance at the CMT Music Awards flaunting a striking purple cheetah-print dress by Dolce & Gabbana, distinguished by its daring split. This eye-catching outfit was perfect for the occasion, especially after celebrating her collaboration with Jason Aldean, “If I Didn’t Love You,” which won video of the year.
Underwood’s performance of “Ghost Story,” which took place high above the audience while she was suspended from silks, was a highlight of the night. She shared thrilling moments from the event on her Instagram, where fans praised her incredible acrobatic skills along with her stunning legs. One comment humorously dubbed her the “Gold medal winner in the legs Olympics.” Another fan exclaimed, “Her legs are everything.”
Speaking on the attention her toned legs receive, Underwood shared with Extra, “I mean, it’s my one card to play, man, so I play it.” She added that her challenging. aerial performance was inspired by the acrobats she had featured in her Vegas show “Reflection,” noting that training for it engages a different set of muscles.
Mixed Reactions on Her 2023 CMT Music Awards Outfit
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At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, Carrie Underwood opted for another leg-elongating ensemble, wearing a striking silver Dolce & Gabbana tailcoat paired with shorts. While many admired her look, some critics felt the outfit showcased excessive muscular definition in her legs. One Reddit user remarked, “Her legs are too muscular. They used to look sexy, now they look like rocks.” Another suggested, “Baby girl, skip a leg day or two hundred.”
It was pointed out that Underwood’s impressive physique may come from the pressure to maintain her fitness standards, which fans expect. However, in a January 2023 conversation with People, she mentioned that her focus has shifted away from looks, stating, “Now I feel like I work out more to be strong and to have energy and longevity.”
There’s speculation she may welcome a break from the spotlight on her legs. In a 2024 “Good Morning America” interview, she discussed returning to the judges’ panel on “American Idol,” taking over Katy Perry’s spot. She expressed, “I can’t lie … I feel like I’ll be very honest, but hopefully, you know, I can be very constructive.” Fans now wonder when she’ll collaborate with Shakira on a project titled “Legs Don’t Lie.”