When the photos of Bethenny Frankel in a bikini hit the internet after the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show, the comments section basically exploded. It was a digital shouting match. Half the people were yelling "body goals," while the other half were busy analyzing every pixel for signs of Ozempic or extreme dieting.
Honestly, the obsession is wild.
We see a 54-year-old woman walking a runway in a denim-cratic double denim bikini or a hot pink polka dot two-piece, and we immediately want to know the "secret." Is it a 4:00 AM gym habit? Is she living on green juice and air?
The reality is actually way more boring—and somehow more controversial. Bethenny has been pretty vocal about the fact that she doesn't hit the gym. At all. She’s gone on record saying she "tried weights once" and it just didn't stick. Instead, she’s become the unofficial poster child for what she calls "natural" movement.
The 10,000 Step Rule and the Death of the "Gym Rat" Persona
If you’re looking for a complex periodization training program, you won't find it here. Bethenny’s "workout" is basically just walking. She aims for 10,000 steps a day, ideally on a beach where the sand adds that extra bit of resistance for the glutes and calves.
It’s low impact. It’s free. It’s also backed by some pretty heavy science. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine actually found that hitting 8,000 to 10,000 steps can slash the risk of premature death by over 50%.
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But for Bethenny, it seems to be more about the mental "noise" than the calorie burn.
"I don't have 'exercise noise.' It's inside your mind saying 'I was good,' 'I was bad,' 'I have to exercise tomorrow' because I wasn't good yesterday. I don't have that."
She’s mentioned that she can go months without formal exercise. She prioritizes sleep over a 6:00 AM spin class. In fact, she’s "militant" about getting 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye, using mouth tape, silk eye masks, and night guards to ensure she actually recovers.
Managing POTS in the Public Eye
One thing people often miss when they see Bethenny Frankel in a bikini is that she’s managing a chronic condition. She was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), which makes her heart rate spike when she stands up.
This makes hydration a life-or-death situation, not just a beauty tip.
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She’s often seen carrying massive water bottles (she recently called the Brümate Rise her favorite) because dehydration makes her symptoms flare. When people critique her frame, they often forget she’s balancing a medical condition that dictates how she moves and eats.
Why the SI Swimsuit Runway Was a Turning Point
Walking that runway in Miami Beach wasn't just about showing off a leopard print Norma Kamali one-piece. It was a middle finger to the idea that women "expire" after 40.
The "cowgirl era" look—complete with a Zandria hat—went viral because it looked fun. She wasn't trying to look 25. She looked like a 54-year-old who has the money to buy the best skincare and the audacity to not filter out her life.
She’s been very open about the "rich b---- creams" she uses, but she also balances them with $15 drugstore finds. Her routine is a weird, chaotic mix:
- High-end: Elemis Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm (she calls it her "holy grail").
- Budget: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Midnight Cream and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser.
- Tech: The HigherDose Red Light Face Mask for redness.
The "Skinnygirl" Legacy and Food Noise
You can't talk about Bethenny Frankel in a bikini without addressing the Skinnygirl elephant in the room. She built an empire on the word "skinny," which has become a bit of a lightning rod in the body-positivity era.
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Critics argue she promotes an unattainable thinness. Bethenny argues she promotes "investing" your calories.
She eats "weirdo snacks" like seaweed wraps with turkey or "nepo baby salads," but she also posts videos of herself face-first in a massive seafood boil or a bowl of pasta in Italy. It’s self-regulation. If she has a big dinner, she has a light lunch.
She’s trying to kill the "binge and restrict" cycle that many women her age grew up with. Is it perfect? Maybe not. But it’s a lot more transparent than the celebrities who claim they "just drink water" while clearly having a standing appointment for filler.
What You Can Actually Learn from Her Routine
If you want to feel more confident in your own skin, the "Bethenny Method" isn't about buying her specific bikini. It’s about these three things:
- Sleep is the Foundation: You can't out-train a lack of sleep. If you have to choose between an extra hour of rest and a workout, choose the rest.
- Stop the Comparison Game: Bethenny recently posted a side-by-side of a photoshopped image vs. a real one to show how distorted our perception has become. Filtering is "destructive," as she puts it.
- Natural Movement: If you hate the gym, don't go. Find a way to get your 10,000 steps in doing something you actually enjoy, like walking the dog or hiking.
The next time you see a photo of a celebrity on a beach, remember that lighting, professional makeup (even for the beach!), and posture do 90% of the work. Bethenny is the first to admit she looks like a "trainwreck" most mornings. The confidence comes from being okay with that.
Start by auditing your own "exercise noise." Are you moving because you love your body or because you’re punishing it for what you ate? Shifting that mindset is usually harder—and more effective—than any diet.