Get in shape like The Masked Singer’s Maya Jama in 6 simple steps – from dancing to eating ‘healthy’ carbs
WHETHER you love or hate The Masked Singer, there is one thing everyone can agree on: judge Maya Jama looks incredible.
At 30, the show’s popular judge is known not only for her charisma on air - but also her smoking bod.
Maya is no stranger to exercise and has previously explained that in addition to the body benefits she feels from getting physical, she finds it great for her mental health.
However, like many of us, she struggles to remain consistent with going to the gym.
"So I’m trying to gain a stone and tone, lol, but I do three days in the gym, see a small result, then do f*** all for three weeks," she wrote on Instagram last year.
"Attempt 999999 at gym bunny."
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Maya enjoys a life of balance and refuses to restrict her fun too much.
In previous interviews, she has told of her love for the pub, a glass of red wine in the evenings, and carbs - namely McDonald's.
To counter this, she fits in a daily HIIT (high-intensity interval training) class in and around her busy schedule.
Personal trainer Lucy Gornall recommends these Maya Jama-inspired moves to slot into your routine…
1. WORK YOUR WAIST
Maya’s nipped-in waist is enviable.
Although genetics do play a big part in the shape of our midsection, there are some exercises you can add to your regime to tone up the waist area.
Lucy recommends these three gems - aim for 10 reps of each and do the circuit three times:
1. Bicycle crunches
Lie back on the ground, hands by your ears, legs extended.
Keep your feet off the floor and upper body slightly off the ground.
Lift up and slowly bring your left elbow to your right knee, bending the right knee and bringing it towards you.
Then, extend the right leg back to the start and drive the right elbow to the left knee. Keep alternating sides.
2. Heel taps
Lie on the ground, with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent.
Your arms should be straight down towards your feet.
Slide your upper body down towards the left and tap your left heel with your left hand, then slide to the right, tapping your right heel with your right hand.
Keep alternating, keeping your head slightly lifted from the ground.
3. Hip dips
Get into a forearm plank position, resting on your forearms and toes.
Keep your core engaged as you slowly drop your hips down to the left, and then to the right. Keep alternating sides.
“If you want to burn fat from the waist, look to incorporate weighted exercises and cardio," says Lucy.
“Plus, a calorie deficit is important when looking to lose fat - so be sure you’re taking in less than you’re burning."
2. BUILD MUSCLE
#strongnotskinny continues to reign, and while there’s nothing wrong at all with being skinny, Maya has previously admitted to wanting to put weight on.
She also told Stylist Strong that she wanted to build bigger legs from an early age.
What do you need for stronger legs, and muscles generally? Food and weights!
“Look to go heavy on resistance two to three times a week,” says Lucy.
“Include compound movements, which work multiple joints and muscles in one go, as they offer far more bang for your buck.
“Turn to squats, lunges, deadlifts and chest presses and aim for six reps, with the last rep being a severe challenge.
“If it’s too easy, go heavier, but check your form is on point or you’ll end up injuring yourself.”
Lucy adds: “Then work on isolation exercises which work just one specific muscle, such as bicep curls, tricep extensions, calf raises and single leg hip thrusts.”
Head to YouTube for easy to follow guides on specific exercises.
3. USE YOUR BODYWEIGHT
Weights (like dumbbells and kettlebells) are great, but Maya also adds body weight exercises to her workout routines.
She previously revealed to Women’s Health that before heading to Australia for her time on I’m A Celebrity… Extra Camp, she followed a summer workout plan which involved burpees, squat jumps, planks, shoulder press, squats, crunches and press ups.
“Bodyweight exercises are great if you’re lacking in equipment," Lucy adds.
“Don’t be thinking they’re all too easy just because there’s no added resistance.
“The beauty of bodyweight movements is that you can go for a higher rep count as there’s no extra weight involved.
"Plus, they place less impact on joints, so they’re ideal if you’re a beginner to exercise or are recovering from injury.”
Try three sets of 20 reps of bodyweight squats, lunges, crunches, press ups and burpees.
“You’ll quickly start to break a sweat,” says Lucy.
4. MAKE IT EASY FOR YOURSELF
If you don’t feel like trekking to the gym for a workout or lacing up and hitting the icy roads for a run, then make like Maya and get moving at home instead.
"Every morning I put good music on and dance around my bedroom or run up and down the stairs,” Maya revealed to Stylist magazine.
She’s also said she’s had an exercise bike at home so she can workout in front of the TV.
“Anything vigorous is great for getting your heart rate up, burning calories and helping you to feel good,” says Lucy.
5. TORCH CALORIES WITH BOXING
Smacking the bag is a great way to slim down and tone up.
Did you know that boxing for one hour can burn through around 800 calories?
It’s also brilliant for toning the upper body, core and glutes.
If you’re adding weights to your workouts, you’ll need to ensure you’re getting enough lean protein and nutritious carbs
Lucy Gornall
“Once a week, I do a one-hour boxing workout with my trainer Bradley Simmonds, who keeps me motivated,” Maya told Women’s Health.
“If I’m on my own, I’ll pump up high-energy songs like Bicycle by Vybz Kartel to get me through my workout."
If boxing isn’t an option, try shadow boxing.
“For this, you’re essentially following the same pattern as you would if you were hitting a bag, but without the bag or the gloves. It’s like punching the air,” says Lucy.
“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
"Place your non-dominant foot slightly in front of the other and maintain a slight bend in the knee, engaging your lower body.
“Throw punches out into the air, returning each fist to just in front of your face, between every punch.”
Feel free to move around, but keep your non-dominant foot in front of the other and fists in front of your face.
6. ENJOY BALANCE
Living a restrictive life and banning everything fun will not make you happy.
A healthy, nutritious diet is essential for staying in shape, but enjoying food and eating some of the ‘naughty’ things you love is OK too.
Maya has spoken out about her love of takeaways - in particular a kebab and McDonald's - but if you want to build a body like Maya, be sure to pack in plenty of muscle-building protein, as well as healthy carbs and a colourful selection of fruit and veg.
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“If you’re adding weights to your workouts, you’ll need to ensure you’re getting enough lean protein - think chicken, turkey, fish and eggs - as well as good nutritious carbs such as brown rice, quinoa and whole wheat pasta,” says Lucy.
"I am slim because of my genetics/metabolism," she added, reminding fans not to assume a health diet is behind her flawless figure.
She loves carbs
Turns out, pasta is Maya's go-to lunch.
"I’m rubbish at cooking, so I swerve the kitchen unless my brother is staying or I’m having a dinner party," she previously told
"Lunch is always a pasta pot with a simple Greek salad.
"I eat a lot of carbs and enjoy meat or fish with potatoes and salad."
And enjoys a cheeky kebab
Speaking of eating whatever she wants, Maya told that if she's dealing with a hangover, the more grease, the better.
"I’m quite unhealthy in general," she said.
"But, on a hangover... you need the grease, bread, and butter.
"My favourite hangover meal is a posh chicken shish kebab because it reminds me of when I first started drinking and lived in Bristol.
"We’d go and do the walk home and go to a place called Rita’s, which is the best kebab in the world."