About a year ago, top pro player Anna Bright started weight training. A lot.

As a pro athlete with a collegiate tennis background, Bright has always been physically fit. But this season she’s really putting on some impressive muscle and documenting her workouts on social media.

Bright entered what she likes to call, her muscle mommy era.

Bright’s physique was highlighted in Pickleball.com’s recent Instagram post where they compared the pro’s head shots from 2024 to 2026. Bright’s muscular growth is put on full display. And she looks great.

“I look jacked in that picture,” said Bright on the Let Her Cook podcast with Kate Fahey.

“I don’t think you get enough credit for how strong you are. And how quickly. You kind of did a 180 with lifting. You were always into working out and you were always fit. But in the last year you’ve gotten so strong,” said Fahey.

“I became a muscle mommy,” said Bright. “I think I must have good genetics because I’ve always lifted, but not super consistently. We travel so much and I was previously just lifting for pickleball. But in December last year, I switched to just lifting like a bodybuilder.”

Fahey and Bright lifted together and Fahey couldn’t believe the difference in their weight training regime.

“I’m lifting like an athlete and you’re lifting to max out,” described Fahey.

“When Kate and I went lifting, she’s doing a landmine press, things for explosiveness and exercises with bands. And I’m just looking at her like, ‘You can go heavier,’” said Bright.

Fahey’s weightlifting exercises are great for pickleball players, but Bright’s more intense weightlifting has not only changed her physical strength, but her game on the court as well.

“Weightlifting has definitely helped my game. I’m hitting the ball harder,” Bright said.

“And I think lifting is so important for women. So many women get osteoporosis and the number one way to combat that if you look at any study is just to pick up and put down heavy stuff a few times a week,” she continued.

“Weight training helps with pickleball but it also helps with feeling confident. I love being able to see muscle, and when I see other girls with muscles, I think it’s such a cool thing,” added Fahey.

And Bright is definitely proud of her muscles. She loves a flex to the camera after a win, or sharing her gym session on her vlog channel.  

Having Bright, one of the best pickleball athletes in the game, sharing how she’s taking care of herself and building a strong body is inspiring in a current culture where people would rather take a pill to lose weight, rather than build muscle through time, consistency, and good habits.

As pickleball players, we don’t need to be trying to max out like Bright. After all, she is a pro athlete. But I love how she’s physically proving just how athletic pro pickleball is.   

Bright is proud of the hard work she’s done in the gym and on the court, and I applaud her for sharing that. You go, girl.

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