“I’ve never had the opportunity to do these because I was always in the gym 24/7 training,” Simone Biles Reveals the 1 ‘Daring’ Sport She’s Learning During Her ‘Break’ from Gymnastics

“I’ve never had the opportunity to do these because I was always in the gym 24/7 training,” the Olympian tells PEOPLE while chatting about her new Athleta line.
Simone Biles is trading leotards for riding boots. The Olympic gymnast, 28, gave a glimpse inside her workouts these days during her break from gymnastics, telling PEOPLE exclusively that she’s taking on a new sport that requires far fewer flips: horseback riding.
And no, she’s not talking about pommel horse, either!Biles is taking horseback riding lessons, a change in pace since stepping back from gymnastics after her four-medal-run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she amassed three gold and one silver. Why? Because the decorated gymnastic is in her era of balance, which is also the inspiration for her latest collection with Athleta. She’s choosing what she wants to do, rather than what she needs to do to stay in tip-top gymnastics shape. And if she’s not joining her husband, Jonathon Owens, for a Pilates class, the athlete is saddling up.
“Other than [Pilates], I really just do my horseback riding lessons. I had one yesterday at 5:30 PM,” Biles tells PEOPLE of her newfound passion. “Usually I have it early in the morning, but since I had calls, we’re like, ‘Let’s do it the night before.’ ” As for how she got into the sport, the 11-time Olympic medalist cited the accessibility to stables now that she and her NFL husband have a newly-built residence in Houston (the couple divides their time between there and Chicago given Owens’ two-year contract with the Chicago Bears).
“There are stables right next to my house and it’s here. So it’s all fencing and equestrian,” she shares. “So I was bored one day and I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’ And I was like, ‘I’m going to start taking horseback riding lessons.’ Because, why not? It’s literally here.” “And our house owner right now, he has a whole bunch of horses and he’s always offered it,” she continues, recalling, “So I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, I’m definitely doing that!’ ”

Biles, who describes her fifth collection with Athleta as “definitely one of the boldest yet,” aligns with her courageous approach as she takes a step outside of her comfort zone with new workouts — which aren’t limited to horseback riding.”I want to start taking ice skating lessons, just because the rink is three minutes from my house,” she tells PEOPLE, adding, “So that’s what my workouts looks like. It looks a little bit different, I feel like it’s a bit daring and just exploring.” “I haven’t started,” she says of her ice skating endeavors. “I have to start my first lesson, so that is coming very soon.” “Yesterday, it was either horseback riding or my first ice skating lesson,” she explains. “And then my horseback riding lesson teacher was like, ‘I’m available!’ And I was like, ‘Okay, cool. We can hold off ice skating a little bit longer.’ “Biles’ step back from gymnastics has allowed her more “freedom” to experiment with newfound passions, a physical and mental balance at the heart of her latest Athleta collection.

“I just wanted it to be not just fitness, but overall wellness,” she says of her latest line with the brand. “I wanted it to be versatile, so that’s why you see some of the pieces that are designed for the gym and also for athleisure wear, and so that’s exactly what we did.” The gymnast’s fifth Athleta collection is a new multi-generational line, including pieces for both women and girls with bold prints and statement cutouts. “We want to make it trendy, fun and versatile,” she says, adding, “And it’s fashion-forward! I wanted it to feel unique. I feel like over the years I’ve developed my own sense of style, and so I think this collection really reflects that.”
While Biles’ is relishing in the joys of freedom and exploring sports outside of the one she’s known and loved since she was six years old, her passion for gymnastics remains strong. “I’ve never had the opportunity to do these because I was always in the gym 24/7 training, so it does give me a little bit of freedom,” she says, adding, “But I still absolutely love the sport of gymnastics.” “I still found myself turning on and watching the girls and the guys and being so excited for Team USA,” she continues. “So I have a great relationship with gymnastics. I’ve always loved it… But obviously life just looks a little bit different right now as I’m currently taking a break.”