RIPPED AT SEVEN

Kynlee’s sculpted abs have sparked a frenzied debate but her parents say it’s all down to genes 

- ALULUTHO GUZANA

SHE spends six hours a day working out – lifting weights, doing push-ups, crunches and a whole lot more. The result is chiselled abs that should make her the envy of gym bunnies the world over.

But instead of being applauded for her hard work, Kynlee Heiman has been sparking a heated debate. It all boils down to one simple question: is it healthy for a seven-year-old to look like this?

“What is the point of this?” one person asked in response to pictures of Kynlee that her mother, Angel, recently posted on social media. “Oh, a pushy parent who cannot see how wrong this all is.”

But Angel says even if she wanted to stop Kynlee, she wouldn’t be able to because going to the gym is what her daughter loves to do.

“She trains hard and is strong. What am I supposed to do about it?” Angel asks. “I don’t want to look back and think I had to hide my child because other people couldn’t handle her.”

But if Kynlee, who is from Los Angeles, has her way, people will continue talking about her.

The reason she works so hard is because she’s a keen gymnast and it’s her dream to one day represent her country on the international stage. “She can’t wait to start competing in gymnastics competitions now that she’s old enough,” her mother says. “She’s very focused on becoming an Olympic gymnast one day.”

FROM the moment she could walk, Kynlee was always on the go. Inspired by her mom, who is a former gymnast, she started doing back handsprings and flips at the age of three and quickly started sporting noticeable muscles.

Her six-pack abs became more prominent in 2020 when she and her three brothers, looking for a way to keep themselves busy during lockdown, started competing with each other in fitness challenges.