In the fashion world, appearances can be pivotal, but the pursuit of health and fitness is just as vital. As Anne Hathaway gears up for her role in the new installment of Runway magazine, she has been dedicating herself to a rigorous fitness regime designed to enhance both her physical strength and overall well-being.
Hathaway has enlisted the expertise of personal trainer Monique Eastwood, with whom she has worked for four years. “To prepare for her role in Mother Mary, Anne commits to my Movement Method 4-5 times a week,” Eastwood shares with Women’s Health. Interestingly, she has also been the trainer for Hathaway’s co-stars Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci for several years.
Drawing from her background as a dancer, Eastwood has crafted a training approach that melds various physical disciplines. Her method incorporates elements of dance, ballet, Pilates, and conventional fitness techniques that foster a strong and agile physique.
“The focus of my method is on multidirectional movements that emphasize posture and strength,” she explains. “Building a strong core awareness enables movement to become more graceful and efficient.” In her words, “Control and long, elegant lines help train the body and mind to work together intentionally.”
Below, we present a typical full-body workout routine that Eastwood and Hathaway practice. Spanning around 30 minutes, this regimen revolves around repetitive and slow movements, allowing you to concentrate on form and precision.
Anne Hathaway’s 30-Minute Full-Body Workout
Select 3-5 kg dumbbells according to your strength level. Perfect your technique before progressing to heavier weights. Aim to repeat each exercise 10 times on both sides.
1. Diagonal Single-Leg Squat with Pliés
- Begin in a slight kickstand position, facing the corner of your mat. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, stretching your arms forward as you lower into a single-leg squat.
- Extend your raised foot wide into a plié, placing it flat on the floor. At the same time, draw the dumbbells into your chest and press them overhead.
- Lift your heel onto the ball of your foot and perform small squat pulses in the plié, with elbows tucked into your sides.
- place your heel back flat on the ground and press the dumbbells overhead.
- Complete 10 reps before switching sides.
2. Long Back Lunge into Single-Leg Squat
- Start in a long lunge position with your back leg extended. Reach the arm on the same side as your back leg straight forward.
- Transition into a single-leg squat, keeping your heel raised in a kickstand position.
- As you lower, switch arms; lower the first arm and extend the opposite arm diagonally.
- Step your back leg into a long lunge again while switching arms once more.
- Perform a hammer curl with both dumbbells, then extend them back into a tricep kickback.
- Straighten your front leg as you execute a hammer curl, then lower back into a lunge for the tricep kickback.
- Complete 10 reps before switching sides.
3. Deep Side Lunge with Knee Lift
- Stand with your feet together, holding both dumbbells at your chest.
- Step into a deep side lunge while extending your arms back and out behind you.
- Push back to a standing position while bringing the dumbbells toward your chest.
- Lift your working leg into a knee raise, extending the dumbbells in front of your face.
- Lower the leg and extend it straight with your heel on the floor and toes lifted, reaching the opposite arm toward your foot.
- Pull the arm back as you lift the knee and return to standing.
- Complete 10 reps before switching sides.
4. Plank with Single Leg In-and-Outs
- Position yourself in a high plank.
- Draw one knee toward your chest then extend it back behind you.
- Move the leg out to the side at about a 90º angle and lightly tap the floor, then return to center and extend it behind you again.
- Rest this leg across your other leg and push your hips back into a child’s pose, then return to a single-leg plank.
- Maintain strong arms throughout to support your body.\
- Complete 10 reps before switching sides.
5. Curtsey Lunge with Arm Reach
- Step back into a curtsey lunge while reaching the arm on the same side as your back leg overhead.
- Step forward and lift your leg out to the side into a high knee raise.
- As you lift your knee, bend your arm and bring your elbow down to meet it.
- Return to the curtsey lunge and repeat.
- Complete 10 reps before switching sides.
6. Long Back Lunge into Curtsey Lunge
- Step back into a long lunge, reaching the same-side arm diagonally forward while holding the dumbbell.
- Step into a curtsey lunge, pressing the same-side arm overhead.
- Return to the long lunge position and repeat.
- Complete 10 reps on one side before switching.
Strengthening your core doesn’t just enhance appearance; it improves functional stability, power, and balance. For an effective approach, try WH COLLECTIVE’s 4-week core challenge designed by coach Izy George. Check out the Women’s Health UK app for the complete training plan.
