From ballet-inspired strength sessions to bodyweight moves that build lean muscle and protect against age-related muscle loss, Anne Hathaway’s personal trainer Monique Eastwood explains exactly how the Oscar-winning actress trains – and the simple principles anyone can use to become stronger, leaner and fitter
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Anne Hathaway has always made fitness look effortless. Whether she’s filming action scenes, starring in musicals or stepping onto the red carpet, the Oscar winner is renowned for her lean, athletic physique and seemingly endless energy.
Behind that fitness is Monique Eastwood, the trainer who has worked with Hathaway for the past four years, helping prepare her for demanding roles including Mother Mary, The Odyssey and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
But according to Eastwood, Hathaway’s physique isn’t built on punishing workouts or extreme diets. It’s the result of consistency, variety and functional strength.
“Anne and I train every week, up to four or five times a week,” says Eastwood. “The key to her strong body is consistency. We mix things up every week with strength training, cardio, Pilates-inspired sessions and ballet movements so the body is constantly challenged.”
Here’s what Hathaway’s training reveals about building a body that’s not only lean but strong enough for everyday life.
Consistency beats perfection
Hollywood transformations often make headlines, but Eastwood says Hathaway’s results come from showing up week after week rather than chasing quick fixes.
“We train every week all year round,” she explains. “Sometimes we’ll add more cardio before filming, but the foundation is always regular movement and strength training.”
It’s a reminder that long-term consistency almost always beats sporadic bursts of motivation.
Why Anne loves ballet-inspired training
One of Hathaway’s favourite elements of training may surprise people.
“Anne loves my ballet-inspired moves,” says Eastwood. “They challenge all the leg muscles while improving strength, flexibility and control.”
Unlike traditional gym workouts that focus on moving weight from A to B, these flowing movements improve coordination, balance and mobility while building lean muscle throughout the lower body.
The result is a physique that’s athletic rather than simply muscular.
Strength always comes first
Although Eastwood incorporates dance and Pilates elements, strength training remains central to Hathaway’s programme.
“My training is always a combination of cardio and strength while maintaining flexibility, mobility and postural awareness,” she explains.
She believes lifting challenging weights becomes even more important with age.
“Lifting a challenging weight is necessary to build and maintain strength, muscle and bone,” she says. “As we age we naturally lose muscle, bone density and strength, so maintaining them becomes one of the biggest priorities.”
Functional fitness matters more than aesthetics
Eastwood isn’t interested in building muscles purely for appearance.
“We all need to be able to hold our own body weight and get off the floor,” she says. “I focus on functional strength.”
That means combining weights with bodyweight exercises such as:
- Planks
- Press-ups
- Single-leg squats
These movements improve balance, stability and coordination while strengthening the muscles we rely on every day.
The one exercise Anne Hathaway’s trainer never skips
If Eastwood had to choose one exercise, it would be the plank.
“I love bodyweight moves like the plank and you’ll always see one in my sessions,” she says. “It’s a fantastic way to build core strength.”
Beginners can start by hovering their knees just above the floor before progressing to a full plank, gradually adding arm and leg movements as strength improves.
Movement doesn’t stop when the workout ends
Formal workouts are only part of Eastwood’s philosophy.
“I always encourage walking fast as often as possible,” she says. “Or try tennis, cycling or dancing. Dancing is so freeing – we need more of it in our lives.”
The goal is to make movement part of everyday life rather than something confined to the gym.
Anne Hathaway’s trainer’s best advice
Eastwood believes fitness doesn’t have to be complicated.
“Keep it simple,” she says. “Make exercise part of your daily life. Start small, build gradually, do activities you enjoy and eat to nourish your body.”
It’s an approach that’s helped Hathaway stay camera-ready through multiple demanding film roles—and one that anyone can adopt.
After all, while most of us won’t be preparing for Hollywood blockbusters, we can all benefit from stronger muscles, better mobility and the confidence that comes from moving well.
