The Core Exercise Behind Anne Hathaway's Routine
Anne Hathaway maintains her physical health through a specific, foundational movement favored by her longtime personal trainer, Monique Eastwood. At 43, Hathaway continues to manage a demanding schedule involving film roles such as her return to the spotlight in recent features and upcoming adaptations like Verity. This commitment to fitness remains a priority even as she balances her professional life with personal milestones, including her current pregnancy.
Monique Eastwood, the 59-year-old trainer responsible for Hathaway's regimen, emphasizes movement rooted in her professional dance background. She constructs routines that combine Pilates, strength training, and barre work. Eastwood suggests that the most critical exercise in any session is the plank. She argues that women need the ability to hold their own body weight and transition off the floor to maintain independence as they age.
Understanding the Plank Mechanics
The plank is a bodyweight move that targets the core, improves balance, and stabilizes the body. While some people find the position uncomfortable, its inclusion in a routine provides measurable gains in stability and helps prevent common injuries. To perform a standard plank, one starts on all fours with hands positioned directly under the shoulders. The legs extend backward until the toes touch the mat and knees lift off the ground. Practitioners must draw their belly button inward and engage their glutes to keep the body in a straight line, avoiding any sagging in the lower back.
Beginners or those with back injuries have options to adjust the move. A half-plank performed on the knees reduces pressure on the spine. Alternatively, an elevated plank allows for hands to rest on a bench, making the movement more accessible. Once a base level of stability is reached, variations like side planks, shoulder taps, or hip dips allow individuals to increase the difficulty of the exercise over time.
Scientific Evidence and Practical Application
Research published in the European Journal of Sports Science confirms that consistent plank training, performed three times per week over a 12-week period, produces tangible physiological improvements. These benefits range from increased muscle mass and improved posture to better cardiovascular health. The exercise aids in lowering heart rate and shifts the nervous system toward a rest-and-digest state. By strengthening the abdominals, obliques, and back, the move supports functional movements like bending, reaching, and carrying heavy objects.
Monique Eastwood advocates for keeping fitness simple to ensure consistency. She notes that people should not view exercise as an overwhelming chore or a source of guilt. Instead, she suggests integrating movement into daily life, starting with short bursts of activity. Whether a person manages 20 seconds or two minutes, the cumulative effect of regular practice provides a path toward sustained health without the need for specialized equipment or gym memberships.