Fitness in Focus: The Workout Secrets of Anne Hathaway and the Devil Wears Prada 2 Cast
This week, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic fashion film arrives. The cast has maintained enviably good shape after 19 years. Monique Eastwood, who trains Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, tells Harry Bullmore exactly how they have managed it.
"Lovely chatting as always. I'm off to teach Annie now," trainer Monique Eastwood tells me as we wrap up our video call. "Annie" to you and me is global superstar Anne Hathaway. Eastwood also casually drops "Stan" (Stanley Tucci) and Emily (Emily Blunt) into conversation as if they are not Hollywood royalty. But to her, they are not just clients—they became friends to the extent that members of this group now go on holiday together. Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci represent a significant chunk of The Devil Wears Prada 2's core cast. Despite 19 years passing since the original was released, all three have retained the svelte physiques associated with the popular film about the fashion industry. If anything, they look fitter and stronger than they did in 2006. "I think Stan looks hotter now," Eastwood jokes. "He is much stronger and more in control of his body." Hathaway credits Eastwood's training with "changing her life," helping her feel "physically stronger and more flexible." She even says her "outlook on life has improved" through their work together.
What Makes Eastwood's Method Different?
So what is Eastwood doing differently? The former ballerina blends dance, Pilates, yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training, and multidirectional movement into choreography-esque flows. Clients find this novel approach fun, refreshing, and more engaging than a classic cardio workout or trip to the gym. Their lean physiques are a welcome byproduct. Below, Eastwood explains how she ensured her clients were cover model-ready for The Devil Wears Prada 2, and shares a sample workout that Independent readers can try.
Anne Hathaway's Workouts for The Devil Wears Prada 2
While filming a scene from "Prada," as Eastwood casually calls it, a snapped high heel sent Hathaway tumbling down a set of steps. The incident was caught on camera. "Did you see her fantastic fall?" Eastwood asks. A seemingly odd question—no one wishes a bruised bum on a friend. But Eastwood was delighted by how quickly Hathaway bounced back up. To deliver this resilience, Eastwood's sessions contain many ingredients—some focus on strength, others on mobility, balance, or power. The emphasis shifts depending on the client's goals and needs. For Prada, Blunt did more intense sessions to develop the lean look associated with her character, while Tucci strengthened his core muscles to support the immaculate posture his role required. Hathaway, on the other hand, favours ballet-inspired workouts which give her "that feeling of poise and elegance." "I consistently mix things up," Eastwood adds. "Some days we might use light weights; some days we might use slightly heavier weights; I will often add in jumps too. You have to have the hard with the easy."
Not Every Workout Should Wipe the Floor With You
Eastwood adapts her workouts to suit her clients' hectic schedules. To prepare for a specific role, she might make Hathaway's workouts slightly more challenging. To counteract her "flat-out" filming days on Prada, she switches to "maintenance" mode—less intense, stretch-centric sessions. "There's no point in me putting them in a high-alert state with a HIIT class before they go and do a crazy full day of filming and running around in high heels," Eastwood says. Most clients see her for four or five 60-minute sessions each week. But results are not immediate—progress takes time. "I started working with Annie when she was doing a dance film called Mother Mary," Eastwood says. "Annie laughs because, when she first met me, I told her that working with me is a three-year course, at least. It's time and consistency that will give you the ability and mindset needed to move like a dancer. And now she totally gets it." Training is a key element of her clients' morning routine, even on holiday. "We go away on holidays together and it's part of their lifestyle—they wake up in the morning and they want to train," says Eastwood. "Sometimes they're all together, which is such a laugh because you can imagine how cheeky they are as a group. I have to be bossy, and I sneakily get them to do what I want them to do."
The Secret Ingredient: Multidirectional Movement
Multidirectional movement is the common denominator behind workouts that forge robust, mobile bodies, Eastwood says. This is vital for actors, whose jobs often hinge on staying injury-free. "I'm 59 years old. I've trained my body since I was young, as a dancer and as a gymnast. I have observed bodies my entire life. I have trained all types of people. I have a world of information in here," she says, motioning to her forehead. "My method is a different way of training. It's not just moving up and down—lunging or squatting or lifting a weight overhead. You are moving from one side to the other, into a lean, into a lift, into a side bend. You are stimulating the muscles in and around your pelvis and core constantly. You are harnessing the power of that corset of muscles around your midsection." This is effective because the body works on a rough use-it-or-lose-it basis. When movements and muscles are underused, they can grow tight and stiff. Eastwood's aim is to include varied movements in each session, cutting this problem off at the source. Adding a flowing dance-like element introduces intensity to keep clients' hearts and lungs in good nick, while also topping up other facets of fitness such as balance and stability. Pair this with a nutritious diet—something she regularly stresses—and you have a recipe for success. "Everyone tells me, 'My God, I sweat in those sessions,'" Eastwood says. "You are keeping your arms raised in second position while your legs are working. You have to stay poised, upright and connected to your breath throughout. It's exhausting." This is not to say you should exclusively use Eastwood's method. She encourages clients to diversify their exercise plans—sprinkle in strength training, swimming, hiking, and any other active adventures that might tickle your fancy. Tucci enjoys supplementing his workouts with lifting weights in the gym. Eastwood's sessions are designed to support the activities they enjoy by laying strong foundations.
Try Anne Hathaway's Workout
The flow above is an introduction to Eastwood's method. It features all of her hallmarks, from multidirectional movement to ballet-inspired exercises and flowing sequences. To begin with, try to complete it without weights, then add light dumbbells (5kg or below) when you feel more comfortable with the movements. "Use a strong exhale as you bring the weight to the floor and overhead," Eastwood advises. "Try to keep a neutral spine as you move into each position, and try not to turn out your feet too much in the plie." More workouts and exercise plans from Monique Eastwood can be found on the Eastwood Fit app.
