At 58, Halle Berry continues to turn heads—not just on red carpets, but in the gym too. With a physique that rivals athletes half her age, the Oscar-winning actress attributes her chiseled core to dedication, smart nutrition, and a workout plan that’s anything but ordinary.
In her #FitnessFriday Instagram series, Berry teams up with her trainer Peter Lee Thomas to share the secrets behind her elite-level fitness. One of her recurring messages? A strong core is non-negotiable. “If you’re performing exercises correctly, you’re always engaging your core,” she wrote in one post. “Now that’s a win/win.”
So what exactly does Halle Berry do to get those enviable abs? Get ready for a serious burn—these are the eight killer core exercises that power her workouts and help her maintain peak strength.
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1. Bear Crawls With a Bench
This move is a full-body challenge that emphasizes coordination and control.
Start on all fours, knees hovering just above the ground. Facing a bench, place one hand at a time onto the bench, then return to your starting position. Each full sequence counts as one rep.
Why it works: It builds stability through the shoulders and core while reinforcing functional movement patterns. The hovering knees engage deep abdominal muscles.
2. Side-to-Side Bench Jumps
Place both hands on a bench for stability, then jump both feet side to side over it. Think of it as a cardio-infused core workout.
Pro tip: Keep your knees bent and core tight throughout to absorb impact and protect your back.
Burn factor: This high-intensity move fires up the obliques, boosts your heart rate, and torches calories fast.
3. Reverse Bear Crawls With Elevated Knees
Start facing away from the bench in a bear crawl stance. Lift one foot at a time onto the bench while keeping knees off the ground.
What it targets: This variation trains posterior-chain engagement while still activating your core. It’s deceptively difficult and great for improving balance.
4. Hanging Oblique Twist
Halle’s hanging series is not for the faint of heart. With arms in slings on a pull-up bar, raise your knees and twist—knee toward opposite elbow—before switching sides.
Why it’s next-level: Hanging ab moves eliminate floor support, forcing your core to do all the work. The twist adds oblique emphasis.
Modification tip: If you’re not ready for the full move, start with small controlled twists and fewer reps.
5. Hanging Leg Lifts
While gripping a pull-up bar, raise both legs straight out in front of you until they’re parallel to the floor. Hold briefly before lowering.
Key benefits:
- Builds lower abdominal strength
- Enhances hip flexor stability
- Improves grip and shoulder endurance
Pro insight: “Form matters here,” says Thomas. “Don’t swing. Use slow, controlled movements for real results.”
6. Hanging Knees to Chest
This move mimics leg lifts but is slightly more accessible. Pull knees toward your chest, hold, then lower slowly.
Why beginners love it: It offers many of the same benefits as leg lifts with a shorter range of motion, making it a great core-builder if you’re not quite at the advanced level yet.
7. Hanging Bicycle Crunches
Take the classic floor bicycle crunch into the air. Hang from a bar and alternate driving knees toward your chest in a pedaling motion.
Bonus challenge: Try to keep your rhythm steady without swinging. This is a real-time endurance test for your core and grip.
Berry’s tip: “Do them as fast as you can to really fire up your core.”
8. Hanging Windshield Wipers
This advanced move is as brutal as it is effective. Hang from a pull-up bar, lift your legs to a 90-degree angle or higher, then sweep them side to side like a set of windshield wipers.
Why it’s elite: You need strong hip flexors, serious abdominal strength, and full-body control.
Best for: Advanced exercisers looking to challenge rotational stability and build definition in the entire midsection.
More Than Just Aesthetic Abs
Berry’s core routine is as much about function as it is about looks. She trains like a fighter—literally. For her role in Bruised, where she played an MMA fighter and also directed the film, Berry took her training up several notches.
“She trains four hours a day, she’s intermittent fasting, she’s keto,” said her performance coach Mubarak Malik. “She does it every single day. I’m honored and she inspires me, so I’m sure she’ll inspire you as well.”
That level of commitment paid off. In one post, Berry celebrated a major fitness milestone: “One of my goals for #BruisedTheMovie? Ripped Abs – and today? I finally got them, and it feels unbelievable!”
How She Fuels Her Results
Berry follows a keto diet and practices intermittent fasting. Her meals focus on healthy fats, moderate protein, and very low carbs.
The combination of consistent training, a clean diet, and disciplined fasting keeps her energy high and her physique lean.
Extra benefits she’s shared from her workouts:
- Boosted heart health
- Improved memory and mental clarity
- Better circulation
- Enhanced sexual wellness
“My personal favorite,” she wrote, “So ladies…get to running, get to jumping…let’s go!”
Final Thoughts
Halle Berry’s core routine isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a functional fitness regimen that supports movement, balance, and real-world strength. Her training showcases what’s possible with dedication, smart nutrition, and an unshakeable mindset.
Whether you’re looking to sculpt your midsection or simply add a few new moves to your routine, her go-to exercises offer something for everyone.
Start slow. Master the basics. And remember: Strong abs support every move you make.
