How Jennifer Aniston maintains her abs at 56 with smart strength work

Jennifer Aniston’s sculpted abs at 56 aren’t the result of marathon crunch sessions. Instead, the actress credits a functional, full-body approach, one that prioritises strength, stability and longevity over isolated core work.

A devoted fan of the low-impact fitness method Pvolve for the past five years, Aniston trains under Dani Coleman, the brand’s VP of Training. And according to Coleman, the key to Aniston’s core routine is surprisingly simple: they never “train abs in isolation.”

“Most people think that training the core means a million crunches,” Coleman explained. 

While traditional moves like crunches do feature occasionally, the foundation of Aniston’s workouts centres on dynamic, multi-joint exercises, such as squats, hinges, planks, single-leg stability drills, and rotational movements.

The philosophy is clear: engage the core from start to finish, rather than tacking on a short ab finisher at the end. 

By combining resistance training with mobility and stability work such as woodchops, single-leg deadlifts, and controlled plank variations, Aniston builds what Coleman describes as “deep core strength,” not just the surface-level abdominal muscles associated with aesthetics.

The benefits extend well beyond appearance. Functional core training improves posture, supports the lower back, and enhances overall movement quality. For women in midlife and beyond, that strength is especially crucial. 

Research shows core stability plays a key role in balance and fall prevention as we age. Separate studies in postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 have also found that targeted core work can reduce lower back pain and improve muscular strength and overall quality of life, sometimes more effectively than standard physical therapy alone.

For Aniston, consistency, not intensity, delivers results. Coleman reveals the actress trains three to four times per week for 40 to 60 minutes, adjusting sessions based on how her body feels. The focus, she said, is “longevity, strength, and moving well.”Visible abs, it seems, are simply a byproduct.

When asked what has made the biggest difference to her body, Aniston points to patience and sustainability over quick fixes. 

“I’ve built real strength in my arms and core, improved my mobility, and feel more stable and capable in my everyday life,” she said, “It’s not about quick fixes — it’s about seeing and feeling progress that lasts.”