Last updated on April 9th, 2022 at 05:00 pm

Kerry Washington is a force to be reckoned with.

Which is why I’m so happy to finally be getting our Kerry Washington Workout and Diet Plan here on the site.

We’re slowly approaching the 1,000 workout and diet mark inside our Workout Database among celebrities and character inspired workouts, and I am truly surprised it took us this long to get Washington on the site.

Washington has starred in roles like Scandal, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, Save The Last Dance, The Last King of Scotland, and even smaller fun roles like Princess Shuri in a Black Panther animated mini-series, Alicia Masters in Fantastic 4: Rise of The Silver Surfer, and Cars 3!

Kerry Washington Stats:

Height: 5’4

Weight: (approximate) 115 lbs.

Age: 43 years old

Kerry Washington just makes it to the average height range among women we’ve seen at SHJ.

An inch shorter and she’d be considered in the shortest height range.

Normally the average height we see for women is around 5’4-5’6 with ladies such as Jennifer Aniston, Margot Robbie, Olivia Munn, Alicia Vikander, Sophia Bush, Tatiana Maslany, Evangeline Lilly, and a ton of others.

But then there is also that taller range, and among the tallest (even taller than the 5’7-5’8), are ladies like Gwendoline Christie, Gal Gadot, and a few others – with Phoebe Tonkin, Gabrielle Union, Brie Larson, Nina Dobrev, Daisy Ridley, and so many more coming in around that 5’7-5’8 range.

And, let’s not forget the shorter ladies of SHJ like Ariana Grande, Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Emilia Clarke, Lucy Hale, Julianne Hough and a good handful of others.

But, either way, don’t worry.

I write these routines for anyone and everyone.

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Kerry Washington Diet and Nutrition

Kerry Washington is a yogi and also all about her vegan food.

Her personal trainer Nonna Gleyzer did a couple interviews with sources like Prevention, Shape and Elle Magazine that will help us break down a lot more about Washington’s nutrition and training style.

In her interview with Shape Gleyzer says this about Washington’s diet:

SHAPE: Do you also recommend a specific diet plan for Kerry?

NG: Kerry has always been an extremely healthy eater, so that comes completely natural to her. She eats a lot of vegan products, with little clean meals throughout the day. I know she also loves coconut water, which gives her potassium and important electrolytes. She focuses on lean proteins and veggies. With the long hours she works, there’s really no room for her to play around. She needs to be in the best shape every single day, and she definitely is.

Washington also told Elle a bit about her smoothies and alcohol consumption as well.

She says:

I do juices and Kim Snyder’s smoothies, but I try to keep it consistent year round.

Continuing on with drinking, by stating:

How to stay sober on the set of Scandal:

It’s always grape juice [in the wine class]. I would never be able to remember the two page monologues otherwise. I’m also not a drinker. I love a drink occasionally, but I wouldn’t be able to handle it. You see one sip, but I have to drink three cups to get the scene done. I tend to be a ‘when in Rome drinker.’ I don’t have something that I’m passionate about on my own. When I’m traveling, I drink what they have there or I’ll get a special cocktail.

This is in reference to all the wine and drinking you see on the show, but also gives us some good insight into Washington’s own habits.

So overall Washington’s diet is extremely clean and she uses what she has learned specifically works for her.

We see a lot of celebs opt for a sustainable approach like this.

That’s why our Academy Nutrition Classes (Monks, Minimalists, SuperHumans, Vikings, Spartans, Hunter Gatherers, Greek Gods, Samurais) revolve around helping you find the specific diet that is right FOR YOU.

Of course, there are a lot of reasons to HAVE the strict guidelines.

We’ve seen a lot of celebs opt for specific restrictions. 

For example: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart incorporate 80/20 dieting with big weekly cheat meals, Hugh Jackman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Terry Crews utilize intermittent fasting(something I use daily as well), Mustafa Shakir and Madelaine Petsch are vegans, Brandon Routh and Frank Grillo opt for paleo, and tons of others utilize their own variations as well.

And, that’s just to name a few celebs from each, by the way.

You can check out our Nutrition Pillars for more information and articles on all of the above and more.

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Kerry Washington Workout Routine Research

As I mentioned above: Washington is a yogi.

She’s also a huge fan of Pilates and other training that we see popular among women.

It’s actually a huge portion of my book Superhuman Secrets.

Jumping back to the interview with Shape and Washington’s trainer, Gleyzer, we can learn a lot about their methods outside Washington’s yoga.

Here’s a big portion of what Gleyzer says:

SHAPE: First off, can you tell us a little bit about your training philosophy?

Nonna Gleyzer (NG): My method is gentle on the body yet very effective. It gets the body toned and strong. I push my clients hard but smart. I always tell my clients to listen to their body; you are your best doctor. If the move or exercise doesn’t feel right, stop doing it because it means it’s not right for your body! If that’s the case, then do another move that works the same group of muscles. Every workout with me works the entire body, as I never focus on just one muscle group. I work your body from head to toe, which is why so many of my clients are attracted to Pilates training. I tailor workouts for each one of my clients, and I also specialize in preventative injury and rehabilitation. I believe in being kind to your body and kind to your joints so you not only look good, you feel good too.

She mentions that many of her clients are attracted to Pilates training, and Washington is one of them.

Shape and Gleyzer continue:

SHAPE: Kerry Washington looks more than good-she looks amazing! What have you been doing with her?

NG: Kerry has been my client for six years, and she is just so dedicated, devoted, hard working, and focused on her workouts. She does Pilates as much as she can, usually three to four times a week for 60 minutes per session. She initially wanted to try Pilates because this type of training won’t put pressure on her joints, as she’s pinched a nerve in her neck and shoulder area while working with another trainer. My method is gentler on the body but also keeps it toned and strong. We do a lot of work on her calves and Achilles tendon, which helps strengthen that area so you can walk longer and less painfully in heels. With all the running she does on Scandal, that’s been so important!

From this piece we learn that Washington usually trains three to four times a week, about 60 minutes per session!

Gleyzer and Shape finish up the section about her training with:

SHAPE: Can you describe what a session would typically look like?

NG: I usually start with the lower body and work on quads, inner thighs, glutes, and of course the Achilles tendons to prevent injury. Then I focus on abs muscles, but only lower abs. It’s really important to focus on lower abs because they support your sacrum. When your sacrum is in place, your hips are nice and stable. And when your hips are aligned and your pelvis is strong, you won’t put any pressure on your knees or ankles. In addition to avoiding injury, you will stand up so straight and tall, so lean and beautiful. With stronger lower abs, you aren’t compensating with your neck. Whenever you see my celebs on the red carpet-just like Kerry-they walk so gracefully, their shoulders are back… that’s what makes a sexy walk, and that’s what my training does. After the lower abs work, we’ll focus on upper arms, working the deltoids and triceps and only a little bit of biceps. We always finish with a back workout, as well as obliques for a beautiful waistline. I like women to look like natural women; they look sexy and slim but not necessarily like they pump iron at the gym. They are hard working yet elegant figures. That’s what Kerry is to me-hard working yet elegant, gentle and feminine yet so very strong. A total woman!

Washington confirms a lot of this in her interview with Shape, stating:

I’m a big Pilates girl and I love to hike. I have a teacher named Julie Turner in LA and I’ve worked with her for years and she worked with me on Django. She works out with other girls on Scandal.

It’s safe to say this routine is going to be built around Pilates, yoga, hiking and being active!

Are you ready for it?

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Kerry Washington Workout Routine

Training Volume:

3-4 days per week

Explanation:

We’re going to be utilizing Pilates, yoga and activities like hiking and getting outdoors to get into Washington-like shape!

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Kerry Washington Workout: Sample Workout Routine Schedule

Monday: Pilates Training

Tuesday: Yoga and/or Hiking or Active Rest

Wednesday: Pilates Training

Thursday: Yoga and/or Hiking or Active Rest

Friday: Pilates Training

Saturday: Pilates, Yoga and/or Hiking or Active Rest

Sunday: Rest Day

Kerry Washington Workout: Shape Shared 15-Minute Pilates Workout

**This workout is shared by Shape.com and Washington’s trainer Nonna Gleyzer.**

This Pilates workout from celebrity trainer Nonna Gleyzer works your entire body but pays extra attention to the lower abs. The low-impact toning moves work your muscles to exhaustion without risk of injury, so you’ll always feel as good as you look!

How it works: Do 1 set of each exercise in order, with little to no rest between moves. For best results, do this workout up to four days per week, alternating it with 45 minutes of cardio on a treadmill or elliptical machine.

Total Time: up to 15 minutes

You will need: Foam roller, Resistance band, Towel

Up-and-Down Shoulder Toner

A. Stand in a split stance with left foot on center of a resistance band, right foot behind body. Bend both knees slightly. Place wrists inside handles of band with palms facing down and hands to your sides. Keep the handle of band slightly higher than edge of wrists for best support. Pull stomach in and keep shoulders down during the entire movement.

B. Lift arms out to sides of shoulders and inhale. Bring arms back down to the starting position while you exhale. That’s one rep. Complete all reps on one leg. Repeat on the other side.

Sets: 2

Reps: 10

Shoulder-Sculpting Circles

A. Keep wrists inside handles of resistance band with palms facing down, bring arms in front of body to shoulder height.

B. Bring arms out to each side with fingertips reaching toward opposite walls. Lower arms, moving in a circular motion. That’s one rep. Repeat movement in opposite direction to complete one rep. Do all reps with left leg forward, then repeat on the other side.

Sets: 2

Reps: 10

Double Leg Extension

A. Lie faceup with a foam roller under lower back and towel under neck for support. Brace core in tight and place hands on each side of roller.

B. Keeping core tight, lift knees to chest.

C. Straighten knees and extend feet diagonally, hold for 1 beat and then return to chest. That’s one rep.

Sets: 1

Reps: 10

Double Leg Stretch

A. Lie faceup with lower back on a foam roller, knees bent in toward chest, and hands on each side of the roller.

B. Straighten legs and stretch feet straight up to the ceiling, keeping toes pointed. Hold for 1 beat and then slowly return to the starting position. That’s one rep.

Sets: 1

Reps: 10

Hamstrings Warm-Up

A. Lie faceup with lower back on foam roller, hands on each side. Raise legs straight up to ceiling with toes pointed and core tight.

B. Keeping legs straight up, flex toes. Hold for 1 beat, then point again. That’s one rep.

Sets: 1

Reps: 10

Big Walking

A. Start with lower back on foam roller, hands on each side, legs straight up to ceiling with toes pointed and core tight.

B. Scissor legs, right leg toward top of head, left leg toward the floor, keeping core tight.

C. Switch legs, keeping toes pointed and core tight. That’s one rep.

Sets: 1

Reps: 10

Shoulder Bridge

A. Lie faceup with knees bent, feet flat. Raise hips to a low bridge, core tight.

B. Without letting hips drop, extend right foot with toes pointed.

C. Without letting hips drop, extend leg further toward the ceiling, keeping toes pointed and core tight. Hold for 1 beat.

D. Flex foot and return to the starting position. That’s one rep.

Sets: 2

Reps: 10

Booty Boosters

A. Lie faceup with knees bent, feet flat. Raise hips to a low bridge, core tight.

B. Squeezing glutes and tightening core, raise heels up and hold for 3 beats.

C. Lower heels and lift toes up. Hold for 3 beats. That’s one rep.

Sets: 1

Reps: 10

Kerry Washington Workout: Hiking, Yoga and Active Rest Day

We also know that Washington utilizes yoga and loves to go hiking.

On your yoga and/or hiking days it’s your decision which you’re going to take advantage of. 

You can use a YouTube video, some of the videos/tutorials inside The Academy, or even go to an in-person class!

Kerry Washington Workout: Pilates Style Alternative from Dakota Johnson’s Workout

The workout without repeating circuits is roughly 25 minutes.

Warm up – 2 minutes easy row

Cardio 1

Rowing intervals. 5 minutes. Use resistance of at least 80 per cent (moderate). Increase intensity by pushing and pulling harder. Don’t worry too much about the speed and keep form. OR running intervals. 30 seconds sprint. 30 seconds rest. Repeat 5 times

OR

Without equipment, dancing in place or do intervals going up and down the stairs in your home for 5 minutes. Or jumprope for 3 minutes (because it is harder).

Circuit 1 – back and shoulders 

Using light weights of 3-5 pounds

• Reverse fly – 10 reps with right leg forward and 10 reps with left leg forward.

Start by take a giant step forward with one leg and hinge forward at the hips holding dumbbells. Arms hang below your chest, head looks slightly down and in front of forward leg. Continue to hinge forward at the waist as you fift arms to almost parallel by squeezing shoulder blades together, pause at the top then lower slowly.

• Half circle over head – 8 reps

Begin by standing tall arms by side holding dumbells palms forward. Raise arms in half circle to touch at the top, slowly lower back to start.

• Hug a tree – 8 reps

Begin standing tall arms by side holding dumbells palms forward. Raise arms half way parallel to shoulders then, as if hugging a tree, move arms slightly rounded and forward infront of chest to touch knuckles. Pause and return by oening arms back to parallel and lower.

• Lateral Raises – 8 reps

Begin standing tall, with arms by your sides holding dumbbells, palms facing toward thighs. Raise your arms to the sides as you simultaneously rotate the heads of the dumbbells to face the ground. Imagine holding a jug of water and pouring out the water as you raise arms.

Pause at the top, then lower slowly.

• Wall Flatteners – 20 reps

Stand with your back against a wall, knees slightly bent, arms at 90 degrees against the wall.

Keep wrists and elbows against the wall and raise them six inches straight up, then lower to start.

Repeat circuit 2-3 times.

Cardio 2

Rowing or running intervals.

Circuit 2 – abs and triceps 

Using light weights of 3-5  pounds

• Lying Leg and Triceps Extension – 20 reps

Lie on your back with your knees in tabletop, abs contracted, belly button pulled in. Hold your dumbbells in your hands with palms facing each other, elbows bent (make sure to not move your arms as you do this move). On an exhale, extend your legs on an angle (keep them higher if your back is weak, or reach your legs lower to the ground if you have stronger abs). Simultaneously perform a triceps extension by raising the dumbbells up toward the ceiling. Inhale, and lower arms back to start as you release legs back to tabletop.

• Oblique rotation – 10 reps

Begin sitting with your legs extended with a slight knee bend, holding dumbbells in each hand and arms extended forward. Lean back, keeping your abs contracted, and avoid a rounded back. Leading with your right arm, rotate to the right as far as you can, then back to center. Rotate to the left as far as you can, then back to center. Complete the move by sitting up tall, simultaneously raising both arms above the head.

• Walking Plank – 20 reps

Begin at the top of push-up, and lower onto your right forearm. Then, lower onto your left forearm. Here you’ll be in elbow plank position. Push up onto your right palm, then push up onto your left palm, ending up in high plank (top of a push-up). Repeat right-left-right-left for 10 reps, then try left-right-left-right for 10 more walking planks.

Repeat circuit 2-3 times 

Cardio 3

Rowing or running intervals

Circuit 3 – core

• Side plank rotation with hip lift – 10 reps on each side.

Begin in a side plank, holding a dumbbell in your top hand, arm extended upward. Rotate toward the mat as you lower your arm, and reach it beneath your body while lifting your hips as high as you can.

Repeat once more.

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