Ex-Brookside star Anna Friel has said that her toned, slim figure is down to daily sessions of Pilates.

Earlier this week, the actress was pictured in a variety of flexible poses during a Pilates class in Los Angeles, where she is now based with her partner, actor David Thewliss.

Clad in comfortable pink leggings and a pair of toeless purple socks, she used a variety of Pilates tools during her workout.
Following the birth of the couple’s daughter, Gracie, in 2005, she credited Pilates classes for helping her regain her figure and losing her baby weight.

She commented: “I’m toned because I have a trainer. I go running and I do Pilates every day.”

Hollywood has gained some notoriety for its extreme views on body image, but Anna, 34, has distanced herself from it. Stating that she did not understand why a curvy figure was frowned upon in the industry, she said:

“The obsession with weight today is just incredible.

“For me, I think if you’re disciplined enough to stop eating when you’re not hungry, then you can maintain a balance.”

Anna is only one of a number of celebrities who attribute their slim figure to Pilates.

Other devotees include Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kelly Osbourne, who all put their toned torsos down to regular Pilates classes.

Diaz, 37, explained:

“For Charlie’s Angels, we worked out five days a week for three months, and I learned what it felt like to be strong.”

Pilates is not solely for actors; everybody can see results from it. If you want to know more, there are lots of Pilates classes in Rochdale, Burnley, Preston and other cities, towns and areas like Chorley and Clitheroe.