These Workouts Are a Staple in Elizabeth Banks’s Morning Routine

Elizabeth Banks has been a longtime powerhouse in Hollywood, known for her versatility as an actor, director, and producer in films like Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games, Charlie’s Angels, and Cocaine Bear. She’s also the co-owner of the canned wine brand, Archer Roose.

But now she’s stepping into a new arena—quite literally. In recent weeks, Banks announced she’s joining forces with fellow Massachusetts native and Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman as an investor in the National Women’s Soccer League’s newest expansion team, BOS Nation FC, set to debut in the 2026 season.

When the league began seeking investors for their new team, it felt like the perfect fit, she told People. “Women’s sports are peaking, and we’re seeing so many people get involved,” she shared on CBS Mornings when announcing the new venture. “I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to be part of this female-fronted team in Massachusetts.”

While the busy mom of two boys, ages 12 and 13, admits not all mornings are the same, we recently caught up with her to find out how a typical morning goes and what keeps her grounded through her back-to-back schedule.

She starts her day at 6:30 a.m., thanks to the school system

My morning is pretty regimented by the school system—they make my morning routine. I cannot have my kids miss the bus because then my morning is ruined, so it’s a mad dash to the bus.

My children’s alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m., and I can often hear them. Mine goes off at 6:35 a.m. so that by then I for sure know they’re up. Then I go in and check on them and remind them to brush their teeth. Once the kids are taken care of, I always start by brushing my teeth and then the next thing is a big glass of water. I’m really good about drinking water first thing in the morning.

After that, it’s time for my dog, Saucer. He’s the first to be like, “When are we eating?” So I walk him into the kitchen, feed him, and turn my coffee machine on.

Once the kids and dog are taken care of, it’s time for coffee

I have a Nespresso machine and usually do a double shot of espresso with warmed oat milk in the frother. I also put a little bit of honey in the bottom of my cup and then pour my espresso over it. My coffee order is negotiable—in the summer, for instance, I have iced Americanos, but I always drink some kind of coffee.

Then, she oversees her kids in the kitchen for breakfast

I’m really trying to make my kids make their own breakfast. I’m an overseer in the morning now. I ask them, “What are you going to have for breakfast?” and they’ll say, “Can I have this?” and I’ll say, “You sure can, how do you do it? You can make it.”

They like avocado toast, so I might eat some bites of avocado, but I don’t wake up hungry in the mornings. I also try to get fresh fruit into them and would love them to have protein if possible, but you know, our breakfast industry is not protein-based. It’s lots of bread and bagels. They also love Life Cereal, which I don’t mind because at least they’re having whole milk.

• Life Cereal ($4)

Monday and Thursday drop-offs are her favorite

After breakfast, we get in the car and go to school. On Mondays and Thursdays, we listen to Ryan’s Roses on Ryan Seacrest’s morning show. My first kid’s drop off is 7 a.m. and my second kid is at 7:45 a.m.

I keep comfortable on the drives. I wear my black Ugg slippers right into the car and drive my kids to school. I also like a zip-up Vuori fleece and joggers for cool mornings here in California.

• Ugg Tasman Slipper ($110)
• Vuori Highlands Sherpa Jacket ($198)
• Vuori Performance Jogger ($94)

Once the kids are at school, it’s time for a morning workout

When I get back from school drop-off, I either walk the dog or work out. My husband and I train with a trainer three days a week over Zoom. Joselynne Boschen has been my trainer for 15 years and she moved to Atlanta, so now we train over Zoom. We cross-train—we like TRX, and we do a lot of Pilates-based stuff from my home gym.

She loves to listen to podcasts and audiobooks while walking the dog

When I walk the dog, I often listen to podcasts. I usually listen to The Daily or Smartless, and I’m also a big fan of Unlocking Us With Brené Brown. Recently, I’ve also been listening to Barbra Streisand’s book, My Name Is Barbra, on tape, which I highly recommend. She’s pure gold, she’s everything to me. Truly, it’s amazing.

• My Name Is Barbra ($18 for hardcover; $19 for Kindle; $1 for audiobook with Prime membership)

Then it’s time to for her skincare routine to get ready for the day

I don’t want to dry my skin out with a double wash or anything like that, so I only do my skincare routine after my workout and shower. I may splash some water and get a little gunk out of my eyeballs before that, but I’m not doing a full face until I’m ready to attack the day. I use No7 in the morning. I love their Vitamin C Serum because it doesn’t have a very strong smell, but it gives me the feeling that I’ve woken my face up a little bit.

• No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum ($18)
• Editor’s note: Banks is a current ambassador for No7

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.