Get Fit to Fight with the Bennet Sisters’ Bodyweight Workout!

Get your squad into fighting form with inspiration from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ stars! The Bennet sisters trained hard to take down zombies quickly and carefully – now you can use their methods to prep yourself for whatever threats Austen-Era England could throw at you. One thing each of these characters had in common (besides facing a horde of zombies)? None of them had a gym membership. These exercises can all be performed in your own drawing room with either no equipment or optional weight for added resistance.

Jane Bennet’s Jump Squats

Being a renowned local beauty is one thing, being the eldest sister and a role model for a pack of highly trained fighters is another. Master the jump squat and you can handle anything a zombie-filled ballroom could throw at you. From a comfortable standing position, jump into the air as high as you can, bringing your knees up. Ideally, you will appear to be squatting in mid-air. Here’s the trickiest part: when you land bend your knees, and try to land as softly and quietly as possible. You don’t need to go alerting monsters to your presence – and ladies like Jane always travel with a light footfall.

Lizzy Bennet’s Burpees

Hardcore like our heroine, burpees are perfect for the leading lady who loves her fair share of “very beneficial exercise.” There are plenty of variations to choose from but start out with the simplest burpee possible. Lay down fully flat with your chest on the floor, and then push up with your arms and stand up right as quickly as possible. As these become easier, continue in the improvement of your burpees by extensive reading… of more challenging forms! Try adding a jump as you get up, clapping your hands overhead when you stand, or doing a pushup on the floor instead of lying down.

Mary Bennet’s Mountain Climbers

Starting from a high plank position (both palms pressing the floor and arms fully extended) while balanced on your toes. Alternating left and right, bring your knees forward and up to your chest as quickly as you can. A bonus for Mary and fighters like her – you can do these while reading an opened copy of Fordyce's Sermons, should you find a certain passage you cannot make out at all.

Kitty Bennet’s Kettlebell Squat

Stand with feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Folding at the hip, let your derriere drop as close to the ground as possible while keeping both feet flat. If the exercise gets easy, hold a weight like a kettlebell or the depressing feeling that you’ll always be outshone by your younger sister against the upper part of your chest while you squat.

Lydia Bennet’s Lunges

Feel like reaching beyond the rules of decorum? On the run from a ravening horde? Start with lunges! With hips squared forward, take one large step forward and plant your foot firmly. Keeping your torso squared to the front, put more weight on your front foot and move your torso forward. Careful though, don’t push so far that your front knee extends too far forward; keep your knee directly above your ankle and you won’t wind up exposing the Bennet family to ridicule.

Now that you know these exercises, mix and match them to create a specialized workout for you and your zombie-fighting friends! Here are some ideas to get you started.

Pentagram of Death:

Named for a signature move from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, this circuit includes all 5 exercises in succession.

Walking to Meryton:

All five sisters walk out together, so do 5 reps of each exercise 3 times. Too easy? Increase the number of reps and/or the number of rounds!

Fit to See Jane:

Same as Walking to Meryton, but in the mud.

3 of the Silliest Girls in the Country:

Mary, Kitty, and Lydia earn this distinction from their father, so this circuit is just Mountain Climbers, Kettlebell Squats, and Lunges. Start with 5 reps of each exercise 3 times, increase as needed.

Famous Local Beauty:

Jane and Lizzie are both known for their fine countenance, so for this circuit you’ll be doing Jump Squats and Burpees. This one is intense, just like these sisters! Start with 5 reps of each exercise 3 times, increase as needed.

Accomplished ladies never forego #LegDay.

Get creative, stay healthy, and have fun!

*As always, consult your doctor before you start a new exercise routine. Also, read the book and see the movie so you get all these jokes 🙂