Nina Dobrev on the 1 thing that changed her workout routine

Nina Dobrev has always led an active lifestyle, but the actor really got serious about her workout routine when the pandemic hit.

“I used a personal trainer and relied on a lot of outside sources for my fitness — especially because I used to be so busy traveling and working,” she previously told Shape. “But once I was home, I realized I didn’t have much (gym equipment) at home so I went into a mad dash.”

Over time, the star slowly accumulated equipment to fuel her home workouts.

“I’m really proud of my home gym, I use it a lot,” she said. “It’s really nice to have that flexibility of working out, whether it’s really early in the morning before I got to set, or really late a night when I get home from set, or after a long flight.”

On a similar note, the 35-year-old has also been conscious about revamping her diet in recent years.

“I’m getting older and more conscious of what I eat and how I eat it and what I do,” she previously told Women’s Health. “Doing something different (each day) has been the most fun, and I’ve seen the most benefit because you shock your system.” 

Dobrev’s hard work certainly seems to be paying off. Ready to learn from her balanced approach to health and wellness? Read on for some of her most relatable tips and tricks.

She likes working out with friends

When you’re heading to the gym by yourself, it’s easy to back out if you’re not feeling motivated. But when you’re meeting a group of pals, you tend to hold yourself accountable more often than not.

Dobrev told W Magazine, in 2017, that she has a text message chain with some girlfriends called “We Work Out.”

“Whoever wakes up first will put in the workout for the day and we’ll all either say yay or nay,” she said.

When she’s sweating it out with her besties, Dobrev finds herself more determined to give the workout her all.

“When you do it with your friends, it motivates you to have a little bit of healthy competition,” she told People. “You want to give up, but you look over and you see that your friend is still going, so you keep going even more and push through the burn.”

After all, “misery loves company,” as she told the publication.

“If you’re going to be sweating and working hard it is better to do it with your buddies by your side,” she said.

She loves Les Mills workouts

Dobrev is always down for trying new workouts to avoid a fitness plateau, and she’s a big fan of the fitness company Les Mills.

“I absolutely love Les Mills workouts because they have everything from yoga to HIIT to boxing — and I can do them online from wherever I am. The 30-minute Les Mills Grit class is super quick, but it will kick your a– — it’s definitely the most bang for your buck,” she told Refinery29.

She enjoys toning her core and butt

In 2017, Les Mills Coach Lissa Bankston opened up about her client’s go-to workouts, revealing Dobrev gravitates toward interval and circuit training “that mimics the moves that you might do in a HIIT workout.”

“I usually incorporate something I call ‘push, pull, rotate’ where we train the upper body, lower body and core with those three modalities. And Nina loves working her core and her butt — so there’s always a little finisher of core and butt work too!” she said during an interview with the fitness company’s website.

She live an active lifestyle, but doesn’t punish herself when she skips a workout

Dobrev is committed to her fitness routine, but she also gives herself a break when she needs one.

“Everyone has off days, and if someone says they don’t, then they’re probably lying. The key is to take it day by day. If you don’t feel like working out or eating healthy one morning, just take some time to yourself and hit the refresh button. Tomorrow is a new day,” she told Refinery29.

Penciling in a workout is always a struggle when you’re busy, but Dobrev does her best to carve out time to get her heart pumping frequently.

“It sounds simple, but I really just try to prioritize exercise. Everyone has stressful days — including me — but finding that 30 minutes every day to get your endorphins going is important. Even a short workout session gives me so much energy and provides me with the fuel that I need for the day ahead,” she said.

She decompresses with yoga

Working out for your physical and mental health can help ensure that you reap all the benefits of your fitness routine. Yoga is one way Dobrev sneaks in a mental break while simultaneously toning her body.

“I love to get in a yoga class when I can. It’s nice to just let go of everything, meditate and work on my breathing. And if I’m ever in a bad mood or having a tough day, I’ll put on some uplifting music — that really has the power to shift my energy,” she told Refinery29.

She enjoys the opportunity to unplug from technology while working out

Dobrev lives a busy lifestyle, but she purposely tries to unplug when it comes time to work out.

“We’re constantly connected to all these devices, so your workout is a time where you’re not reachable,” she told W Magazine. “You’re doing something for yourself, and it’s your you-time — or my me-time, in my case.”

Her dog ‘motivates’ her to work out

Even Dobrev has days where she isn’t pumped to work out, but her furry friend Maverick helps her keep her head in the game.

“Maverick comes to the gym with me every single day at the Reebok hub in L.A.,” she previously told People. “They even have dog beds and toys all around! She interrupts workouts and licks my face, but motivates me when I am ready to quit. Right now she is only 15 pounds, so I will lift her instead of the weights in my workouts!”

Having a dog is sort of a built-in excuse for Dobrev to stay active and take a breather from her hectic schedule.

“It’s obviously important exercise for her, too. It’s a great way to get out of the house and have a moment to decompress. I like to put on some music while I walk her, and it’s kind of like a meditation and a great bonding moment for us,” she told New Beauty.

She eats frequently to fend off hunger

When you’re really hungry, you’re more likely to make poor food choices. But when you eat more regularly, you can keep your body fueled throughout the day.

While talking with Women’s Health, Dobrev said she aims to eat every two hours whenever she can.

“I feel healthier,” she said. “You’re happier when your body is full, your brain functions better, and you’re a nicer person. I would get hangry, I think, because I was so busy running around that I wasn’t the best version of myself.”

She seeks ‘balance’ in her diet

What fun is life if you can’t chow down on your favorite foods once in a while?

“Again, it’s all about finding a balance — my go-to is seared salmon with roasted veggies, and I also love some truffle fries and a cheddar cheeseburger with lots and lots of ketchup,” Dobrev previously told Refinery29.

She slots in time for stretching, especially after running

Stretching is an important part of Dobrev’s fitness routine, especially when she’s running.

“My hips get really tight,” she previously told Self.

The star said she likes to warm up by stretching for three minutes or so before exercising and 15 minutes after finishing her workout.

While talking about her favorite stretch, pigeon pose, she described it as “great for maintenance and keeping everything loose.”

She fuels her body before and after a workout

Before she works up a sweat, Dobrev regularly noshes on her homemade protein balls, which she makes with a range of ingredients, including almond butter, coconut, bananas, collagen powder and bacon.

“There’s so many amazing, yummy things in these tiny little balls,” she said. “They’re insane,” she told W Magazine.

Post workout, the star often enjoys a homemade smoothie with similar ingredients.

“That’s the trick to nutrition for me, has been eating things that make me feel like I’m cheating,” she said, “But I’m not.”