Watch Reese Witherspoon Nail a Seriously Impressive Backflip in This Throwback Video

From Prevention

  • Reese Witherspoon posted a throwback video of her training for Water For Elephants on Instagram.

  • In the video, the actress perfectly lands a backflip while practicing stunts for the circus-themed movie.

  • Witherspoon spent five months training for Water For Elephants.


Reese Witherspoon really can do it all. The actress, producer, and entrepreneur just shared a throwback video to Instagram of her performing a handful of stunts for the 2011 film Water For Elephants, and it’s seriously impressive.

In the video from 2010, she perfectly nails a backflip, while only being lightly assisted by an instructor. Once she sticks the landing, she immediately celebrates with a laugh and pose. The rest of the video included other ways she prepared for her role as Marlena, which included plenty of acrobatics and gymnastics exercises.

Witherspoon opened up about the experience of training for the film in the caption. “I got to work with some extremely talented circus trainers for my role as Marlena. Preparing for this film with @aloysiagavre and all the trainers at @cirqueschool was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she wrote. “Learning all of those flips took five months of daily practice, practice, and MORE PRACTICE.”

Witherspoon also admitted that she had no idea how hard it would be to pull off those moves. “But, I threw myself into training with every bit of determination I had. I definitely fell down, A LOT ??. I loved the challenge,” she continued. “The stunt work really pushed me farther than I had ever gone as an actor. I loved all of it.”

Fellow celebrities gave her major kudos in the comments. “This is dedication and you are marvelous to watch. Bravo my lady wow,” wrote Drew Barrymore. “Oh wow such amazing work ??????,” Julianne Moore added.

And fans echoed their responses. “You nailed it, girl! This movie is so special. Your work is insane! ??,” one person wrote. “Is there ANYTHING you can’t do?! I’m impressed,” said another.

To keep her body in tip-top shape, Witherspoon stays active with running, HIIT, yoga, indoor cycling, and Body by Simone. I guess she can add gymnastics to the mix. Go Reese!


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