Super-fit Lucy Hale reveals her diet and exercise habits

A friend who once met Lucy Hale had two things to say about her. One: she's really nice. Two: she's super, super fit. Apparently, girlfriend is toned as hell.

"Oh that's really nice to hear," Hale says, genuinely chuffed, when I tell her this down the phone to Los Angeles, where she's relaxing at home.

It's clear that exercise matters to Hale, the recent star of horror movie Truth or Dare (out on DVD on August 15). So much so that she works out every single day.

"I'm one of the weirdos in the world that genuinely likes working out, not from a physical perspective, more from a mental aspect," the 29-year-old explains.

"It's a daily part of what I do. I work with a trainer and that will be an hour-long session, or I'll do 45-minute spin classes or Pilates classes. It's not a crazy amount, just a little bit every day."

Somewhat unexpectedly, the 157-centimetre fitness fiend says the workout she finds most challenging is yoga.

"I don't dislike it, it's just hard for me to sit still," she explains. "There are some yoga classes where you're floating the whole time, but there's just a specific type of yoga, like Bikram, where you're just holding these poses, it's super challenging and hot and you have to be still, and that's difficult for me."

It's worth noting that Hale has a seemingly endless supply of enviable activewear that would inspire even the laziest soul to get up and go.

On weekends, Hale is a little more chill about her workouts, and will start her day with a hike before maybe taking her dog, Elvis, to the park.

The other major part of her rare days off? Brunch.

"I LOVE food," Hale says enthusiastically. "I'll try to eat pretty well throughout the week but I definitely appreciate food and I like to indulge, but everything in moderation."

Her go-to meal to start her day is a breakfast burrito or her "favourite" breakfast, avocado toast with a poached egg.

"We [Americans] stole that from you guys. It's very trendy here now," Hale says.

For an indulgent day, she opts for pancakes, but specifically her grandmother's pancakes: "I don't know what she does, but they're so good. I think it it's just a lot of butter."

Hale's other health secrets are simple: plenty of sleep and, failing that, coffee.

"For me, it's all about sleep. I have to get eight to 10 hours no matter what, especially when I'm working so much. And then it's just surviving on coffee ...lots and lots of coffee."

It's true—you rarely see a paparazzi snap of Hale without an iced latte in her hand.