Margot Robbie has long been admired for her acting range, but during the recent promotional tour for Wuthering Heights, she has also drawn attention for her confident red-carpet presence and notably strong, athletic physique.
The Oscar-nominated actress, 35, stepped out in a series of dramatic, Georgian-inspired looks while promoting the film, showcasing a toned figure that reflects months of focused training and consistency.
What makes the transformation even more striking is that it comes just over a year after she welcomed her first child with husband Tom Ackerley in October 2024.
Now, Robbie’s long-time personal trainer David Higgins has shared insight into what it really takes to achieve the kind of strength-based physique the actress is known for—offering a realistic look at the discipline, structure, and mindset behind her fitness routine.
According to Higgins, Robbie’s training is built around a balanced combination of strength work and reformer Pilates, a method she has favoured for years.
As reported by Women’s Health, her sessions typically begin with a short warm-up using a foam roller to prepare the muscles and reduce injury risk.
From there, Robbie moves into controlled strength exercises performed with moderate weights and high focus on form.
These often include chest presses, bent-over rows, bicep curls, shoulder presses, and tricep-focused movements such as skull crushers.
Rather than chasing heavy loads, the emphasis is on functional strength and muscle endurance.
Pilates, particularly on the reformer machine, plays an equally important role.
Robbie has previously explained in an interview with The Telegraph that reformer Pilates suits her body best, helping her stay strong, flexible, and injury-free while still delivering visible muscle tone.
Higgins prefers to work with time-based intervals on the reformer rather than counting repetitions, with the actress typically spending around two minutes on each movement.
Which style of training she chooses on a given day often depends on how her body feels—a key detail that highlights a sustainable, athlete-style approach rather than an extreme regimen.
One surprising element of Robbie’s routine is her avoidance of traditional cardio.
Higgins explains that full-body strength workouts can act as a form of “hidden cardio,” as the heart works harder to pump blood between different muscle groups throughout the session.
This method allows Robbie to maintain cardiovascular fitness while prioritising muscle tone and strength, aligning with her long-standing goal of being strong rather than simply slim.
Core training is a consistent feature of Robbie’s workouts. One of her regular challenges includes high-rep abdominal circuits made up of crunches, toe taps, and Pilates-inspired movements.
Higgins has revealed that she may complete these circuits multiple times in a single session, totalling hundreds of controlled repetitions.
Her core strength is not just for aesthetics either. Robbie is reportedly able to hold a plank for over four minutes—an achievement that reflects endurance, discipline, and years of progressive training.
While Robbie’s workouts are structured, they are also realistic. Higgins and the actress have worked together on and off for years, including an intensive 12- to 15-week schedule during the filming of Barbie.
During peak training periods, they would typically train five days a week for 45 to 60 minutes per session.
The key, Higgins stresses, is consistency rather than extremes. Robbie fits workouts into her schedule whenever possible, even during demanding filming and promotional commitments.
Robbie has also been refreshingly honest about her relationship with food.
In previous interviews, she has admitted she dislikes strict moderation and prefers to eat freely most of the time, only switching to a cleaner diet in the lead-up to major roles or events.
Her “clean” phases usually involve simple, nutrient-dense meals such as porridge with berries, smoothies packed with greens, lean proteins like chicken or fish, and complex carbohydrates.
During these periods, she avoids fast food, sugary drinks, and heavily processed snacks, while still allowing herself occasional indulgences when not preparing for a role.
Importantly, Robbie has repeatedly stated that her goal has never been to be skinny.
Speaking ahead of The Legend of Tarzan, she explained that she wanted to feel strong and authentic rather than conforming to unrealistic body standards—a philosophy that continues to guide her fitness journey today.