Margot Robbie may have played the quintessential Barbie on screen, but behind the scenes, she proved she’s also a fitness powerhouse.
During the filming of Barbie, Robbie quietly crushed a plank challenge among the cast—holding a rock-solid plank for an impressive 4 minutes and 10 seconds.
Even Ryan Gosling’s “Ken-ergy” couldn’t top that, clocking in at just over 3 minutes.
This fun behind-the-scenes moment, recently shared by celebrity trainer David Higgins, has more to say than just celebrity bragging rights.
It reveals the strength-building strategy behind those sculpted abs, why core training isn’t about vanity, and how the Barbie cast found motivation through camaraderie rather than competition.
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Robbie’s Core Strength Was No Accident
David Higgins, the trainer behind Robbie’s plank success, has worked with her since The Legend of Tarzan in 2015. Known for transforming actors like Kumail Nanjiani into shredded superheroes, Higgins took a different approach on Barbie. The goal? Feel-good fitness over movie muscle.
“Everyone was just up for a laugh and to feel good,” Higgins told PopSugar. “It wasn’t aesthetics… ‘Barbie’ was more about: let’s just feel good, and if you feel good, that’s going to translate on camera.”
But that “feel-good” approach didn’t mean the workouts were easy.
The Barbie cast trained together throughout filming in London, completing a mix of Pilates and strength training up to six days a week. The Barbies—Robbie included—followed a four-day Pilates, two-day strength routine. The Kens, including Gosling and Simu Liu, flipped the ratio: four days of strength, two days of Pilates.
And every strength day ended with core work.
“We always finished with abs,” Higgins said. “Usually planks.”
Clearly, Robbie took that part seriously.
The Final Plank Results? Margot Wins, But Everyone’s a Good Sport
The final plank leaderboard looked like this:
- David Higgins – 5:32
- Margot Robbie – 4:10
- Producer David Heyman – 4:01
- Ryan Gosling – 3:02
- Hari Nef (Dr. Barbie) – 2:13
- Tom Ackerley (Robbie’s husband) – 1:36
Not bad for a cast of actors in a film with no traditional fight scenes. The one “battle” in the movie? A dream ballet.
Yet the dedication to physical training was real. Simu Liu praised Gosling’s discipline in a Men’s Health interview, saying, “I could not beat Ryan to the gym. He was always there earlier than me and stayed later.” Still, when it came to pure core endurance, Robbie had the edge.
Why Planks Are a Serious Fitness Benchmark
You don’t need to be prepping for a feature film to benefit from planks.
Planks are a functional, low-impact move that target far more than your abs. They engage your:
- Transverse abdominis (deep core muscles)
- Obliques
- Rectus abdominis (the “six-pack” muscle)
- Shoulders
- Glutes
- Lower back
Holding a proper plank strengthens your entire body—especially the often-neglected stabilizer muscles.
It’s also a great test of mental grit.
“People think it’s just about the abs,” Higgins said. “But a plank is about discipline, endurance, and focus. It’s one of the most revealing exercises out there.”
How to Train Like Barbie (Or Ken)
If you’re inspired by Robbie’s performance and want to work on your core endurance, here’s how to get started:
1. Start With Time-Based Goals
Don’t jump straight to four minutes. Begin with manageable intervals.
- Beginner: 20–30 seconds
- Intermediate: 45–60 seconds
- Advanced: 90+ seconds
Build gradually. Aim to add 10–15 seconds each week.
2. Try These Plank Variations
To prevent plateaus and boredom, mix up your plank game:
- Forearm plank
- Side plank
- Plank with shoulder taps
- Plank to push-up
- Plank with leg lifts
- Stir-the-pot (on stability ball)
3. Incorporate Full-Body Strength Work
Higgins emphasized balance. The Barbie crew didn’t just plank—they trained shoulders, legs, back, and biceps too. Core strength improves when the whole body is strong.
4. Add Pilates
Four days of Pilates per week helped the Barbies sculpt long, lean muscles while boosting core control and flexibility.
It’s no coincidence Pilates was foundational to their training—it’s one of the most effective methods for targeting the deep core.
5. Make It Social
One reason the Barbie cast stuck with it? They trained together.
Whether it’s a partner, group class, or online challenge, community builds consistency—and makes workouts way more fun.
Core Strength Isn’t About Six-Packs
Yes, Ryan Gosling showed off some impressive abs in Barbie. But Higgins reminds us not to chase aesthetics alone. Real core strength helps with posture, balance, and injury prevention. It translates to everyday life—whether you’re carrying groceries, playing sports, or yes, holding a plank.
Robbie’s achievement may seem like a quirky movie fact, but it’s actually a powerful reminder: women can outperform men in certain endurance tests, and core strength goes far beyond gym selfies.
Don’t Worry If You Can’t Do Four Minutes
You’re still Kenough.
Robbie’s plank wasn’t just about fitness—it was about commitment, discipline, and the joy of movement. That’s something anyone can tap into.
Start small. Stay consistent. And maybe challenge your friends to a plank-off—you might be surprised who comes out on top.
