WHILE ROBERT PATTINSON has built a reputation as one of his generation’s most exciting and versatile actors, he’s never been known for his physique. That’s why when it was announced he would be playing Batman, his casting was met with some criticism.
Batman isn’t just the cape and cowl. A certain degree of physicality comes with it. We’re talking about a character who, within ten years of Pattinson getting the role, had lined up against Tom Hardy’s Bane and locked horns with Henry Cavill’s Superman.
Pattinson didn’t help his case with a now infamous GQ cover story in which he bemoaned the expectation that he would need to bulk up to play a superhero. “I think if you’re working out all the time, you’re part of the problem,” he said, with “you” being other actors. “You set a precedent. No one was doing this in the ’70s. Even James Dean – he wasn’t exactly ripped.” When asked how his training was going, Pattinson replied: “Literally, I’m just barely doing anything.”
He would later walk back those comments. In another interview with Healthy For Men, Pattinson revealed that while playing a superhero was an intimidating prospect, he did ultimately put in the work to get into the right physical state for the role. “You look at the true warriors of the superhero genre – Hemsworth, The Rock, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans – and wonder if you’re putting yourself in the wrong place,” he said. “It’s all about pushing boundaries and building up to a point where you know you can do justice to the physicality required.”
Ultimately, Pattinson’s work paid off. The Batman was a critical and commercial hit, and Pattinson’s physique went from an area of concern to an area of strength. And while he hasn’t maintained the bulging exterior, he has said that the experience taught him how to stay in better shape.
Ahead of his new film, The Drama, we take a look at how Pattinson trained for The Batman and how he stays fit today.
Robert Pattinson's workout routine
Pattinson’s focus isn’t on trying to be as big as Chris Hemsworth and The Rock. Instead, he wants to look athletic and lean, so his training prioritises functional movements, cardio and bodyweight work over long strength sessions in the gym. These are the pillars of his routine.
Cardio
Pattinson runs 5-10km, 3-4 days a week. Cardio is a constant fixture in his routine.
Circuit training
A five-minute cardio effort followed by bicycle crunches, dumbbell side-bends, double crunches and Superman holds is Pattinson’s go-to circuit workout.
Outdoor fitness
Pattinson is known to enjoy military-style sandbag routines on the beach. He has also been an advocate of long walks as a way of loosening up and freeing the mind.
Bodyweight workout
Rigan Machado, Pattinson’s trainer, previously told Men’s Health about his client’s favourite bodyweight workout, which he does 3-4 times per week. The session involves three sets of pull-ups, push-ups, Copenhagen planks, bear crawls and sprints. Pattinson gives himself 60 seconds to complete each set, followed by 30 seconds of rest.
Jiu-Jitsu
Machado also revealed that he and Pattinson were big on Jiu-Jitsu training in the lead-up to The Batman. They would do warm-ups of running or jumping jacks, followed by intense repetitions of up to 12 different Jiu-Jitsu drills in order to learn the basics of the sport.
Robert Pattinson's week in training
This is how Pattinson’s workout habits might fit together over a typical week.
Monday: conditioning and bodyweight
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Run: 5–8km steady pace
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Bodyweight circuit (3 rounds):
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Pull-ups (60 sec)
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Push-ups (60 sec)
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Copenhagen planks (60 sec)
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Bear crawls (60 sec)
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Sprints (60 sec)
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30 sec rest between movements
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Tuesday: Jiu-Jitsu and core circuit
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Warm-up: Jog or jumping jacks (10–15 mins)
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Jiu-Jitsu training:
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Up to 12 drills (technique + repetitions)
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Finisher Circuit:
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5-min cardio effort
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Bicycle crunches
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Dumbbell side-bends
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Double crunches
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Superman holds
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Wednesday: cardio and outdoor fitness
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Run: 5–10km
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Beach session:
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Sandbag carries
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Sandbag squats / cleans
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Recovery: Long walk
Thursday: bodyweight and conditioning
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Bodyweight circuit (3 rounds) (same structure as Monday)
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Optional: light 5km recovery run or brisk walk
Friday: Jiu-Jitsu focus
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Warm-up: light cardio
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Jiu-Jitsu session:
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Drill work (up to 12 variations)
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Movement and conditioning focus
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Core work: Light ab circuit or mobility
Saturday: long run and light circuit
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Run: 8–10km (endurance focus)
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Short circuit:
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Core-focused (crunch variations, Superman holds)
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Sunday: recover with a long walk
