Soap actor draws backlash after performing workout mid-flight in the centre aisle of plane

Mexican soap opera star and fitness influencer Bárbara de Regil has drawn backlash for performing a workout routine mid-flight.

The 37-year-old actor, who starred in Latin American telenovelas like Lalola and Rosario Tijeras, was traveling with her husband, Fernando Schoenwald, when she decided to unwind by turning the cabin aisle into her personal gym. She performed a full “body pump” workout mid-flight, which didn’t exactly win over her fellow passengers or online spectators.

“I’m feeling crazy after nearly 35 hours in the air on planes,” the fitness guru explained, addressing her 9 million Instagram followers in an Instagram Story post. But instead of sticking to light stretches or a casual stroll, de Regil opted for a full-throttle, multistep workout, including running in place and squat jumps — all while wearing pajamas and an eye mask.

Her husband, unfazed, stayed seated and scrolled through his phone as if nothing unusual was happening.

Meanwhile, online critics weren’t as chill.

“This ridiculous lady has already won the Idiot of the Year award,” one said.

“I go to the back of the plain and stretch not in the middle of the Isle,” wrote another.

“Planes don’t have showers, she must stink,” a third added.

However, there were some who defended the actor. “35 hours!? I would be moving too,” someone said.

“Movement is extremely good for you and healthy for you when you’re flying so often. I learned this because I used to fly a lot for work and I started having issues with water retention and cramping,” read another comment.

De Regil brushed off the backlash, insisting she couldn’t stay still for long periods.

Beneath a screen capture of her story posted on La Razón Mexico’s Instagram account, she took to the comments section to defend her decision to stay active while in the air. “Those movements that you see, hahaha, are to avoid thrombosis and, above all, I don’t know about you, but I can’t sit for that long,” she said.

“I think more are bothered by the one who snores than the one who moves - besides first of all the space is big.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is recommended that airplane passengers move as much as they can during flights to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot forms within the large deep veins of the body, usually in the leg. Clots are more likely when you sit for long periods of time, so getting up and moving is widely encouraged.