Ex-sportsmen Take On Six-pack Challenge

Men’s Health challenged four ex-sportsmen – from a 48-year-old footballing legend to two men who lifted the rugby World Cup a decade ago – to get back to their professional best in just four weeks, with John Barnes, Will Greenwood, Richard Hill and Jason Euell taking on the Men’s Health Celebrity Six-Pack challenge. 

Having already achieved two World Cup wins, more than 200 caps and three MBEs, the men’s magazine gave the ex-sportsmen four weeks to get into shape and add a new six-packs to their list of accolades.

The magazine claims that the transformation of the challengers, unveiled in the Men’s Health November issue, proves that getting back into professional shape doesn’t mean spending all day in the gym.

Footballing legend John Barnes, 48, lost nearly two stone thanks to a nutritional meal plan and a Bulgarian bag which helped him eat correctly, strengthen his core and feel stronger. 

Barnes said: ‘I’ve watched what I’ve been eating and drinking: no booze, no sugar in my tea. I always need a challenge and a push to get fit – left to my own devices I won’t do anything.’

World Cup winning rugby player Will Greenwood, 39, overcame two rebuilt shoulders to be ‘probably in as good shape now as I was when we won the World Cup in 2003.’ 

However, he admitted struggling with the nutrition, adding: ‘Even when I was playing, a Pot Noodle was my dinner of choice. Now, I pack in cottage cheese, tuna and rocket – no more naughty sausage sarnies for me.’ 

Ex-rugby player Richard Hill, also 39, shed 11kg and admits the six-pack challenge was ‘the carrot I needed to get rid of the timber I’ve put on since retirement.’

‘The circuits have been ideal as I could push myself as hard as possible without giving one part of my body an absolute pounding.’

Footballer Jason Euell, 35, said: ‘Switching to training that is so core focused has been a real change. It’s a completely new way of working, so it put my body into shock.’ 

‘As I’m coaching these days, I can afford to go for a bit of aesthetic fitness. It’s good to know I can still show the boys how it’s done in the gym.’

Men’s Health Editor Toby Wiseman added: ‘Four weeks might not seem long to get into great shape but each one of the Men’s Health Celebrity Six-Pack challengers has achieved incredible physical results. They have all adopted the Men’s Health attitude, dedicating themselves not just to their fitness, but a lifestyle, in order to score their own goals.’

The ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of the Celebrity Six-Pack challengers will appear in the November issue of Men’s Health.