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Flex 50: The Fittest Men of 2016
What is the Flex 50?
The Flex 50 is not just the fittest men of 2016. The Flex 50 is that – but it's also much more.
The Flex 50 is a collection of the most influential and dynamic experts and leaders in the worlds of fitness, sport and general badassery, selected by the fitness-focused AskMen editors.
The Flex 50 features the athletes, fighters, trainers, climbers, adventurers, and all-around fitness freaks who flexed their muscles in 2016 – who made us look, made us take note, made us want to get off our arses.
The Flex 50 is not a ranked list. There are many roads to a fit and healthy lifestyle and we recognise that no single path is better than another.
The Flex 50 is a celebration of men who redefine what fitness means. These men inspire us to seek out our limits – then throw them out the window. They train not just for championships, gold medals or the thrill of winning. These men train for life.
This is the Flex 50.
Harry How/Getty Images
Whether you believe Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete of all time is completely up to you. But there's no argument that he is the most accomplished athlete in Olympic history, with seven world records to his credit and 23 gold medals (28 overall). He finished his fifth Olympic Games in Rio by winning a record-breaking 13th individual gold medal, toppling a record that stood for more than 2,000 years. "People have no idea how difficult it is to win one Olympic gold medal," his coach Bob Bowman told the Washington Post. "Michael has done it so frequently that it's really hard to put it in perspective."
Sure, Michael will go down in history as one of the greatest Olympians ever, but his epic angry face in the waiting area before his 200-metre butterfly semi-final race against South Africa's Chad le Clos has also reached infamous status. Michael has always been known for his long and intense training sessions but at 31, his recovery time has increased. He's working out four or five hours a day instead of six or seven. He mixes in speed and endurance, totalling as many as 50 miles per week in the water. Add to that strength training and weightlifting sessions four or five times a week. When you are training that much, there are little restrictions in your diet. Michael has been known to pack in up to 12,000 calories a day, which is close to what you might eat in a week.
Secret Weapon: When Michael isn't in the water, it's rare to spot him without his Beats by Dre headphones. He was reportedly listening to Eminem when he was scowling at le Clos in Brazil.
Instagram: @m_phelps00
Twitter: @MichaelPhelps
Facebook: Michael Phelps
mathewfras/Instagram
Mat Fraser
After back-to-back runner-up finishes at the CrossFit Games, Mathew Fraser can finally call himself "The Fittest Man on Earth."
Mat had been considered the heir apparent to the crown vacated by Rich Froning when Rich decided to retire from individual competition to focus on winning team titles. But Mat was edged out by Ben Smith at the 2015 CrossFit Games. This year was different. He crushed the field the way no one has in the sport's history. The final day of competition was essentially a victory lap.
"I just don't find that I'm able to push myself as hard if I'm at all unhappy, upset or angry," he said in an interview with Men's Health. "When I go into a workout happy, with a smile on my face, I'm willing to suffer a bit more, I'm willing to dig a little deeper, push a little harder."
Fraser started Olympic lifting when he was 12 years-old. He fell in love. The Vermont native was so committed that the day that he graduated high school, he moved to the Olympic Training Center as a resident athlete for two years. Then, in 2009, he suffered a broken vertebrae in two spots and was forced into surgery to fix the issue. Following his surgery, he moved to Michigan, where the US Olympic team's education centre is, to complete rehabilitation. He later moved back to Vermont and committed himself to CrossFit – a natural fit given his weightlifting background.
Good decision.
Secret Weapon: Nike Metcon 2 training shoes
Nike Metcon 2, £120.57 at Amazon
Instagram: @mathewfras
Twitter: @MathewFras
Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor is one of sport's most colourful athletes. Raised in Dublin, the featherweight is the most recognised UFC fighter whose name is not Ronda Rousey. His mouth and skills have turned him into one of the biggest draws in MMA. He proved it again when he avenged his loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in an epic split decision win over his toughest opponent to date.
In his very first UFC bout, he finished off his opponent in a little over a minute via TKO, a move that earned him his very first "Knockout of the Night" award. In December 2015, Conor won the featherweight title by KO'ing Jose Aldo in 13 seconds – the fastest finish in UFC history for a title fight. And he called it beforehand, Muhammad Ali-style. At 20-3, Conor has 16 knockouts, one submission win, and 12 first-round victories.
When it comes to his workout regimen, you won't see him throwing heavy weights around. And he doesn't go all-out while sparring either. Conor famously trained with movement specialist Ido Portal (who is also on this list) to improve his movement patterns in the ring.
Timing, agility, and power are the three main components he puts an emphasis on when training. Staying in lighter weight classes isn't easy so he fuels his body with "clean" food sources, which also helps him recover faster.
Fact: Conor loves coconut water and stays away from energy drinks.
Instagram: @thenotoriousmma
Twitter: @TheNotoriousMMA
Facebook: Conor McGregor
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
There was a moment in the semi-final of the men's 200-metre race at the Rio Olympics where a Canadian sprinter named Andre De Grasse, thought he could creep by Usain Bolt, the most dominant sprinter in all of athletics, and steal a win. The two laughed while crossing the finish line. Usain, of course, still finished in first place and playfully wagged a finger at Andre as if to say: "Not yet, young man. I still run this sport." It was a perfect image that described the kind of stranglehold that the Lightning Bolt has on the competition and on the world. At the Rio Games, the sprinter became the first athlete in history to win the 100 and 200-metre dash and the 4x100 relay at three consecutive Olympics.
It's not just Bolt's wins that are impressive. He's actually a freak of nature. At 6'5", he turns his legs over faster than world-class sprinters who are much shorter than him. He dominates his races and charms the crowd. He is a spectacle, almost mythological in stature. His sub-par races – he ran 9.79 to win the 100 in Rio while his world-record best is 9.58 – still crush the competition.
And these feats come from a man who admittedly hates to train and has never ran a full mile. He also doesn't like vegetables and refuses to give up fast food. His diet is simple, usually consisting of foods like chicken and yams. Usain is also a fan of hot wings.
Like we said, freak of nature.
Fact: After Usain scored his third gold medal by winning the 4x100-meter relay at the Rio Olympics, he celebrated with chicken nuggets from McDonald's. And it's not the first time. Usain reportedly downed 1,000 nuggets in the 10 days leading up to the Beijing Games in 2008. (He also won three gold medals there.)
Instagram: @usainbolt
Twitter: @usainbolt
Facebook: Usain Bolt
Courtesy of Ido Portal
Ido Portal's tagline sums up his mission: Movement Culture.
On his website, Ido writes that he's obsessed with movement, and that's what drives him. While searching for a true movement teacher (not one specialising in a specific discipline such as dance or martial arts), he realised he couldn't find a mentor to relate to.
"So, I decided to become that person. How presumptuous, I know, but also how necessary," he writes. He has since travelled the world and studied the teachings of experts specialising in a variety of disciplines, from osteopaths to professional dancers and circus performers. "Slowly, I started to form a body of knowledge and point of view on movement education, development, cultivation."
Ido's philosophy is about more than being strong. It's about being fit and having stamina. It's about how you move throughout the day. Considering you're constantly moving to some degree, Ido wants you to optimise your movement patterns, which is particularly important in our sedentary society.
Ido trains three to four hours a day, every day. He does a combination of dancing, fighting, acrobatics, and climbing, and also spends time improvising movement patterns with objects and weights. His diet includes essential fatty acids, grass-fed organic meats, and plenty of veggies.
Ido conducts a yearly event called "The Movement Camp," where he brings together movement teachers and students alike to exchange ideas and add value to their own practices and lives.
Secret Weapons: A pair of Feiyue shoes, wooden gymnastics rings and UE Boom 2 speakers.
Feiyue shoes, £14.69 at Amazon
Wooden gymnastics rings, £17.99 at Amazon
UE Boom 2 portable speaker, £109 at Amazon
Instagram: @portal.ido
Facebook: Ido Portal
YouTube: Ido Portal
Joe Wicks exploded to fame in 2015, having emerged in 2014 as a body transformation specialist with the power of his 90 Day SSS Plan, and is now one of the most wanted men in the fitness industry. With well over three million followers on his social channels, he's helped guide more people toward their fitness goals than the entire population of Jamaica. His speciality is fat loss and building lean muscle.
His meteoric rise to fame can be attributed to his mastery of Instagram (and subsequent six best-selling book deals) having grown from a mere 20,000 followers (a lot to most of us) to a whopping 1.3m in just a year or two. His #Leanin15 recipe videos are a big part of his popularity as he is one of the few people who can make healthy eating look easy and enjoyable. His first recipe book was no.1 on Amazon at Christmas through the strength of pre-orders alone.
The idea behind his plan is a combination of HIIT training and carb refuel meals; you workout hard in short bursts and then only eat carbs after you work out, forcing your body to utilise them to rebuild muscle and resupply your energy stores instead storing them as fat. And not only have we tried it (and found that it works) but thousands of others have achieved the body they want.
Although Joe now legitimately wields Insta-celeb status and has his own TV show on Channel 4, the man still has the same, down-to-earth mission as he started: "To help millions of ordinary people achieve the body of their dreams."
Secret Weapon: "I put Lucy Bee coconut oil in practically every recipe I cook."
Lucy Bee Coconut Oil, £17.35 at Amazon
Instagram: @thebodycoach
Twitter: @thebodycoach
Facebook: Joe Wicks
Courtesy of Rich Roll
Rich Roll
Rich Roll only entered the world of endurance sports at the age of 40. The former entertainment lawyer is now considered one of the best ultra-endurance athletes in the world and hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, one of the most downloaded on iTunes.
But the road to success was far from easy. Although Rich was part of the Stanford University swim team in college, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years. At the age of 40 and 50 pounds overweight, Rich knew he needed to overhaul his lifestyle. He decided to take control of his health and became a dedicated vegan. He also jumped feet first into training, becoming engulfed in running and swimming. His achievements include completing five Ironman-distance triathlons on five different Hawaiian Islands in under a week alongside fellow athlete Jason Lester, a feat the partners refer to as the EPIC5 challenge.
Rich adheres to a plant-based diet, something he recommends to everyone through his motivational writing and public speaking. He has published two books: Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself and The Plantpower Way: Whole Food Plant-Based Recipes and Guidance for The Whole Family.
Rich and his wife, chef and yogi Julie Piatt, recently started hosting wellness retreats. The retreats feature yoga and meditation workshops and plant-based cuisine.
Secret Weapon: "My running shoes because no matter where you are, you can always run," he says.
The Plantpower Way: Whole Food Plant-Based Recipes and Guidance for The Whole Family, £23.63 at Amazon
Instagram: @richroll
Twitter: @richroll
Facebook: Rich Roll
Courtesy of Ricky Warren
Ricky Warren
"Our bodies are made up of energy and light. We are invincible."
If you've seen him move, you might agree with the life motto Ricky Warren shared with us. He has been involved in bodyweight mastery almost his entire life.
Beginning with various martial arts including judo, wing chun, boxing, Thai boxing, and grappling, he started practising more artistic and acrobatic elements of these arts during his teenage years. The cool tricks got him hooked on calisthenics. London boy Ricky, who is a big advocate of functional training, can perform advanced movements such as muscle-ups, planches, front lever, back lever, and the human flag. "I'm a vegetarian and [eat a vegan diet] a few days a week. I find that a plant-based diet is cleaner for my body and better on my conscience," he says.
Here is what his signature guerrilla superset consists of (it's not for the faint of heart!):
One arm pull-up (both sides)
Five-second front lever
Five-second straddle planche
8 x 80kg back squats
Bag work
Secret Weapon: "I would say a pull-up bar. It's the only thing that's a requirement to work the back properly since you can't really do pulling exercises on the floor," he says.
Wall/ceiling-mounted pull-up bar, £24.53 at Amazon
Instagram: @rix.official
YouTube: RIX Official
Jimmy Chin/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
Alex Honnold's climbing friends call him "No Big Deal" because of his nonchalant attitude towards the most epic feats (like conquering Yosemite). The 30-year-old's free solo ascents (as in, he does this dangerous stuff without a harness or a partner) of America's biggest cliffs have made him one of the most respected athletes in the world of climbing.
Alex is constantly pushing the boundaries of his sport. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the first solo ascent of University Wall at Squamish. In 2012, he finished the Yosemite Triple Crown with a record breaking time (18 hours and 50 minutes). He is the second person in two decades to complete this free solo climb in one day. In January, Alex and fellow climber Colin Haley scaled Patagonia's Torre Traverse, which as more than 7,000 feet of vertical gain, in a record 20 hours and 40 minutes. According to Men's Journal, the duo only carried 4.5 litres of water each and some energy bars and gels.
In his book, Alone on the Wall, which was turned into an Emmy-nominated film by National Geographic, he discusses in vivid detail the seven most astonishing (and death-defying) achievements he's had in his illustrious climbing career to date. Each climb is narrated with so much grit and drama that you'll feel like you're beside him on his journey.
And how does someone like Alex nourish himself when he's ascending some of the most frightening cliffs in the world? When he's training, he eats strictly vegetarian meals and stays away from dairy as much as he can. During his climbs, he's literally eating the whole time to keep both his energy and focus levels high. He relies on things like fruit, bars, and nuts. For longer hikes, he packs something like a big sandwich.
Alex is an all-around decent guy too. In 2012, he founded an environmental non-profit called The Honnold Foundation, which offers grants to projects that seek to create a positive difference in the world.
And if you're wondering where you can find him these days, would you believe it if we said he lives in a van down by the river? Well, it's true. He lives out of his van and travels the globe in search for the next big adventure.
Secret Weapon: Alex told Outside Magazine that he never climbs without TC Pro climbing shoes.
La Sportiva climbing shoes, £55.32 at Amazon
Instagram: @alexhonnold
Twitter: @AlexHonnold
Facebook: Alex Honnold
Once dismissed as a scrawny, moody teenager (by people who clearly didn't know what they were talking about), Andy Murray has now silenced any doubts that he is one of the best tennis players ever. A second Wimbledon title came this summer, not long before he became the first male tennis player to win back-to-back Olympic golds.
To become a winner in the era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, Murray has repeatedly adapted his training. He bulked up, giving raw power to an already-fearsome return of serve. He uses something called Gyrotonics (a form of exercise influenced by yoga, tai chi and dancing) to improve his mobility and prevent injuries. But it's often his endurance that wins him matches, chasing down balls that look like lost causes and going strong while his opponents weaken. For this, he credits things like practising while wearing a resistance band around his waist.
If there's been any criticism over the years it's over his mental endurance, sometimes losing focus or becoming negative on-court. Murray has addressed that too, working with sports psychologists to forge the mind, as well as the body, of a champion.
Secret Weapon: Murray endorses the Head Radical Pro racket.
Head Radical Pro, £131.22 at Amazon
Instagram: @andymurray
Twitter: @andy_murray
Facebook: Andy Murray
Al Bello/Getty Images
Gennady Golovkin
With 35 wins on 35 fights (including 32 knockouts), Gennady Golovkin is one of the most-dodged fighters in boxing. He has marched through the middleweight division with 22 consecutive KOs and the highest KO percentage of any middleweight in history. He's a wrecking machine.
The Ring magazine has ranked GGG as the world's number one middleweight fighter. An incredibly powerful boxer who becomes an aggressive stalker once he steps inside the ring, Gennady won a gold medal at the 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships and a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics before he began demolishing pro fighters. His amateur career is extensive with a, y'know, respectable record of 345-5. This September, boxing's most dominant fighter will attempt to get his 23d straight knockout in a showdown with Kell Brook.
Gennady, who trains in Big Bear Lake, California with veteran trainer Abel Sanchez, has marched through the middleweight ranks at a knockout rate of 91.4. In more than 375 fights, he has never been knocked down. He might be known as a power puncher, but he's also in incredible shape. His workouts are comprised of boxing-specific work and bodyweight exercises. His coach rarely briefs him on his workouts ahead of time. He only tells him to show up three times a week for cardiovascular work and bodyweight training, adapting the session to the athlete's energy and condition. Every day is different. Stretching is also a huge component of GGG's training protocol: He stretches up to three times a day to help prevent injuries.
Fact: Triple G had 350 amateur fights before beginning his pro career.
Instagram: @gggboxing
Twitter: @GGGBoxing
Facebook: Gennady Golovkin
Courtesy of Mike Aidala
Mike Aidala
Mike Aidala does it all, including flying.
From American football to Olympic weightlifting and competitive stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), Mike has spent his life mastering flow through fitness in various disciplines. "Flow happens when you are totally in the zone. Minutes turn into hours of energised focus, complete connection and pleasure in the present moment," he writes on his website.
Mike believes that what we learn to do on the mat or in the gym has a direct correlation with how we experience our lives – improving physical, mental, occupational, environmental, spiritual and emotional health. And he has the experience and credibility to give such advice: He holds a degree in kinesiology and fitness development from Cortland State University. During his college football career, he earned All-Academic, All-Conference honours. He previously worked with the New York Jets' strength and conditioning staff during several training camps, and studied at the EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance) elite training facility in Los Angeles, where he trained college and professional athletes.
His Instagram account puts his varied skills on display, from a video showing his Olympic lifts in the gym to another showcasing a handstand "kiss" with splits.
Secret Weapon: "Chalk," he says. "It helps on sunny days when you're lifting people over your head."
Gym Chalk Ball, £5.99 at Amazon
Instagram: @mike.aidala
justtrain1/Instagram
Ron "Boss" Everline
You can think of Ron "Boss" Everline as the workout buddy who keeps you accountable by using just the right amount of tough love. The university athlete-turned-trainer often works out alongside his (very famous) clients, tapping into their competitive spirit to encourage them to push their limits.
Ron attended university in the US on an athletic scholarship. He started a personal training business while trying to make his American football dreams come true. But he eventually realised his side gig was his true calling. At that time, little did he know he would end up training A-listers such as Kevin Hart, Ne-Yo, Christina Milian and Trey Songz. Through his work, he has even spent time working with royals throughout Europe, Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Ron's signature workouts reflect his athletic background. From supersets to high-intensity interval training and from running to intense core work, he uses high-level conditioning methods to get people in the best shape of their life.
But don't get it twisted: Just because he works with an elite clientele doesn't mean he is not committed to making fitness accessible to everyone. Ron has headed a number of initiatives to promote health and fitness, including CJ the Workout Kid, a program aimed to fight childhood obesity in Atlanta, as well as Teachers Get Fit, which motivates teachers to be active, healthy role models for kids.
Secret Weapon: As Kevin Hart's trainer, it's only right that Boss's secret weapon be a training shoe designed for Kevin Hart.
Nike Free Instinct, £47.25 at Amazon
Instagram: @justtrain1
Facebook: Ron Boss Everline
Rich Froning is the most decorated athlete in CrossFit history. He's basically the Michael Jordan of fitness.
Rich became the first person to win the title of "Fittest Man on Earth" four times in a row, finishing in first place at the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 CrossFit Games. In July, he led CrossFit Mayhem to its second back-to-back team titles.
He grew up in Tennessee, where he currently resides. He was an all-region second baseman in high school. After graduating in 2005, continued playing at Walters State Community College. Soon after, he decided to end his baseball career, and began working at the Cookeville Fire Department while studying at Tennessee Technological University. It was at the fire department that Rich became interested in this new thing called CrossFit. He developed a deep passion for the sport. It wasn't long until he began coaching and competing, and the rest is history.
Rich has been a pioneer in making a living off CrossFit, the way an NBA athlete would land lucrative sponsorships. He has won more than a million dollars in purse money with his CrossFit Games victories, earning him significant sponsorships from brands like Reebok, Oakley, and Rogue Fitness. In early 2015, Reebok released a shoe designed in part by Rich, which bore the name of the bible scripture tattooed on his side – the Reebok CrossFit Compete 6:14.
Fact: After winning four consecutive individual CrossFit Games titles, Rich retired from individual competition and has since lead CrossFit Mayhem to back-to-back team titles.
Instagram: @richfroning
Twitter: @richfroning
Facebook: Rich Froning
Demetrious Johnson
While kids sit in front of their television watching a Mighty Mouse cartoon, a real life Mighty Mouse exists: His name is Demetrious Johnson. Don't let his 5'3" frame and 125-pound body fool you: When you step up and test Mighty Mouse, you're going to walk away in a world of hurt. If you don't believe it, ask the eight fighters who tried to take his UFC flyweight title belt away from him.
An athlete his entire life, Demetrious felt comfortable as a wrestler. Taking his skillset to the next level, he decided to start training for MMA. He was quickly named one of the fastest fighters in all of MMA. His speed, conditioning and technique earned him a 24-2-1 record.
Whether Mighty Mouse is training for a fight or not, he tries to maintain a healthy diet and drink a ton of water. Does he enjoy his fast food and sweets? Sure. But even though he doesn't believe in deprivation, he does try to keep those to a minimum.
The fighter trains under Matt Hume and Joel Jamieson, and says he is not a fan of pushing his body to the point where he feels he's doing more harm than good. Hume and Johnson's training methods consist of a mix of just about everything –resistance bands, kettlebells, barbells, and power sleds workouts.
Fun Fact: Mighty Mouse doesn't like coffee. He considers it a waste of time.
Instagram: @mightmymouse125
Twitter: @MightyMouseUFC
Facebook: "Mighty Mouse" Johnson
scottjurek/Instagram
Scott Jurek
It's not every day that you run into someone with a CV like Scott Jurek's. Scott is most recognised for being a competitive ultramarathon runner. His achievements include winning the Western States Endurance Run – a 100-mile run in the US – seven times, the Miwok 100k trail race three times, and the Leona Divide 50-miler four times. He was named "Ultra Runner of the Year" four times by Ultrarunning Magazine, and set the American all-surface record in the 24-hour run by running 165.7 miles (six and a half marathons) in one day. His athletic acumen, just like his mileage, is extensive.
Scott, the bestselling author of Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness, has been a vegan since 1999. He often says the vegan lifestyle is what has taken him so far in the sport, helping improve his endurance, recovery and overall health. Scott also enjoys yoga, Nordic skiing, cycling, and hiking.
How passionate is he? The running legend is known to let out a loud scream at the start of races and stick around the finish line to cheer on fellow finishers. In 2015, 20 years into his athletic career, he decided to see how quickly he could run through the Appalachian Trail. And run he did, setting a new record for the trail. At the age of 42, he ran the Trail in an astounding 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes. He called the feat his "masterpiece" in an interview with Runner's World Newswire.
Secret Weapon: To commemorate Scott's record-breaking Appalachian Trail run, Brooks Running created the limited-edition Cascadia 11 trail running shoe.
Cascadia 11, £83.79 at Amazon
Instagram: @ScottJurek
Twitter: @ScottJurek
Facebook: Scott Jurek
Courtesy of Jesse Thomas
Jesse Thomas
Jesse didn't start his career the way most people do. He had to borrow a bike to enter his first triathlon as his was broken. He needed an aero helmet since he didn't own one. The aviator sunglasses he's known to race with? He bought them at a corner shop. "I'm that dude who races in aviators. Feel free to make fun of me," he writes in his Strava profile. When Jesse won the Wildflower Triathlon for the first time, the announcer didn't even know his name. Since then, the triathlete has won the race five other times and holds the fastest time for the course.
Last September, Jesse won his debut IRONMAN in Wales. In May 2016, he beat IRONMAN world champ Jan Frodeno in Spain. It's tough to find a weakness in Jesse, who trains with Matt Dixon of purplepatch fitness. And training for triathlons is not for the weak. Get this: Jesse does 15-20 workouts a week – four to six swims, five to seven bike rides, three to five runs, and two to three strength sessions. He considers an hour spin on a bike an "easy" day. What does a hard day look like? How about a 75-minute swim, 5-hour bike ride and a 40-minute run with race pace intervals?
Jesse follows a clean diet full of nutritious all-natural ingredients. Unable to find a performance bar made with unprocessed ingredients, Jesse and his wife decided to make their own. They founded Picky Bars (currently unavailable in the UK unfortunately), a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and GMO-free energy bar brand.
Secret Weapon: "Picky Bars, of course. And also Jaybird X2 wireless headphones. With that much exercise, I have those things on four to six hours a day," he says.
Jaybird X2 Wireless Headphones, £99.99 at Amazon
Instagram: @jessemthomas
Twitter: @jessemthomas
Facebook: Jesse Thomas
bsmit13/Instagram
Last year, Ben Smith won the CrossFit Games and was named "The Fittest Man on Earth." This year, he finished second. If you ask us, that's still pretty darn good.
Ben, who is the co-owner and founder of his own CrossFit box in the US state of Virginia, competed in his eighth consecutive CrossFit Games this year, finishing behind Mat Fraser and, at age 26, becoming a veteran CrossFitters.
Men's Health once said if you saw Ben in a grocery checkout line, you could mistake him for a sixth grade teacher. It's true. Ben does have an unassuming look. But most teachers ain't deadlifting 240kg.
An avid baseball player growing up, Ben was introduced to CrossFit at school. Since then, as a self-instructed athlete, he has finished first in the Mid Atlantic Region six times. One of the most successful CrossFitters of all time, Ben is one of only four men to have multiple podium finishes at the CrossFit Games. A recent Instagram post illustrates his approach towards training and competing. "It's all about the journey, not the destination," the post reads. "Enjoy the process and embrace the challenges along the way."
Fact: Ben has finished first, second and third (twice) at the CrossFit Games.
Instagram: @bsmit13
Twitter: @Ben_Smith13
Facebook: Ben Smith
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger
Akin Akman
You've got to admire a man who can inspire an entire army. Voted one of the best SoulCycle instructors of 2015 and 2016, Akin Akman has a legion of dedicated followers searching to discover the best version of themselves. They have even been dubbed "Akin's Army."
Akin has been sharing with others the work ethic he's practised much of his life. At five years old, he started training to be a pro tennis player. It wasn't long before he would be hitting balls at the prestigious IMG Academy, a camp known for producing prodigies such as Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova under legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. Akin trained for eight to ten hours, six days a week, which is not that different from his current teaching schedule.
Severe injuries derailed his professional tennis career and after playing at Florida Atlantic University, Akin moved to New York to start a modelling career while teaching at SoulCycle and leading other fitness classes as a side gig. Before long, instead of becoming a star on the tennis court, Akin had become a fitness role model. His training isn't all spin and cardio. He does several strength training workouts each week, including bodyweight power moves. He doesn't follow a strict diet or count "cheat days." There's just one rule: no fried food.
Fact: As part of a launch event for Tommy Hilfiger, Akin once played a game of "strip tennis" with Chanel Iman and Rafael Nadal.
Instagram: @akiniko
Twitter: @akin87
Pistol Peet / Flickr
For a softly-spoken Farmworth lad, Jason Kenny is doing alright. The track cyclist has won six Olympic gold medals in his career so far, the latest three coming in Rio this summer. He may not be an international name and he doesn't play the sponsorship game like some athletes, but get this – there are only two male athletes who have won more Olympic golds in the 21st century and their names are Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps. Plus, Kenny has at least one, maybe two more Games in his legs.
For anyone who rides a bike (either for fun or even to avoid public transport fares), the 28-year-old should be an idol. He produces phenomenal power in his legs, hitting 70km/h at full tilt.
To achieve that, he's on the track four days a week as well as regular long-distance road rides. But it's his work in the gym that he credits for his speed. Twice a week he'll do squats, leg presses and deadlifts, building phenomenal strength and power in his quads.
Fact: Kenny is engaged to fellow Team GB gold magnet Laura Trott.
Twitter: @JasonKenny107
Facebook: Jason Kenny
Instagram: @britishcycling
Courtesy of Kevin Jorgeson via Facebook
Kevin Jorgeson
Kevin completed the hardest climb in the world on January 14, 2015 – the Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park – with climbing partner Tommy Caldwell. They were the first two climbers to successfully make this journey – considered by some as the hardest route ever climbed – and they did it without climbing aids or ropes. It took 19 days to complete the arduous ascent. The preparation was six years in the making. When they weren't climbing (they climbed between 4pm and midnight), the two rested, refuelled and slept in a portaledges – tents anchored into the granite – for 12 hours every night. They ate Clif Bars, salmon, kale and other nutritious snacks to maintain their energy and be able to climb for long periods of time.
Kevin started rock climbing at 10 years old and discovered really discovered sport at the grand opening of a local climbing gym. He was the top-ranked climber of the country in his age group by the time he was 19.
The footage of Kevin's battle with Dawn Wall's Pitch 15, which aired at the Vail Film Festival and will be included in the forthcoming documentary Dawn Wall, gives an intimate window into the enormous pressure he faced to succeed. After this enormous feat of athletic ability, Kevin is still spending time climbing, of course, but he is also working as a motivational speaker, asking crowds to consider what their own "Dawn Wall" consists of.
Fact: During the Dawn Wall climb, Kevin and Tommy took about 70 significant falls averaging 10 to 25 feet, according to Vanity Fair.
Instagram: @kjorgeson
Twitter: @kjorgeson
Facebook: Kevin Jorgeson
David Becker/ABC via Getty Images
On his website, celebrity trainer Chris Powell refers to himself as "the change artist," a fitting description considering he travelled the whole of the US to help extremely obese people shed hundreds of pounds for the reality TV show Extreme Weight Loss.
His trainees are in good hands: Chris holds a degree in exercise science with concentrations in biomechanics and physiology. He is also a best-selling author. His first book, Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution, provides exercise and nutrition tips as well as insights to help people tap into the right mindset to achieve a life-changing transformation. His second book, Chris Powell's Choose More, Lose More for Life features carb-cycling programs and super effective nine-minute workouts.
Chris and his wife and co-host, Heidi Powell, recently released another book together: Extreme Transformation: Lifelong Weight Loss in 21 Days.
According to this Yahoo article, Chris believes there are seven key weight loss principles:
Drink water by the gallon, as it will help keep you full between meals.
Eliminate carbs after dark.
Remind yourself constantly why you want to lose weight.
Always have healthy meals or snacks prepped and ready to go.
Start small with exercise and gradually build up the volume and intensity.
When ordering food at restaurants, don't be afraid to make special requests to
Remove all processed and fatty foods from your house and replace them with healthier and more nutritious options.
Secret weapon: "My pre-workout. Like a lot of people, I often have a tough time getting started when I'm tired and sore. A little pre-workout kick is sometimes all I need to turn an 'okay' workout into an epic one,"
Metabolic Nutrition Tri-Pep Grape, £59.60 at Amazon
Instagram: @realchrispowell
Twitter: @RealChrisPowell
Facebook: Chris Powell
Max Whitlock
Team GB's double Olympic champion. Two golds, one bronze in Rio. There is no-one in the world who could beat him. That officially makes Max Whitlock's shredded abs world-beaters in their own right.
That's because the 23-year-old won his medals in events that require phenomenal core strength and functional movement, the pommel horse and the floor routine.
Needless to say, it doesn't come easy. Max trains full-time as a lottery-funded athlete. A lot of his workouts involve some form of bat-shit crazy gymnast conditioning, things like holding your body parallel off the floor, upside-down press-ups or throwing himself around a high bar. But Max also focuses on the basics to build functional strength, things like press-ups, squats, tricep dips, pull-ups and sit-ups. Oh – and lots of stretching.
If you want a bit of his core strength (and midsection definition), check out his abs workout for AskMen here.
Fact: Max's Olympic tally is now five medals: he won two bronze medals at the 2012 games in London.
Instagram: @maxwhitlock
Twitter: @maxwhitlock1
Facebook: Max Whitlock
Courtesy of Obi Obadike
Obi Obadike
"You're only as good as your last workout."
That's how Obi Obadike told us he looks at fitness. The celebrity trainer and nutrition expert, who has been on the cover of over 50 fitness magazines, preaches the idea that fitness is a lifestyle, as much a part of your day as taking a shower or brushing your teeth.
Fitness has certainly always been a part of Obi's life. He was a track sprinter at Cal State Fullerton, where he was the university record-holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400-metre relay. An internationally-recognised training veteran with nearly two million Twitter followers, Obi was recognised in 2015 by Onalytica, a social media analytics resource, as the No. 1 health and fitness influencer on Twitter.
His training is a mix of circuit training; high-intensity interval workouts merged with traditional lifting sessions that include lots of supersets, sprints, plyometrics, and long runs.
In 2015, he was the co-host and judge of US fitness reality competition show, Sweat Inc., alongside Jillian Michaels and Randy Hetrick (the founder and CEO of TRX Training). Obi currently co-hosts a health TV show called Lifestyle Magazine, which airs every week on a number of channels across the pond.
Secret Weapon: "I can't live without my music and Beats headphones. Music is what keeps my mind off the actual workout. I can't imagine working out without my music," he says.
Beats Studio Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones, £189.99 at Amazon
Instagram: @obiobadike
Twitter: @Obi_Obadike
Facebook: Obi Obadike Fitness
Courtesy of Ross Edgley
Ross Edgley
Ross calls himself an athlete adventurer – a guy who doesn't really follow a specific training regimen. That's because his training changes every week or maybe every day. One day, he might be in the gym expertly performing heavy Olympic lifts with plenty of rest in between. On another day, he might be going through a classic German volume training program or tossing gymnastic rings over a tree. Ross doesn't believe anyone should favour a single way to get fitter, stronger, and leaner in order to reach their potential – and it shows.
Ross's potential knows no limits. In January, he pulled off an incredible fitness stunt for charity, running a full marathon while pulling a Mini. It took him 19 hours, 36 minutes and 43 seconds. He called it the world's strongest marathon. In April, he tore through two pairs of shoes and 10 pairs of gloves while completing the world's longest rope climb. Ross repeatedly climbed a 10-meter rope for about 24 hours until he had climbed 8,848 meters. That's nearly 30,000 feet – roughly the same height as Mount Everest.
Ross is a fitness expert, sports scientist and the founder of the sports nutrition company Protein Works. He says his 18-hour work days (world's longest work day?) is one of the reasons behind his adaptive training. He doesn't follow any diet plans either. Ross quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson to describe his strategy. "As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles a few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods."
What's next for Ross? Oh, he's just training for the World's Strongest Triathlon, a swimming, cycling and running event combined with a tree-pulling challenge (the tree weighs 100 pounds).
Secret Weapon: Raze Pre-workout from The Protein Works. It's a pretty potent stimulant-based pre-workout and although I'm never reliant on it, it's for those workouts when I need a massive kick up the proverbial bum.
Raze Pre-workout, £12.49 at TheProteinWorks.com
Instagram: @rossedgley
Twitter: @RossEdgley
Facebook: Ross Edgley
mrcalliet/Instagram
Corey Calliet
Corey Calliet's influence on fitness in Hollywood has been a knockout. Literally. How do you think Michael B. Jordan got so jacked for his lead role in the 2015 box office hit Creed ? While working with MJB was his most recent high-profile client makeover, Corey has been hard at work in the gym for over a decade.
The trainer has had a successful career in the fitness industry and 2016 has been one of his busiest years yet – he worked with clients like the aforementioned Jordan, rapper A$AP Rocky, and US TV host Terrence Jenkins. His reach goes far beyond Hollywood too; his client roster includes NBA hopefuls and up-and-coming bodybuilders. Most recently, he's been spotted training NBA star Tyreke Evans. He's even got the co-sign from eight-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman.
Corey also keeps a tally of his clients' success – 117 body transformations; over 2,100 hours of sweat; over 1,000 goals achieved; and more than 300,000 calories burned according to his webpage. His trainees' results are driven by a lifestyle modification approach to fitness. You have to be all-in when working with Corey.
Beyond physical transformations, Corey believes that mental preparation is essential. He says he doesn't train a muscle, he envisions creating the muscle. That's #TheCallietWay.
Secret Weapon: "My Beats headphones," he says.
Instagram: @mrcalliet
Twitter: @mrcalliet
Courtesy of Nike
Faisal Abdalla
Heard of this guy? Maybe not. Heard of Ellie Goulding? Of course you have. Well, Faisal Abdalla is the celebrity PT responsible for Goulding's newly honed physique, who last year made headlines for that lean and strong transformation. He's also a Nike 'master trainer'. That means the world's largest and most popular fitness brand want him to be the face and body of their fitness arm – that's mightily impressive.
Not only this, but he's also the master trainer at Barry's Bootcamp in London, one of Britain's most popular workout classes, and you just know he's not going to take it easy on you. Look at the man, he's made of solid, lean muscle – he clearly knows how to build a strong and athletic body.
He's earned himself the nickname Mr. PMA, which stands for Positive Mental Attitude, because he believes it should be the mantra for all things in your life. And if you let him, he'll unlock your PMA for a healthy body and mind.
Fact: Faisal originally started out as a Hollywood extra and initially kept himself in lean shape so he could get regular work.
Instagram: @faisalpmafitness
Facebook: PMA Fitness
aldridgelogan/Instagram
Logan Aldridge
It's pretty impressive if you can deadlift 160kg. But try doing it with one arm. Logan Aldridge is an adaptive CrossFit athlete and coach, who lost his left arm when he was 13 years old in a boating accident. Ever since Logan has refused to consider himself disabled.
In fact, with a clean and jerk personal record of 84kg, he's probably more able than the many of us. Since Logan's accident, he has competed in wakeboarding competitions, became an accomplished lacrosse player at school, a motivational speaker, an influential CrossFitter and an advocate for adaptive athletes. Logan was left-handed, which meant he needed to learn how to function, even simply write, with his non-dominant hand.
"It's just an arm," Logan said when we asked his life motto.
The 25-year old training five days a week, typically working in two sessions a day, training for strength and skill in the morning and working on conditioning in the evenings. He spends an average of three to four hours a day in training.
When it comes to diet, Logan sticks to whole foods but has a soft spot for peanut butter and chocolate milkshake. His favourite meal is sweet potato with chunky peanut butter and honey, which he says he eats at least once a day.
Secret Weapon: "When I reach into my backpack and pull out my Reebok Nano 6.0s, I know things are about to get fun and I'm ready to take on any workout," he says.
Reebok Nano 6.0, £72.13 at Amazon
Instagram: @aldridgelogan
Twitter: @aldridgelogan1
willsworkout/Instagram
Will Arrufat
Will Arrufat isn't just a trainer; he's a motivator. He's also a HIIT training specialist and a CrossFit coach. While many are posting selfies on Instagram, Will's feed is full of motivational quotes and inspiring posts about his clients overcoming obstacles on their fitness journey. And speaking of his Instagram, visit his page if you're in need of a workout.
Will has been a performance coach and group fitness instructor for more than 13 years and a Nike trainer since 2012. But don't mistake him for a walking billboard for the Swoosh: He eats, sleeps and breathes the industry. An athlete all his life, Will decided to test his athleticism through CrossFit. He started doing CrossFit workouts on his own without a coach. He fell in love. The renowned trainer, who has taught at Orange Theory and Barry's Bootcamp, is now a coach at CrossFit SPOT in New York. He follows a well-balanced diet of 30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% clean fat – and pizza, you know, for cheat days.
In 2016, he was nominated by Healthy Living in the "Best in Healthy Living" category section of the Eighth Annual Shorty Awards for "The Best of Social Media". While he didn't win, the nomination is impressive given the amount of competition across social media platforms in the world of health and fitness.
Secret Weapon: "I'm a Nike trainer and ambassador so all you will find in my gym bag is Nike apparel," he says. "Favourite Nike shoe to train in? Nike Metcons."
Instagram: @willsworkout
Twitter: @WillsWorkout
davidkingsbury.co.uk
David Kingsbury
What do Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, and Ryan Reynolds have in common? Yes, their names all appear on that laminated list your partner keeps under her pillow, but that's not what we're thinking about.
Rather, it's the reason they all appear on most women's celebrities-it's-okay-to-sleep-with lists – and yes, that has something to do with what they look like shirtless.
All of these men were trained to blockbuster shape by David Kingsbury, a British trainer and former kickboxer who has become Hollywood's go-to guy for IMAX-ready abs. His gym is an action hero factory, forging Fassbender for Assassin's Creed and Hemsworth for Snow White and the Huntsman.
But it's Jackman who is arguably the greatest beneficiary of David's mix of HIIT, strength training and targeted nutrition. Comfortably into his 40s, the actor looked like, well, a mutant for The Wolverine and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
If that beast-like combo of muscle mass and sub-10% body fat is the reason you go to the gym, the good news is that you don't have to be an A-lister to get David in your corner. As well as an exclusive series of workouts for AskMen, he creates tailored training and nutrition plans that arrive directly into your inbox alongside instructional videos that tell you exactly what you should be doing.
We'll give the final word to Wolverine himself: "This guy is the best trainer I have ever worked with, you are in safe hands."
Fact: If your aim is a superhero body, Kingsbury recommends training in the low, 1-5 rep range to build up your strength before progressing to hypertrophy work around 8-12 reps.
Instagram: @teamkingsbury
Twitter: @DavidKingsbury
Facebook: David Kingsbury - Personal Training
ochosystem/Instagram
Joe Holder
After injuries sidelined him from playing American football, Joe Holder, founder of The Ocho System and a certified Nike trainer, decided to take control of his fitness and nutrition and adopt a more holistic healthy-living approach. He found the setback distracted him from his overall health. There was something missing. That's when The Ocho System (OS) was born. OS encompasses a food-as-fuel mindset and utilises positive thinking techniques alongside physical wellness programs and workouts.
Joe's main message is that you should be eating food for function. He advocates a plant-based diet. Alongside his weight-training program, Joe also uses meditation and yoga for the spiritual and physical benefits. He is a firm believer in combining the mind and body as one to live a long, healthy life. He believes many people could benefit from such a 360-degree lifestyle change.
And he doesn't just preach the process; he lives it. When he isn't training clients at S10 in New York or working with Nike, he is contributing to various publications, trying to educate the public and share the knowledge he has gained over the years to help people live better, healthier lives.
Fact: Joe played wide receiver at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his spot as a walk-on during his freshman year.
Instagram: @ochosystem
Twitter: @J_HolderOS
Zoonyzoozoodazoo / Flickr
The Brownlee Brothers
When Alistair Brownlee strolled over the finish line in Rio this summer (he could afford to – he was that far ahead) he didn't just claim a second triathlon gold medal. He cemented his place as one of the all-time greats in what has to be one of the world's most demanding sports.
That his brother Jonny (himself the sprint triathlon world champion), finished closely behind him in second is testament to the boys' intense training in the Yorkshire hills. Even if you're an amateur triathlete, the prep is hard because you are, after all, practising three different sports.
For the Brownlees, it's a full-time job, logging 35-40 training hours a week, split between the three disciplines. The mix short and long rides on the bike, hard and easy runs on the road to build speed and endurance in tandem. And given the number of calories they're burning, the eat *a lot* with energy gels and protein bars making up for the shortfall that cooked meals could possibly offer.
Fact: The Brownlees recommend eating two hours before a triathlon to give your body time to digest the food.
Alistair Twitter: @AliBrownleetri
Jonny Twitter: @jonny_brownlee
Facebook: The Brownlee Brothers
that1legmonster/Instagram
KC Mitchell
Californian strongman KC Mitchell can deadlift over 240kg and bench press more than 190kg. But those challenging lifts are nothing compared to what KC has been through in his life.
The powerlifter was in a severe combat accident while serving the United States military on a deployment mission in Afghanistan. His team's vehicle was struck by an IED. The accident left him with a brutally injured leg. It took nine days for him to be transferred to Washington D.C. to receive proper treatment – multiple emergency landings were made to ensure he remained stable.
KC had 38 surgeries before deciding to amputate his leg. Now he is known around the world as "that 1-leg monster," He is an internationally recognised fitness influencer, athlete and motivational speaker. His training philosophies embody a hardcore, gritty, brutal approach to strength building. What KC is able to do with one leg is one of the most amazing displays of strength, courage and willpower you will ever see in your life.
The athlete has embraced the challenge he was faced with. His type of strength is not defined by the amount of plates on the end of the barbell. KC is leading by example, inspiring not only combat-wounded veterans, but people around the world who are pushing themselves to become happier and healthier.
Fact: KC started a show on his YouTube channel called Road to Full Power, which gives an inside look at his life, training and rehabilitation as he lifts and competes in an open division against able-bodied athletes.
Instagram: @that1legmonster
Twitter: @that1legmonster
YouTube: That1legmonster
Courtesy of Colin O'Brady
Colin O'Brady
In 2008, an accident left Colin O'Brady with second- and third-degree burns on 22% of his body. Doctors told him he might never walk normally again. Now, the professional endurance athlete has set a world record completing the Explorer's Grand Slam – climbing all seven of the tallest peaks on the seven continents – in 139 days.
For a whole year after his accident, Colin focused on rehab and regaining his range of motion. He set a goal for himself: to finish a triathlon and prove his doctors wrong. He surpassed his goal by finishing first in his age group at the 2009 Chicago Triathlon. Soon after, he earned a spot on Team USA at the 2010 triathlon world championships in Budapest. Since his accident, he has represented the United States in triathlon competitions in 22 countries.
Colin uses his knowledge and passion to contribute to the community. The athlete has partnered with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation organisation, which raises awareness for childhood obesity.
Secret Weapon: "My Nalgene water bottle because hydration is the key to overall health and performance, especially in the mountains, and my Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer jacket," he says. "It's the most versatile piece of apparel I own. I've used it on the summit of Antarctica's Mount Vinson in -70 degree windchill, but I also wear it on pleasant days while training in the Cascade mountains."
Nalgene 1-litre bottle, £6.30 at Amazon
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket, £250 at Amazon
Instagram: @beyond_72
Twitter: @Colinobrady
Facebook: Beyond 7/2
Kurt Yaeger/Facebook
Kurt Yaeger
Kurt Yaeger is a former BMX rider who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. The below-the-knee amputation of his left leg may have taken his BMX away from him, but he focused his energy on acting and immediately excelled.
Although the accident that required him to undergo more than 20 surgeries to repair a broken pelvis, fractured spine and ruptured bladder was caused by a motorcycle, the California-born actor did not let the accident hold him back from living one of his true passions. He still rides motorcycles to this day. In fact, he's best known for playing Greg the Peg on the FX hit series Sons of Anarchy. After his accident, Kurt rehabilitated himself to build back the strength and mobility needed to perform at a high level. He still enjoys training outdoors with a lot of bodyweight calisthenics exercises – and he does plan to ride his BMX again.
His success in acting has led him to directing and writing films. He has accumulated executive producer credits in addition to being a part of an award-winning TV drama that many consider to be one of the best shows of all time. In 2016, he was featured in the US version of Shameless and he is busy working on two projects for 2017 – a film and a TV series.
Fact: Kurt recently landed a recurring role on CBS's season 8 of NCIS: Los Angeles.
Instagram: @kurtyaeger
Twitter: @kurtyaeger
Facebook: Kurt Yaeger
Courtesy of Kenny Santucci
Kenny Santucci
Yes, Kenny Santucci is that guy from MTV. The one from the Real World/Road Rules Challenge franchise. And the host of AskMen's You're Doing It Wrong fitness series. But that's not all. Kenny is a renowned trainer at CrossFit Solace in New York and the creator of the Body by Solace fitness program. His athletic experience and training style includes specialisations in triathlons, CrossFit and Ironman competitions. Ironically, this Ironman athlete was once referred to as "the cupcake kid" because of his poor health habits and unhealthy lifestyle.
"I'm a WOD (workout of the day) whore," Kenny says. "Love to jump in workouts at the gym. I'm a CrossFit guy. I've been doing it for five years. I like the idea of training with a purpose, to be a better version of myself both as a coach and an athlete."
Those cupcake kid days are long gone. Kenny is widely known for his appearances on MTV, VH1 and TLC. He's an accomplished fitness and fashion model and his athletic accolades have earned him sponsorship opportunities with brands such as Zico Coconut Water and Reebok. He has training certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, specialising in kettlebell training, pre/post natal training and a host of other CrossFit and TRX qualifications.
Secret Weapons: "Give me a pair of Reebok Nanos, an Rx jump rope, a Power Monkey TheraBand, a SlingShot Hip Circle and a cup of coffee and I'm solid."
Rx Jump Rope, £25 at WIT Fitness
TheraBand, £10.99 at Amazon
Slingshot Hip Circle, £17.99 at Amazon
Instagram: @kennysantucci
Twitter: @KennySantucci
Chase Armitage
Do you know what your Instagram feed is missing? A man who holds the world record for the farthest backflip over a moving car. That man's name is Chase Armitage, a parkour athlete, stuntman, former martial arts champion and all-round general badass.
Armitage has been free-running for 15 years and is one of the sport's pioneers in the UK and internationally. He competes as part of a parkour team known as 3RUN, completing moves that seem to defy logic, gravity and - sometimes - death itself.
His acrobatic skills are much in demand - he has completed stunts on films including the Harry Potter franchise and Pirates of the Caribbean. And he appears regularly in commercial videos that rack up millions of views on YouTube.
Unsurprisingly, his core strength and general mobility are world-class and he mixes his training between gym work and targeted parkour practice on bars he has attached to the side of his house.
"I literally love everything I do," he says. "I have never even considered it as work, it's my passion."
Fact: Armitage has completed the course on ITV's Ninja Warrior.
Instagram: @chase_armitage
Twitter: @chase_armitage
Facebook: Student of Movement
Eddie Hall
Why is Eddie Hall in the Flex 50? The man deadlifted half a ton earlier this year. Once again, HALF A TON. That's the equivalent of a grizzly bear or a grand piano or a bag of 150 bricks. He's earned his place in the top 50 men in fitness – an then some. And not only is a half ton deadlift obscenely heavy but it's also never been done before, making Eddie the best at deadlifiting in the world. Oh and, by the way, he strained so hard to lift the weight in the first place that he burst all the bloodvessels in his face. That's hardcore.
Eddie has a background in being strong, having previously been crowned the UK's and England's strongest man on multiple occasions in the past. Yes, he's one of those World's Strongest Man competitors with enough muscle packed on to give the Mountain a run for his money. His nickname is 'The Beast' and when Eddie gets into #beastmode in the gym we suggest you vacate the premises.
As his recent Workout of the Week here on AskMen showed, he isn't joking about training hard either. "My workouts are based on very heavy fast movements using weights," Eddie says. "The science behind it being that the faster you move a weight the more fast twitch fibres you rip and then repair.
"This ensures that your muscles are bigger and stronger on return to your next session. It's like the good old saying goes, 'speed kills'."
Yes, Eddie, that saying really makes us want to destroy our quads. Cheers.
Secret Weapon: A 12,000 calorie-a-day diet. In an interview with the Daily Mail Eddie said, "It's actually like a normal diet, I eat porridge with fruits for breakfast. But when everyone else is having a bowl, I'll have a bucket. I just multiply the proportions, so these are huge amounts of food."
Instagram: @eddie_hall_strong
Twitter: @eddiehallWSM
Facebook: Eddie Hall
Jay Maryniak/Facebook
Jay Maryniak
Jay Maryniak is not one to let obstacles stand in the way of his athletic pursuits.
As a young man, the New York-based CrossFit athlete and trainer struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism. Fortunately, discovering a passion for fitness helped him get clean. Jay initially trained to become a muay Thai fighter. But he discovered CrossFit while prepping for a fight and fell in love. However, in March 2013, Jay was hospitalised and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Despite the diagnosis, he continued to dominate his sport, holding an impressive 250kg deadlift and 125kg power clean personal record.
But even though he can lift impressive loads, Jay's speciality is bodyweight training. He creates well-rounded programs that include lifting, aerobic exercises, boxing and kickboxing for his clients. What does he eat to maintain his ripped physique? Jay likes to stick to mostly lean meats and vegetables, with some fruits and starch thrown in the mix. Every once in a while, he enjoys a cheat meal of pizza.
You can keep up with him on Instagram, where he regularly shares training videos with his 140,000 and so followers.
Secret Weapon: Rise Above Tahiti T-Shirt
Rise Above Men's Tahiti Blue Tri-Blend T-Shirt, $20.00 (approx £15) at TalesOfReese.com
Instagram: @jtm_fit
Facebook: Jtm_fit
Say hello to the current IBF heavyweight champion boxer and previous British, Commonwealth and WBC international heavyweight champ. The man also won Olympic gold in the super-heavyweight boxing class at the 2012 Olympics and boasts a 100% knockout ratio. The man widely expected to unify the heavyweight division.
Anthony Joshua is clearly a force to be reckoned with. He's only the second ever boxer (after Joe Frazier) to win a world heavyweight title whilst also still being Olympic champion at the same time, in the same weight. And at 6ft 6 in, Anthony is a lump of lean muscle and agile power. These winning attributes, along with his 1M+ followers on social, make him part of the influential Flex50.
As part of his training, Joshua regularly smashes a 13-hour day, starting at 6.30am – with running, stretching and three gym sessions forming the bulk – and finishing at 8pm. And, by the way, that's fasted training on an empty stomach at 6.30am, not a leisurely wake-up.
Bizarrely, part of Anthony's training involves hanging off the edge of the ropes (in the ring) with a weight dangling off his head to improve 'neck strength'. Apparently doing this strengthens the muscle in your neck and traps so you can take a punch better. Solid if you ask us.
He'll much down a whole chicken after a hard day in the gym, too – apparently you not only train like a beast but eat like one if you want to be a boxing world champ.
Fact: Undefeated in his pro career, Anthony has 17 KOs from 17 bouts. The man is unstoppable.
Twitter: @AnthonyfJoshua
Instagram: @anthony_joshua
Facebook: Anthony Joshua
Courtesy of Tony Horton
Tony Horton
Few people have had a bigger impact on the fitness world than Tony Horton. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know about P90X – Tony's super successful home fitness system, a 90-day body transformation program. The Beachbody product and its spin-offs have sold nearly five million copies to date.
Tony has worked with athletes, movie stars, members of congress, and military corps. His latest program, 22-Minute Hard Corps, is a high-intensity workout that promises to whip you in "boot camp shape."
However, Tony wasn't always a great athlete himself. Originally from Connecticut, he moved to L.A. with the intention of becoming an actor. He took odd jobs to make ends meet – and also experimented with his training program to build a coveted physique. His impressive transformation and training methods started garnering the attention of the right crowd – he trained Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.
Since appearing on infomercials to sell his signature fitness program and rising to fame, Tony has written regular columns for fitness magazines and appears often on TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic. He is the author of three best-selling books: Bring It!, Crush It! and The Big Picture: 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life.
The famous trainer practices what he preaches: He trains six to seven days a week, doing a mix of bodyweight training, conventional lifting, plyometrics, cardio, and yoga. He maintains his six-pack by focusing on eating whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding sugar and dairy. And he makes sure to get plenty of sleep for optimal recovery: six or seven hours on bad nights and eight to nine hours on good ones.
Secret Weapon: "All of my 'On Cloud' training/running shoes," he says.
On Cloudster, £77.91 at Amazon
Instagram: @tonyshorton
Twitter: @Tony_Horton
Facebook: Tony Horton
Shaun T Fitness
Shaun T Blokker
Fitness guru Shaun T believes you should be working to improve your inner self as much as your outer self. On his podcast, Trust and Believe With Shaun T, he encourages people to reflect and find their true motivation in life. So it makes sense that his passion for fitness and dance helped launch his successful career.
The creator of the hugely popular Beachbody programs Hip Hop Abs and Insanity entered the world of health and fitness as a personal trainer – he holds a bachelor's degree in sports science. He then started working as a health program manager at a pharmaceutical company, a stepping-stone to the world of commercial fitness.
But Shaun T's dancing skills also lead him to work in entertainment for a while. He performed in musicals such as The Ten Commandments and landed film and TV roles in Six Feet Under, Beauty Shop and Tyler Perry's House of Payne. All the pieces to his success story came together in 2003, when he partnered with Beachbody to release Hip Hop Abs, a dance-based home fitness program.
This led to the creation of other programs, including Insanity (one of the best-selling of all time) and its spin-off, Insanity Max:30. In 2015, Beachbody released Shaun's latest dance workout, Cize.
Some of Shaun's tips for nutritional success include fuelling up on healthy carbs, stocking up on easy-to-cook proteins, staying hydrated, keeping energising snacks around, and eating lots of leafy greens. He lives in Arizona with his husband, Scott Blokker.
Fact: If you catch Shaun T on a rare cheat day, you might find him chowing down on a Philly cheese steak.
Instagram: @shauntfitness
Twitter: @shauntfitness
Facebook: Shaun T
Shaun Stafford
Shaun Stafford is an international fitness cover model, WBFF European and World Fitness Champion (2012 & Worlds 2014) and sponsored athlete. You've probably seen him on the front of newsstand magazines and right here on AskMen too – Shaun is one of our fitness writers. He's director of his London-based gym City Athletic, training urban types and pro athletes alike, and has become one of the most influential trainers in London.
Shaun trains 5-6 times a week and clearly looks after his diet but, surprisingly, isn't shredded all-year round (although Google images will tell you otherwise), "I prep for 3 months of the year. De-prep for 3 months. Prep for another 3 months. Then de-prep again. What this means is I'm never too far away from being shredded and photo-shoot lean. But in reality I'm only shredded for say 2 months of the year and in that time I take a million photos.
"So off-season I'm 88kg and maybe just over 10% body fat. When I've a competition I'm down to 83kg less than 5% body fat."
10% body fat is his off-season?! Well, for that reason and the pure fact he can achieve sub-5% body fat (not many men can), Shaun deserves a place on this list. You can check out some of his bodybuilding/strength training principles over on his Instagram, which 106k other people find regularly awesome.
Fact: Shaun's motto is: "There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going."
Instagram: @shaunstafford
Twitter: @shaunstafford
Facebook: Shaun Stafford
Thanks to his fun and accessible approach to health and fitness, Adam Rosante has quickly become one of the most popular trainers in America.
Adam started working out when he was only 13. Even though he loved training, he never saw it as a potential career. However, more and more people started asking him for fitness tips, prompting him to turn his hobby into a side business. This led Adam to create The People's Bootcamp in New York City, a high-intensity interval training class offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. This move garnered him a lot of attention and helped skyrocket his fitness career. Target asked him to be the ambassador of its popular C9 fitness apparel brand. Hearst Digital Studios hired Adam to star on the CosmoBody channel.
In 2015, Adam released his first book, The 30 Second Body: Eat Clean, Train Dirty & Live Hard, a six-week fitness, diet and lifestyle plan. The trainer designs his workouts in a way that makes them appropriate for pro athletes and exercise beginners alike – challenging yet scalable.
His healthy living tips include drinking lots of water, eating lots of unprocessed foods and performing super challenging workouts five times a week.
Fact: Adam once told the Chicago Tribune that he has no guilty pleasures – just pleasures. He doesn't believe in deprivation.
Instagram: @adamrosante
Twitter: @AdamRosante
Facebook: Adam Rosante
Courtesy of Patrick Beach
Patrick Beach
Think yoga and Patrick Beach's name is one that likely comes to mind. Patrick's initial foray into the practice came when he started practising poses his mother learned in yoga class – on the kitchen floor.
Since then, he has played an instrumental role in leading the yoga movement for men. Men's general participation in yoga has skyrocketed in the past few years. Part of this is due to the work of male yogis (women are actually called "yoginis") such as Patrick.
Patrick is working to challenge common stereotypes about yoga – the idea that yoga is not physically challenging enough or that people who lack flexibility shouldn't practice it, for example. He specialises in teaching vigorous vinyasa classes – a type of practice that focuses on coordinating movement and breath and flowing from one pose to the next. His classes are a fluid mix of longer holds and crafty flows that forge a deep mind-body connection.
Outside of yoga, Patrick loves the NBA, comics, adventures, and taking on creative projects with friends.
Secret Weapon: "I created my own clothing line called BLNCX and I rock those pieces all the time."
BLNCX Prime Pants, $90.00 (approx £70) at BLNCX.com
Instagram: @patrickbeach
Twitter: @patrickcbeach
Facebook: Patrick & Carling Yoga
Photo courtesy of Michael Morelli
Michael Morelli Jr.
"Do your best, every day. Nothing more, and nothing less – just your best," says Michael Morelli of his life philosophy.
Michael is the founder of Morellifit, an online business and community where people looking to get fit can find advice, training programs, meal plans, supplements and more.
Michael's path to becoming a successful fitness entrepreneur was an unconventional one. He dropped out of university in the US to run a retail business. And even though his business was thriving, the stress and long hours began to take a toll on him. He started using drugs and alcohol to cope, nearly ruining his life in the process.
Through hard work and a positive attitude, Michael was able to pull himself out of that dark place. He rededicated himself to being fit and healthy and started a YouTube channel to document his journey and help others in the process. He sought out to learn everything he could about health and fitness, earning five different certifications in six months – a testament to his strength of character. In May 2014, Michael created his first product, HIIT Max – his signature spin on high-intensity functional training.
Since then, he has helped over 200,000 people through his products and services. He and his team of coaches and nutritionists work daily to deliver programs and plans to clients. Next spring, Michael's new book on carb cycling, The Sweet Potato Diet, will be released. Michael is also taking the HIIT Max brand to the next level, hosting live events, offering certifications and introducing an app.
The fitness influencer has also created an all-natural supplement line called Morelli Nutrition.
When it comes to nutrition, Michael believes in following a few key principles such as getting adequate amounts of protein and water, eating whole foods, being consistent with meal frequency, and removing problem foods. And he likes to enjoy the occasional reward meal or glass of red wine.
Secret Weapon: "My Morellifit tee and our soon-to-be-released foam roller."
Morellifit T-Shirt, $24.00 (approx £18) at Morelllifit.com
Instagram: @morellifit
Twitter: @morellifit
Facebook: Morellifit
YouTube: morellifit
theyogimatt/Instagram
Matt Giordano
The rising popularity of Acroyoga, a blend of yoga and acrobatics, can be attributed to yogis and social media influencers like Matt Giordano.
Matt travels the world to teach his signature style of yoga. His teaching methods are influenced by martial arts – aikido and taekwondo – and he also draws wisdom from his study of biomechanics and mind-body techniques.
The American, who calls himself "the yogi Matt," spent seven years developing his yoga teachings in Manhattan, where he taught at local studios. Matt credits an influential figure from his teenage years – his high school arts teacher – for sparking him with the curiosity and tenacity that led him to becoming an accomplished yoga practitioner. She encouraged him to believe anything was possible if he desired it.
One of his most recent projects is a handstand training series featuring the 10 most effective strength training drills for progressing to a handstand.
Fact: Matt began studying martial arts at age 7 and incorporates elements into his yoga classes.
Instagram: @theyogimatt
Twitter: @TheYogiMatt
Facebook: Matt Giordano
frank_medrano/Instagram
Frank Medrano
Have you seen those crazy videos of guys contorting themselves at a neighbourhood park? Frank Medrano is one of those guys. He's a calisthenics (bodyweight training) expert with a hugely popular YouTube channel (one of his videos has over 35 million views).
He came across his talent rather by accident, jumping onto a pull-up bar and discovering how liberating it felt to pull himself up. After the initial excitement, Frank said the true benefits of this type of training carried over in his day-to-day life.
His mantra, "your body is a gym," seems to resonate with his over 700,000 Instagram followers and 4.7 million Facebook fans. He regularly shares fitness tips and workout videos on his social accounts.
And if you're wondering how Frank manages to maintain his ripped physique (he has around five percent body fat), you should know he is a vegan who often cooks with quinoa, beans, broccoli, and spinach.
Secret Weapon: Frank fuels up with complex carbohydrates such as lentils and yams.
Instagram: @frank_medrano
Twitter: @FrankMedranoFit
Facebook: Frank Medrano
progressive_calisthenics/Instagram
Kenneth Gallarzo
As head coach and co-founder of the World Calisthenics Organization, Kenneth's current focus is spreading the word about the calisthenics movement.
Kenneth travels the world to host workshops and competitions, including the Battle of the Bars international calisthenics competition. And whether he is helping the best street workout athletes get recognition or sharing fitness tips with his thousands of followers, he shows people that calisthenics can be done anywhere, by anyone. If you're not convinced, just check his home calisthenics tutorial.
Kenneth shared some of his healthy living tips in an interview on TheFinestInFitness.com. The athlete supplements his back-to-basics training approach with an equally simple diet full of whole foods such as lean meats, veggies, fruits, rice, and beans.
Fun Fact: Kenneth's WCO hosts the Battle of the Bars, the first calisthenics competition of its kind.
Instagram: @progressive_calisthenics
YouTube: Kenneth Gallarzo
Cory Richards
Adrian Ballinger
Having already topped Everest six times, Adrian Ballinger joined photojournalist Cory Richards and Snapchatted their way up Earth's highest peak. To give you an idea how treacherous it is to climb Everest, Adrian and Cory attempted to scale Everest without supplemental oxygen. Adrian was forced to turn back on this attempt after already scaling 27,000 feet. He was literally freezing to death. Nonetheless, the stunt gained global attention as Adrian and Corey where able to give an unfiltered view of how challenging a 29,000-foot expedition can be.
Adrian is one of America's premiere high-altitude ski mountaineers and mountain guides. He is the first American to ski two different 8,000-meter peaks and has also skied down from the Manaslu summit in Nepal. The founder of Alpenglow Expeditions, he has been a full-time guide for more than 20 years. His training combines loads of cardio, including mountain trail running in the summer and backcountry skiing in the winter and, of course, "as much rock climbing as I can fit in."
For food, Adrian goes heavy on carbs when he's on expedition but his normal meals focus on raw, fresh vegetables and lean meats. "I love and crave food," Adrian says, "and my metabolism and lifestyle demands constant calorie intake."
Secret Weapon: "Eddie Bauer Ignitelite Flux 60 – a light, puffy hooded jacket that goes everywhere with me. It's my outer jacket on cool nights rock climbing, an inner insulating layer when riding lifts skiing at Squaw and my pillow when I'm travelling on overnight buses and long flights," he says.
Instagram: @adrianballinger
Twitter: @alpenglowexp
Facebook: Adrian Ballinger


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Sarah Enloe
Around the Globe (And Blackfriars): February
We envisioned the Around the Globe section bringing you tales of the wonder of Shakespeare's impact everywhere, whether through the work of theatre companies or connections to science (link to December's), but this month, we are thinking about those who lack access and find that our eyes are drawn closer to home. As a country–and right now, in Virginia, my adopted state–we have a long way to go to heal from the effects of our relationship to slavery. Our founders chose to maintain an institution that dehumanized millions of people, and that choice continues to impact our relationships today.
Coincidentally, in the education department this week, we started a journey. Because we have been asked to facilitate a workshop on diversity this summer through our leadership program, we formally met as a team to converse about what the words "diversity, equity, and inclusion" mean to us. On stage at the Blackfriars right now, we have a beautiful telling of Henry IV, Part 1 with what we believe to be the first African-American Hal and Hotspur ever playing the lead roles, and they have already said that they would be a part of our new program–we are both immensely grateful and joyful that we will be joined by these knowledgeable and talented folks.
You see, our Staunton leadership team is made up of two white men and three white women*, and we have a lot of learning to do. We dove in with a film, Cracking the Codes, which, helpfully, came with a conversation guide. The film is intense: it brought tears, recognition, discussion. Because it was so compelling, Liz (our Education Group Sales Associate–and the only person of color in our department) and Lia (College Prep Programs Manager) joined in. We all sat around the glow of the screen and, as a group, began the journey of self-realization and acknowledgement of the systematic and structural racism that governs our culture.
As we watched and discussed the stories we were hearing and seeing, we began to see the connections with Shakespeare. Many folks' minds would immediately leap to Othello as the Shakespeare play that is about race, but I think first of the play The Merchant of Venice. Like Donna Denizé, in her article in Shakespeare Set Free: Teaching Twelfth Night and Othello, I see this play as forecasting our current struggles with race. The hypocrisy of so many characters in that play–and the very troubling contradictions they present–is incredibly unsettling. Yet, 400 years ago, Shakespeare wrote the following words for Morocco, a black character, to deliver:
Mislike me not for my complexion…
Bring me the fairest creature northward born…
And let us make incision for your love,
To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.
I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine
Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love I swear
The best-regarded virgins of our clime
Have loved it too: I would not change this hue,
Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
He seems to know that the human race is the only race–something the film emphasizes too–we are all the same down to the last 1/100th of our genes. This brave, compelling character faces a woman who, moments earlier, bemoaned the advances of any person of color saying, "if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me." Likely written 8 years before Othello, The Merchant of Venice deeply wrestles with bias in the same ways we continue to today–one could easily insert swastikas and hoods into a production based solely on the views expressed by too many of the characters.
Othello, on the other hand, presents racism in another key. As Denizé brilliantly points out in the article (written in 1995, or nearly 20 years ago) mentioned above, the story of Othello is one of nationalism. Featuring Cassio the Florentine, Othello the Turk, and war in Venice, Iago finds a situation ripe for sowing distrust. And he uses the same tools we see deployed too often today. The Venetians must protect their state at all costs. Nationalism is the way Iago foments hatred–in his Iago-ish ways, without saying anything directly (except to Roderigo and Brabantio) but pushing and pulling the bigotry out of the characters–even the self-loathing that leads the title character to the dreadful ending events.
In a confluence of conversation, Aubrey found herself at a re-scheduled event in DC this past week, American Moor. There, she heard the moving words of Keith Hamilton Cobb as he works through the meaning of Othello to a black actor. She enthusiastically brought the experience back to us and helped us all to see what a box theatres put themselves in when the only roles people of color are offered are the ones above. I see and hear from my adult friends and from students at our matinees what a difference seeing themselves on the stage in a variety of roles makes to their self-confidence, their self-realization, their possibilities. That is why I am so excited by the array of talent Blackfriars is at pains to hire, and why I joy in the possibility for introducing more opportunities for conversations about the importance of seeing and hearing the words of Shakespeare from as many types of people as we possibly can. Shakespeare's stage, as we think of it here at the ASC, is liberating. He doesn't tell us that Orlando is white, nor that the Princess in Love's Labour's Lost isn't. His facility with language and description is enriched when a variety of people share the stage, and conversations begin and continue, opening up the chance for new ways of thinking. If there is one thing I have learned from our journey's first steps, it is that new ways of thinking and conversation are the way we will come to terms with the history we inherited. And Shakespeare seems to have both written some pretty good conversations and some good conversation starters. I, for one, look forward to finding more ways to talk about–and do what we can to speak up for– justice and equity as we continue down this path.
*Our full leadership team features more diversity, but many are based in New York.
Sarah Enloe is the ASC's director of education.
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