Shouting in the gym – annoying or essential?
I don’t really shout, but today I was making these terrible noises – it was getting quite embarrassing. Shouting is a bit over the top – you get the odd guy who’s trying to break a world record or something, and they’re like “AAH F**K!” If you’re going to shout something, try and make it clean and PG, you know?
What’s your most impressive personal best?
I did a six-pack challenge for a fitness magazine – it was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I broke up with my girlfriend four times – I lost about a stone and a half in about six to eight weeks. If you look online you can see the before and after photos – I was really impressed, it was worth it.
Which excuse for not going to the gym/working out are you most ashamed of?
Just being damn lazy. I try to be as brutal as I can in the gym – I do a lot of HIIT training. So sometimes I’m just like “You know what? I can’t be arsed today”. I make up for it though; if I forfeit, I always punish myself the next time.
Have you ever secretly impressed yourself with a feat of strength?
I try to stay away from free weights, because I get too big, but I remember I was doing the bench press once – I had 60kg on each side and I managed to do a couple of reps. I was just like “Wow, I didn’t even realise I was that strong”. I was well chuffed with that.
Who in the grime scene is the strongest?
I’d probably say Solo 45, part of Boy Better Know – he’s pretty big. He looks a bit like a monster – his biceps are probably the same size as my thighs. I’m pretty strong myself, I must admit, but I’d be happy to pass the baton to Solo; he might just take it.
What piece of gym equipment can’t you live without?
I like a pull-up now and then – I like the random ones. Anything that’s above my head, I think “Can it hold my weight?” and I just jump up, do a pull-up and keep it moving. So a pull-up bar is quite essential.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Fried chicken. That’s the devil for me. I’m thinking about it now – two pieces of chicken and chips. If I had to have a last meal, it would be that…
Have you ever bought a piece of exercise equipment but never used it?
I’ve got one of those ab wheels, I don’t think I’ve ever used it. I also bought a gym mat to go with it, but I haven’t used that either. They’re the only two things, but I should use them because they’re really good for the home. My house is pretty big, and when I moved in all my boys were like “Build a gym!” but I was like “I won’t get anything done”. That’s why I’ve got a gym membership, because at least if I go out, I’m definitely going to work out.
What’s the longest you’ve gone without alcohol in the name of good health?
I gave up alcohol last summer for a month – I picked the wrong time because I was doing loads of gigs and normally I have a drink before I go on stage. It was a bit annoying because I was always the sober kid when everyone else was drunk, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I felt amazing afterwards – I think I might even do it again, it was the detox I needed, because when you’re doing gigs six nights a week, you don’t realise how much alcohol you’re consuming.
Who’s your fitness idol?
After I did my six-pack challenge, I really respect anyone with a six-pack, because I know how hard it is to maintain. In fact, I just admire anyone who keeps in shape and has their body in decent order, because it’s hard work.
If you could look like Arnie in his prime tomorrow, would you?
I don’t think I would. Purely because if I was going ham [that’s “Hard As a Motherf***ker, gramps] in the gym and doing weights, the way my body type is, I could be a big lump if I wanted. I’m more about being ripped, trim and a decent size – I think Arnie is a bit too muscular for me, too much like Hercules. I like to be able to move my neck without having to move my shoulders…
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