Take That frontman Gary Barlow is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares for the band's highly anticipated return to the stage. The 54-year-old singer has embarked on an intensive health and fitness journey, documented on social media, ahead of the group's 2026 Circus Live Tour revival across the UK and Ireland.
Luxury Clinic Overhaul for Stadium Spectacle
Barlow has been putting in the work at the exclusive Lanserhof at The Arts Club, a luxury wellness clinic where annual memberships command a hefty price tag. He shared insights into his rigorous routine via Instagram Stories, showing his dedication to getting into peak condition for the high-energy performances. "The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band," the band previously stated, expressing their excitement to bring the show back "bigger and bolder" after 17 years.
Inside Gary's Rigorous Prep: VO2 Max and Spine Checks
The singer's regimen is comprehensive and scientifically tracked. One image showed Barlow wearing a VO2 max mask while jogging on a treadmill, monitoring his aerobic capacity. Another post, captioned "6 months to go to the Circus Tour" with relevant emojis, highlighted his running progress.
His commitment extends beyond cardio. Barlow shared a photo from a blood test with the motto "No pain no gain," and another where he tested his leg muscle strength on a specialised Biodex machine. He even posted the results of a spine lab assessment, humorously noting he was "Still in one piece." A shirtless workout photo prompted him to admit he was excited to tackle the show again, despite being 16 years younger during the original 2009 run.
The Record-Breaking Tour Returns
The original Circus Live Tour in 2009 made history as the fastest-selling tour ever at the time, with over 600,000 tickets sold in under five hours. The 2026 revival will feature Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, with Jason Orange not participating following his 2014 departure from the band.
The tour kicks off in Southampton on 29 May 2026, visiting Coventry, Sunderland, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, and London. The band has confirmed a new album—their tenth—is in the works for release later in 2026. The Script and Belinda Carlisle will return as special guests for the UK shows.
Barlow's focus on fitness marks a significant personal commitment. He has openly discussed past struggles with his weight and mental health following the band's initial split. His current transformation underscores the sheer physical demand of the upcoming spectacle, which famously featured fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, and a giant mechanical elephant.
