Ed Sheeran has unveiled his body transformation after years of feeling “gross”, showing off a six-pack and biceps in the December issue of Men’s Health UK. The 34-year-old singer said he adopted a “really gentle” approach to fitness, primarily through Reformer Pilates, to become a more “responsible dad” and feel better on stage.
Sheeran, who has two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter, with wife Cherry Seaborn, admitted that his partying lifestyle from age 20 to 30 took a toll on his health. “I always felt like s**t within myself; I’d wake up and look in the mirror and just feel gross,” he said. The birth of his first child prompted a change: “I want to be able to do the night stuff… I didn’t want to pick my kid up and have my back f**ked.”
He credited Reformer Pilates as a low-intensity workout that anyone can start. “It’s a really gentle introduction to [fitness],” he said. Sheeran also overhauled his diet, moving away from “pizza-eating, beer-guzzling” habits to a focus on moderation, though he still enjoys red wine and nice meals occasionally.
The singer revealed that friend Stormzy’s pre-show routine inspired him. “I went to play with him in 2021 and he was doing a hundred press-ups before he went on stage,” Sheeran recalled. He now aims to “feel superhuman on stage” and has embraced running, completing his first 10K during Covid.
Sheeran emphasised that his transformation is about balance, not extremes. “I’m not saying we all need to run marathons… It’s all about moderation,” he said. The full interview appears in Men’s Health UK, on sale from December 23.
