Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez has revealed the surprising foundation of his relationship with actress Gemma Atkinson, moving beyond his renowned physical appearance to highlight their shared dedication to health and fitness.
The Gym Connection That Sparked Romance
While many assume Marquez's chiselled physique first attracted Atkinson when she joined Strictly in 2017, the Spanish dancer insists their connection runs much deeper. The 35-year-old told Men's Health UK that their romance actually blossomed during the show's subsequent UK tour through mutual early morning gym sessions.
"We were both so into health and fitness," Marquez explained in the December issue. "When we were doing shows, I'd go into the hotel gym first thing in the morning and she would be the only other one in there. We used to chat, run on the same treadmill and so on."
This shared routine quickly developed into something more meaningful. "So we developed a bond. I fancied her. Then I learned she fancied me, too. And soon we were spending everyday together. But she made me work hard," the Bilbao-born dancer admitted.
Parenting Motivates Long-Term Health Goals
Now parents to six-year-old daughter Mia and two-year-old son Thiago, the couple's fitness focus has evolved beyond aesthetics. Marquez emphasised that their commitment to exercise is now driven by desires for longevity and family wellbeing.
"We love it. We are both aligned," he said. "It's not just for aesthetics, it's for longevity and health. We want to stretch life as long as possible and be healthy, too. We want to keep playing with our children."
Dance Discipline Meets CrossFit Passion
Marquez credits his impressive physique to both his professional dance background and his relatively new passion for CrossFit. He believes the two disciplines share significant similarities that make them complementary.
"Dancers have beautiful muscles, but they're long," he explained. "It's because we train with the full range of motion. I spend lots of time in the gym but I also spend lots of time moving and stretching so the muscles will be more useful."
The Spanish dancer now combines his choreography with CrossFit, a high-intensity training programme incorporating weight lifting, powerlifting, gymnastics and calisthenics. "It's got so much in common with CrossFit. That's why, when I started CrossFit, I loved it – very similar. Short workouts, multiple events throughout the day," Marquez revealed.
Despite his fitness dedication, Marquez maintains a practical perspective on exercise. "Some people train for pure aesthetics. But your muscles are really there for your strength, for your health. The aesthetics are the consequence of this."
The full interview appears in the December issue of Men's Health UK, available from November 25th.
