Comedian and television presenter Paddy McGuinness has shared advice with fans after completing the controversial 75 Hard fitness challenge, which left him with a sculpted six-pack. The 52-year-old, who previously embraced a 'dad bod', said he 'smashed himself to pieces' during the first two weeks but urged others not to overexert themselves at the start.
The 75 Hard programme, created in 2019 by American entrepreneur Andy Frisella, requires participants to follow a strict regimen for 75 days: two 45-minute workouts daily (one outdoors), a clean diet with no cheat days, drinking 3.79 litres of water per day, reading 10 pages of a non-fiction book, and taking daily progress photos. Failure to adhere to any rule means starting again from day one. Critics have warned the method risks burnout and injury.
Appearing on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show, McGuinness said, 'The best advice if you're doing a challenge like that is, don't do too much straight away.' He admitted he struggled initially: 'I literally couldn't get out of bed, my limbs were aching.' He later adjusted his approach, noting that indoor workouts could include yoga and outdoor sessions a hike.
The Bolton native said he embarked on the challenge out of boredom, motivated by his previous Children In Need cycle ride that raised £9 million. 'I thought, I'd love to do something again, really out of my comfort zone,' he explained. The programme also required him to abandon a two-month habit of cakes, biscuits and beer, which he said had left him shocked at how much he had let himself go.
Sharing before-and-after images on social media, McGuinness described the results as 'amazing' and said, 'It really is incredible what can be achieved in a short period of time… if you've got the willpower.' He added that even those with minimal willpower should 'give something a whirl.'
