Harry Styles' Stunning Berlin Marathon Performance
Harry Styles' remarkable achievement at the 2025 Berlin Marathon left fans in awe, as the singer completed the race in an impressive time of 2:59:13. This sub-three-hour finish, achieved under the pseudonym Sted Sarandos, represented a significant improvement from his previous personal best of 3:24:07 at the Tokyo Marathon just six months earlier. Averaging approximately 4 minutes and 15 seconds per kilometre over the 42.195-kilometre course, Styles demonstrated exceptional endurance and speed.
The Training Regimen Behind the Success
To understand the foundation of Styles' athletic prowess, I embarked on a challenging journey by attempting one of his daily training sessions, guided by insights from his former trainer, Thibo David. David, a former special forces soldier and founder of Executive Peak Performance, worked with Styles from 2018 to 2021 to prepare him for the Love On Tour shows. He revealed that Styles' fitness levels are no accident, built through years of dedicated and varied exercise routines.
David emphasised that Styles' training was not solely about max-effort sessions. The regimen included recovery days focused on assisted stretching, massage gun therapy, and ice baths, which Styles particularly enjoyed. Mobility work and boxing were also incorporated based on his schedule and preferences, ensuring a balanced approach to fitness.
A Sample Studio Session: Gruelling and Demanding
One of the most intense aspects of Styles' training involved studio sessions with David, which I attempted to replicate. These sessions typically began with a 20 to 30-minute easy-paced run to warm up the legs and oxygenate the body. This was followed by a challenging set of 100 press-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats, all to be completed within eight minutes.
Next, a one-mile time trial pushed the limits, with David noting that Styles' personal best of 5 minutes and 13 seconds placed him just behind elite athletes like Premier League footballer Granit Xhaka on his leaderboard. Strength work followed, focusing on dumbbells and kettlebells to minimise injury risk, with exercises such as one-legged squats and lunges to improve balance and core stability.
The conditioning phase consisted of four rounds of intense four-minute efforts, inspired by David's background in professional fighting, designed to boost VO2 max. The session concluded with 10 minutes of core exercises, including leg raises and planks, and a cool-down involving a slow run, walk, and stretching to aid recovery.
Building a Foundation: Patience and Enjoyment
David stressed that Styles' success stems from a strong aerobic base developed through long, steady runs during Covid lockdowns, alongside a focus on foundational strength. He warned against jumping into advanced routines without proper preparation, advocating for patience and consistency in fitness journeys.
A key element of Styles' training philosophy is enjoyment. David highlighted that Styles maintains a playful attitude towards exercise, making the rigorous sessions more manageable and sustainable. This approach underscores the importance of finding fun in fitness to achieve long-term health benefits.
Verdict: Not for Beginners
After completing a session similar to Styles' routine, I found it both exhilarating and exhausting. While inspiring, this workout is best suited for those with a solid baseline fitness level. Aspiring athletes should take cues from Styles' dedication, building gradually and prioritising enjoyment to emulate his stadium tour fitness. As for matching his vocal talents, that remains a separate challenge altogether.
