RICH FRONING
Men's Fitness UK|September 2023
He won the CrossFit Games, one of the toughest tests of fitness, a staggering four times. Back in 2015, we spent a day with the man who dominated the sport to find out the secrets to his success
RICH FRONING

We’ve seen the likes of Dwayne Johnson and Kellan Lutz play Hercules onscreen, but for our money, the only modern mortal fit to portray the legendary hero is Rich Froning. In July 2014, the former firefighter won the CrossFit Games title for the fourth year running, confirming his status as the fittest man on Earth.

It’s a feat he had to work hard to accomplish. At his first attempt, in 2010, he came unstuck on the rope climb during the final event and missed out on first place. Since then, he has learned to prepare for any scenario, iron out every technical flaw and turn his few weaknesses into strengths. His secrets? Smart programming and heavy lifting.

Body moving

It’s 8am at London’s CrossFit Thames gym when Froning gets to work. He has barely got his feet on the ground after a long-haul flight from his home in Tennessee, but already he’s going all-out on the rowing machine. Two minutes later he marches over to the rack for some front squats: eight reps each of 70kg, 90kg, 110kg and 130kg.

Now warm, he begins hefting a heavily laden bar overhead. Overhead squats, snatch pulls, snatches and some power cleans for good measure. Then four sets of three back squats. To finish, Froning powers through a more traditional CrossFit workout, rotating four sets of max-rep pull-ups, glute-ham raises, GHD sit-ups and back extensions.

Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Men's Fitness UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Men's Fitness UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE MEN'S FITNESS UKVer todo
SCIENCE SAYS...EXERCISE CAN HELP IMPROVE MEMORY
Men's Fitness UK

SCIENCE SAYS...EXERCISE CAN HELP IMPROVE MEMORY

We all know that exercise W delivers proven physical benefits. Most smart watches can tell us whether our endurance levels are improving. But what about the mental health benefits? These metrics have always been more anecdotal - and therefore harder to measure.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 2025
DON'T DROP THE BOMB
Men's Fitness UK

DON'T DROP THE BOMB

Could a 100g post-workout protein-bomb actually work?New science has just overturned the standard advice on protein with some surprising results for post-workout nutrition

time-read
3 minutos  |
February 2025
ROLL WITH IT
Men's Fitness UK

ROLL WITH IT

It won't have escaped your notice that the equipment inventory for most gyms now includes recovery items such as foam rollers, massage guns and spikey balls, all of which can be used in self-myofascial release, which growing evidence suggests is essential for maintaining your muscles in peak condition.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 2025
DUMBBELLS & GYM BALL INTRODUCTION
Men's Fitness UK

DUMBBELLS & GYM BALL INTRODUCTION

A set of dumbbells and a gym ball can give you serious muscle gains

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 2025
EVERYTHING'S GONE GREEN
Men's Fitness UK

EVERYTHING'S GONE GREEN

A new breed of eco-friendly running shoe is hitting the streets. We take a look at the main contenders

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 2025
THE HIGHS & LOWS
Men's Fitness UK

THE HIGHS & LOWS

Following on from the success of his Sunday Times bestselling The Good Bite's High-Protein Meal-Prep Manual, Niall Kirkland is back with a new collection of delicious and indulgent high-protein recipes - all under 500 calories.

time-read
5 minutos  |
February 2025
CUT TO THE QUICK
Men's Fitness UK

CUT TO THE QUICK

Speed, balance and co-ordination are all benefits of agility training. So isn't it about time you added it in to your programme?

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 2025
Confessions of a HYROX VIRGIN
Men's Fitness UK

Confessions of a HYROX VIRGIN

Turning a cyclist into a runner is one thing, but can you target a Hyrox in four months in your fifties? Frank Bauer finds out

time-read
7 minutos  |
February 2025
THE GYM COMMANDMENTS
Men's Fitness UK

THE GYM COMMANDMENTS

To get bigger, stronger or leaner, you must master the basics of training. Adhere to these ten rules from the best in the business and build a better body

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 2025
RETREAT INTO YOURSELF
Men's Fitness UK

RETREAT INTO YOURSELF

Allowing yourself time to retreat from the everyday can have a powerful impact on your mental wellbeing. Joe Minihane investigates

time-read
5 minutos  |
February 2025