Ironman Champion vs Crossfit Legend: Who Trains Harder?

What happens when you pit the 2017 Nutri-Grain Ironman Champion against a 4 time CrossFit Games athlete in the ultimate battle of the fittest? One hell of challenge!

The 2019 Men’s Health Challenge, kicking off in January, will put two of Australia's fiercest competitors head-to-head in a 6 week training block. The athletes provide the workouts, and will battle it out in an epic deciding workout before one will be crowned winner.

Our first challenge will follow the fitness and training programs of two very different, professional athletes:

Khan Porter
4 x CrossFit Games athlete

Matt Poole
Ironman Champion

Khan and Matt will create and follow a 6-week training program, focusing on different aspects of human strength and endurance.

Men's Health will be covering The Challenge form the get-go, bringing you Khan and Pooley's workouts each week, meaning YOU get the chance to train along side these world-beating athletes. So pick a side, and get to the gym!

The Athletes

MATT POOLE

2017 Nutri-Grain Ironman Champion

Age: 30
Height: 6 foot 4
Training: Strength, cardio and endurance
Goal: Summer body, ripped up and ready to go

matt_poole1 View Profile

KHAN PORTER

4 x CrossFit Games Athlete

Age: 29
Height: 6 foot
Training: High intensity, weight lifting, gymnastics
Goal: Full body workouts, jacked AF

iamkhanporter View Profile

A key focus of your goals should be finding joy. In the process and as an outcome. For both yourself and the people around you. Priorities finding joy, value and meaning in what you do and you'll navigate any difficulty and discomfort that arises as part of your journey. Some of today's "discomfort" looked a little like this: In teams of 3 500/400cal assault bike *One person must be holding a double kettlebell front rack while the bike is going. #PlayMindset #TrainHardPlayHarder

Who will be crowned victor of the very first MH Challenge? Stay tuned to menshealth.com.au in the New Year as the lads release their workouts, and take part yourself.

Scott Henderson

As a fitness addict, adventure sport lover, and passionate story-teller, Scott Henderson is committed to living the Men’s Health brand. When he’s not researching and writing about the latest health and fitness news, you’ll find him crushing it in the gym, running up a mountain, or out on the waves.