Strongman and strength conditioning coach Luke Fullbrook and sports rehabilitation specialist Chris Peil join Sam and Eddie for day one of the challenge, which starts with six exercises designed to test Sam's strength, agility and endurance: a 220 kg deadlift, a 140 kg bench press, a goblet squat, a shoulder press, a frame carry, and the SkiErg.
Once he knows his way around the equipment, Sam is left to his own devices for the six weeks. After just one week on his training program and new meal plan (consisting primarily of chicken, rice, oats and greens), he's already noticing that clothes are starting to fit better.
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"I can't believe after having so much time out of the gym, doing that strength stuff, how strong I've got so quickly," he says at the halfway mark. "It was vital to do something like this," he adds. "What it's done it put everything in perspective."
Sam weighs in at 130 kg (286 pounds) at the start of the six weeks, with 30.5 per cent body fat. By the end of the challenge, he's dropped a staggering 13 Kilos, and has considerably improved his stamina and gym technique: he only managed five reps on the shoulder press to begin with, but six weeks later he smashes out 18.
"The number's incredible, it's more than tripled," says Hall. "Absolutely incredible."
This article originally appeared on Men's Health