During his recent Men’s Health cover shoot prep, Paddy McGuinness adopted a simple morning ritual inspired by the viral 75 Hard challenge. Every day at 6am, the comedian and presenter would wake up, pull on the training kit he’d laid out beside his bed and head straight to his home gym. After drinking 500ml of water mixed with electrolytes, he’d step onto his curved treadmill and walk for 40 minutes.
The early-morning session was done without distractions. ‘I fucking like the misery of the silence,’ he jokes. The 75 Hard challenge requires two daily workouts alongside strict lifestyle rules, though he admits the walk itself wasn’t always his favourite way to start the day.
That said, while strict habits can have their appeal, it’s important to ensure they’re sustainable. A big part of that is finding an exercise routine you actually enjoy. Walking on a treadmill can be an effective form of low-impact, steady-state cardio, but the best option is usually the one you’re most likely to stick with long term.
Want to know how Paddy McGuinness got into the best shape of his life at 52? We break down the 75 Hard challenge he followed – plus the exact workouts he used to build lean muscle for his Men’s Health cover shoot.Sign up for 14 days free access to the MH app and read our guide to how best to do 75 Hard now.
For many people, that might mean heading outdoors for a workout, hike or ruck. Rucking – essentially walking with a weighted backpack – offers similar cardiovascular benefits while making the session more engaging. A dose of fresh air and natural morning light can also make early training feel far less like a chore, and that sense of enjoyment is key when building a sustainable habit.
Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.