Men’s Health UK sits down with Adam Peaty before the Commonwealth Games. Before he suffered his first loss in the 100m breaststroke since 2014. Before he was criticized on social media for not taking the Olympics seriously, and before he showed off his rivals by winning the 50-meter breaststroke.
Here’s what he said about his hope, coming into the game.
“I don’t have any expectations for performance,” he said. “I’m just going to see what my body can do. I think it’s a great place. I don’t have any expectations for timing or performance. Obviously, I want to win. I turn every game I want to win. Because that’s not me. I play every game to win. I just see where my body can take me.”
Questioning if Pitty still has his Willingness to win is similar to questioning whether the sun will rise in the morning or set in the evening. Yes, he will.
The amount of work Pitty put in ensures this. Even before the Olympics, Pitty was doing hard cardio when his feet were wrapped in protective boots. With the boots off, he’s back to lifting like a powerlifter, with 125kg squats and over 500kg leg presses on his agenda.
Peaty loves the job, both in and out of the pool. Here, he reveals five of his favorite exercises. Unsurprisingly, they are great for building a stronger body and a stronger mind. Nor can you accuse Pitty of being lacking.
Men’s Health
Dumbbell Press
how: Lie faceup on the bench while keeping both dumbbells at chest height. Push the weight up until your arms are fully extended. Then slowly lower back to the starting position.
Peaty said: “ I usually say the bench press, but I really like the dumbbell press because you have to work each arm, you can’t get stronger with just one arm, you can’t without stabilization escape, so you have to work all those tiny muscles.”
Back Squat
How to: Feet shoulder-width apart, bar across upper back, overhand grip, slow Squat down slowly. Keep your head up, back straight, and buns out. Lower yourself until your hips line up with your knees (squats are more beneficial, but gain strength and flexibility first). Plant your heels on the floor to propel yourself explosively. Hold the position until you are standing up straight.
Peaty said: “You can clearly see when people miss leg work, and the back squat is something everyone tries to avoid, but it’s great for your whole body chain and spine strength .”
Men’s Health
Leg Press
how:
In the leg press the machine places the feet shoulder-width apart on the platform. Push into the platform until your legs are straight, but don’t lock your knees. Slowly lower until your knees are at 90 degrees to the floor, then push through your heels back to the starting position.
Peaty said: “I really like the leg press because it’s easy to do, you get that stability, but you can also carry the load as high as you can. I think I have 500 now Kilograms, maybe a little higher.”
pull-ups
How to: Grab the handle of the pull-up, palms facing away yourself, arms fully extended. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart. Squeeze your shoulder blades together, exhale and push your elbows toward your hips, keeping your chin higher than the bar. Lower the control back to the starting position.
Peaty said: “I would say pull-ups, but it’s just weight because I can do a lot with that weight. When you look at 55 or 60kg. Someone needs to come up with a machine to take Walk most of the plates because when you get to a 3x20kg plate your legs don’t move. I don’t like that because it’s awkward but I like the weight and it’s really good for your back muscles and shoulders benefit.”
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sled How to run
: With your torso almost parallel to the ground, hold the sled, arms locked. Go as fast as you can to drive the sled, keeping one knee in front of your chest while the other leg stretches behind you.
Peaty said: “I really like sled running because it helps tighten the hamstrings but you can also use it as a heavyweight anaerobic workout, or you can use it as A lightweight thing, you can hit that cardio block. So I think it’s great for strength exercises.”
Adam Pitty, ambassador for British sportswear brand Castore, wore Castore’s SS22 collection to the UK Federal Games Gold Medal. Available at castore.com
Daniel Davies is the UK Department of Men’s Health A staff writer for , who has been covering exercise science, fitness, and culture for a variety of publications for the past five years. While at MH, Daniel trained with NFL athletes, Olympic gymnasts, professional boxers and the British Army, and he recently completed his first marathon in 3:50:55. You can find him on IG and Twitter: @iamdanieldavies
“I would say pull-ups, but it’s just weight because I can do a lot with that weight. When you look at 55 or 60kg. Someone needs to come up with a machine to take Walk most of the plates because when you get to a 3x20kg plate your legs don’t move. I don’t like that because it’s awkward but I like the weight and it’s really good for your back muscles and shoulders benefit.”
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: With your torso almost parallel to the ground, hold the sled, arms locked. Go as fast as you can to drive the sled, keeping one knee in front of your chest while the other leg stretches behind you.
Peaty said: “I really like sled running because it helps tighten the hamstrings but you can also use it as a heavyweight anaerobic workout, or you can use it as A lightweight thing, you can hit that cardio block. So I think it’s great for strength exercises.”
Adam Pitty, ambassador for British sportswear brand Castore, wore Castore’s SS22 collection to the UK Federal Games Gold Medal. Available at castore.com
Daniel Davies is the UK Department of Men’s Health A staff writer for , who has been covering exercise science, fitness, and culture for a variety of publications for the past five years. While at MH, Daniel trained with NFL athletes, Olympic gymnasts, professional boxers and the British Army, and he recently completed his first marathon in 3:50:55. You can find him on IG and Twitter: @iamdanieldavies
