In just two years Joe Wicks has gone from running a fitness bootcamp in his local park to transforming the figures of people around the world with his work as The Body Coach. His first book Lean in 15 has already sold over 600,000 copies since its release in January, and has now landed a spot in the top 20 cookbooks of all time – a feat even Gordon Ramsay and Mary Berry haven't been able to achieve.
We caught up with Joe at The Body Coach HQ to put some of his recipes to the test and discuss his top tips for optimum health and fitness. The 30-year-old is the embodiment of his brand, and refreshingly his plan focuses on eating more, rather than less food, with no need to cut anything out.
Joe Wicks has developed the Lean in 15 plan as The Body Coach
"I always try to be as realistic about it as possible," Joe says of his approach to food. "Some people are too hard on themselves if they have a bad day. I always say 'Don't let a bad day become a bad week of eating.'"
Joe believes the worst dieting mistake anyone can make is "not eating enough food" and he doesn't agree with diet plans that "deprive" people of the foods they enjoy.
"The message for me is to get girls confident that they can eat more food," he says.
The approach evidently works, with over 100,000 people having signed up to Joe's 90 day plan in the last two years. Joe has also built up an impressive social media following of 983,000 followers on Instagram alone – including a few famous faces.
Joe says he doesn't believe in low-calorie diets - and includes a Thai green curry recipe in his book
"I've actually never trained a celebrity, I've always just trained your average Joe and your mum down the park, even when I was just a PT," Joe said. However his fun and accessible approach to health has seen the likes of Ellie Goulding, Rio Ferdinand, Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith and Jessie J become fans.
Joe is now in talks to produce a fitness DVD and is filming a new Channel Four programme which is due to air in the summer. With a further two books set for release in 2016, along with the publication of his debut book in the US, it is shaping up to be an incredibly busy year for the trainer.
However he still finds time to fit in four or five high intensity workouts a week, something he recommends others to do if they want to see guaranteed results.
Joe is currently filming a new TV programme for Channel Four
His top three exercises for toning? "Lunges with heavy dumbbells, because it's really good for your glutes and your thighs, better than squats. Press ups, because it works so many muscles at once. Girls don't like doing them but when they do they get results.
"In terms of cardio exercises I'd say mountain climbers because it works your core and also your shoulders so you get nice arms, and it keeps your heart rate up."
Joe confided that one of the biggest fitness mistakes you can make is "lifting baby weights and just doing steady state cardio for hours and hours."
He adds: "You can get a really strong, powerful physique just doing HIIT training."
Fitness First is partnered with Joe Wicks to show how fitness, combined with healthy eating, can boost a person’s overall mood and wellbeing. See fitnessfirst.co.uk/TheBodyCoach.