THE POLDARK EFFECT

Why half of the nation are swooning and half are feeling, well a little inadequate after watching the drama on a Sunday evening?

If you're a bloke, like me, feeling slightly jealous of actor, Aiden Turner's incredible body, read on.

If you're a lady, who would like their partner to have a Poldark body, also read on.

He's tall, dark, handsome and has abs you could cook eggs on. Most men in the U.K. are jealous (myself included) but actor Aiden Turner had to get himself in shape for the role, hitting the gym hard!

HOW TO GET A BODY LIKE POLDARK

* Curly wigs and cornish accents are optional

Follow my tips to get a body like Poldark:

Nutrition is key!

Tip 1: Cut out the alcohol. To get a lean bod like Poldark, you need to get rid of ALL alcohol. It's full of sugar and empty calories, plus it slows down your body burning fat - and stops your abs from showing

Tip 2: Eat whole foods & throw away processed foods. Processed food is, well, processed, and not really good for you, especially if you're getting in shape.

Tip 3: Drink water - A lot of water! At least 3 litres per day (not including green tea and smoothies) pure Aqua, and not any of that flavoured stuff.

Tip 4: Go workout - Diet is very important, but to hone in on those muscles, they need to be worked. Follow my workout routine to kick start the Poldark Effect!

THE POLDARK WORKOUT

SLED PUSH:

If you don't have a sled to hand (or in the gym), try this: load a towel with weighted plates and shove it 25m across your gym’s floor.

Drive the power from your legs, keep your arms straight as you push. Tense your abs at all times, and try not to round your back too much.

SQUAT & STEP UP:

Grab a sand bag/power bag and put it on one shoulder. Find some high steps (about 2-3 steps high). Squat first and step up with the leg on the side that doesn't have the weight. Do 12 reps before switching sides. The uneven weight will challenge your abs like never before.

CABLE/DUMBBELL LATERAL RAISE:

Put the handle to the lowest pulley setting and stand side on. Your weighted hand should be facing away from the machine. Keep your body straight, knees slightly bent. Tense your core and lift the weight by raising your hand to shoulder height.

Repeat 12 times before swapping sides.

CHEST BENCH PRESS (BARBELL):

Chisel that chest with the classic Chest Bench Press! Lie on a bench, with the bar above you (use a spotter if needed) Use a neutral grip, just wider than shoulder width. Slowly bring the bar to your chest, pause for a second before returning the bar to the start position. Try not to lock your elbows at the top. Repeat for 12 repetitions.

CABLE MACHINE ROTATION:

These will torch your outer abs.

Attach one end of a straight bar to a cable machine with the pulley at waist height. Face away from the machine, grab it with both hands and twist your torso to the left with some oomph - driving your right hand forward as though you were chopping crops (pretending your Poldark)

After 12 reps, switch sides. Then put your shirt back on.

HIIT

(High Intensity Interval Training) is also essential for dropping body fat like it's going out of fashion.

If you have access to a gym, hit the rowing machine for 30 seconds intense rowing then 30 seconds less vigorous. Keep going for 8 minutes

Next, get on the treadmill, ramp up the incline to 4% and get moving. Again, 30 second spurts off/on will help get you ripped. Keep this up for 8 minutes.

If you don't have access to a gym, try this.

30 seconds of each exercise:

• Mountain climbers

• Plank hold

• Squat Jumps

• Jumping jacks

• Burpees

• Press ups

Rest as little as you possibly can - try to keep it intense as possible.

Repeat 5 times.

Good luck!

MB