Reach For The Stars

You’ve seen their meal plans on Instagram and their naked torsos strewn across the big screen, but just how hard do the big names in Hollywood train to get movie ready? Journalist and comedy writer Ralph Jones braces himself to find out

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Picture, please, a Greek god. You have him in your mind? Fantastic. Now put an aqua blue t-shirt on that Greek god and make him about six-feet tall. en bestow him with black Nike joggers and a pair of casual trainers. Finally, give him a sweep of golden hair. e person you now have in your imagination is Jack Hanrahan, personal trainer to the stars.

He has helped A-listers including Jennifer Lawrence and Rami Malek get into shape – for X Men: Apocalypse and Bohemian Rhapsody, respectively – and he tells me he has also trained CEO’s of major companies. Today, lucky him, he's going to be training me.

Our workout takes place in the bowels of Lanesborough Club and Spa. And what exquisite bowels they are. Lanesborough is an ultra-plush members establishment in Hyde Park Corner, Central London, whose design is modelled on the ceremonial spaces of the Roman baths. e spacious interior is adorned with wood panelling, gold and marble, and opulence oozes from every pore. When I get dressed, so private and immaculate are the men's changing rooms I feel almost as though I am preparing for a session with millionaire love scoundrel Christian Grey.

Lanesborough is the site from which Hanrahan carries out a good deal of his client sessions and, though he therefore gets free membership (prices start at £2,000 a year for most), he says he barely uses the facilities. What a waste, I think, wondering if I should dress up as him the next day and blag my way into the sauna.

I WANT TO BREAK FREE