Has Daniel Craig as the new Bond inspired a generation of men to get a super fit physique? James Shaw finds out at Telford’s fitness First. 

Right: Daniel Craig’s toned physique as 007

The time is 10am and already the gym at Fitness First in Telford is buzzing. Although some of the machines continue to be unused, there is a definite determination in the air that some believe was missing just a few short years ago.

While a few ladies stick to their toning exercises on the running machines, there is a palpable sniff of testosterone in the weights room as the men signal a return for the muscle-bound guy.

The emergence of Shropshire-connected Daniel Craig as the new James Bond (including THAT shot of his musclebound physique emerging from the sea in the Bahamas) has, perhaps, inspired a whole new generation of bodybuilders.

Whereas previous gym-goers would have been ashamed to show off their toned physiques, Craig’s performance in Casino Royale seems likely to signal a return of the so-called beefcake.

Indeed, it is no coincidence that his performance has been compared to that of Sean Connery, who displayed a hugely impressive physique when he played the super-spy.

But is it really the case that Shropshire lads are returning to the gym, simply in a bid to reject the Johnny Depp-style physique?

Richard Mackreath, the fitness manager at Fitness First in Telford, has been bodybuilding for over 14 years and even won the UK bodybuilding championships in 2003.

Right: Fitness First manager, Richard Mackreath, has been bodybuilding for over 14 years

He believes that one of the main problems faced by bodybuilders has been coping with the various misconceptions.

“There is a stigma that bodybuilders are arrogant and love themselves more than anyone else,” he says.

“But it is not like that and the people here often use it as a way of helping their confidence.

“Many people here are shy and my job as a personal trainer is often like that of a social worker. People have problems and they come to the gym as a way of dealing with them.”

It is believed that Daniel Craig spent around six hours in the gym every day as he worked tirelessly on his physique for the Bond role.

But Richard, who has competed in shows in all over the country, is convinced that such a hectic schedule would be virtually impossible for anyone not in the film industry.

He explains: “Six hours a day is just unrealistic. People should be training regularly three or four times a week for one hour a day.

“If you trained like that for six hours, the body wouldn’t sustain it.”

Richard adds: “The big thing is nutrition. People could be here for seven days a week, but if they don’t have the right nutrition they wouldn’t see the effect as well.”

But what do the people training on the weights machines believe?

Interestingly, none of them had taken up weight training after studying Daniel Craig’s physique in his new role as James Bond.

But they have all noticed a significant change in attitude over recent times.

Robert Harris, from Much Wenlock, has just finished a tiring session on the bench-press and explains that since he started training over three years ago, there has been a definite change in attitude.

He says: “I have had work colleagues say that I must have been on steroids or something, but it has just been all hard work.

“It is all about dedication and you have to work at it. People don’t say that any more as they see how hard it is.”

He adds: “People do tend to bulk up, but I am not sure if that is a good thing – it is not all that natural.”

That is very much the case for Andrew Goodyer, from Woodside in Telford.

He combines his weight training with gruelling kick-boxing sessions and has noticed a definite shift in opinion over the last few years.

He says: “People are definitely taking more care of their bodies and they are more in shape, rather than letting themselves go.

“Before I was called as freak for the way I looked. Big people these days are less bulky and are less massive.”

Just a few yards away, Julian Saunders, from Stirchley, is also in the middle of an exhausting session.

The 34-year-old started weight training around eight years ago in a bid to increase his confidence and now attends the gym up to four times per week.

He says: “The reason I started doing this is that I was very skinny and I was looking for a way to get some confidence.

“I felt very self-conscious about being skinny and was about nine stone. Now I am 13 stone and most of that is muscle.”

Julian adds: “I suppose it has come back into fashion. People are more into it now.”