Three cricketers who transformed into giant bodybuilders

Cricket is a physically taxing sport. The ever-increasing demands of the game require a professional athlete to work out regularly to become physically agile and strong. Cricketers are generally advised to work specifically on comprehensive fitness instead of developing bulky muscles and the fitness levels of the game are going up everyday.

However, what do cricketers do after they hang up their boots? Some turn up to commentary, some engage in politics and well, some of these fit individuals transform into gargantuan beasts.

These are some extremely interesting stories of cricketers who transformed into stupendous bodybuilders after calling time on their careers, achieving a herculean physique with rigorous work-out sessions and a nutritious diet regimen.

We look in-depth at three such cricketers who embarked on a body-building journey after calling time on their careers.

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#1 David Lawrence

David Lawrence is a renowned cricketer turned bodybuilder.

David Lawrence is a former hostile speedster who represented England in five Tests and one ODI between 1988 to 1992. Born in England to Jamaican parents, the promising fast bowler boasted of an excellent first-class record with a staggering 500 wickets to his name.

Unfortunately, the powerful right-arm quick suffered an appalling injury to his left patella (knee cap) in the middle of his delivery stride while bowling against New Zealand in Wellington. Lawrence collapsed to the ground screaming out in unbearable anguish and was carried off from the field on a stretcher. Unable to play for England ever again, Lawrence was eventually forced to retire from the sport at the age of 29.

Later, the menacing pacer made a decorated professional career for himself in bodybuilding. Lawrence inculcated tremendous discipline into his life in terms of dietary and training habits to fulfill his dream. A testimony to his relentless diligence - he has been named the National Amateur Body Building Association’s West of England champion for the over-40s three years in a row.

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#2 Chris Tremlett

Chris Tremlett boasts of a monumental physique now.

Lethal England pacer Chris Tremlett made only 12 Test and 15 ODI appearances for England but was a centerpiece of England’s famous Ashes victory down under in 2010-11, where he bagged 17 wickets in three Tests. His final first-class appearance came for Surrey against Glamorgan at Guildford in 2015.

The Hampshire-born seamer was an astonishing 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall and was able to generate extra bounce on most surfaces. The former Surrey pacer, who scalped 459 wickets in an illustrious 15-year first-class career, decided to bid adieu to the game in 2015 citing repeated back niggles.

Post-retirement, the 37-year-old picked up a far less strenuous activity compared to all-out fast bowling: hardcore weightlifting. The gangly quick has undergone an incredible metamorphosis ever since, putting on a voluminous amount of clean muscle. He adheres to a caloric surplus diet binging on over 8000 calories per day.

Tremlett has also meticulously documented his colossal transformation on Instagram, where can be usually seen lifting substantial weights and undergoing intense CrossFit-workout sessions.

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#3 Martyn Ford

Martyn Ford boasts of humongous size and stature. (PC- Pinterest)

Hailing from West Midlands in the United Kingdom, Martyn Ford, was a talented amateur cricketer who represented Warwickshire in county cricket.

However, during one of his training sessions, he picked up a horrific injury Following the injury, Martyn also suffered a severe case of glandular fever which left him sidelined for a lengthy period of 12 months which was significant setback for his cricketing ambitions. Consequently, Martyn had to abandon his dream of becoming a professional cricket player and look for something else to build his career in.

Eventually, Martyn decided to enter the world of fitness and bodybuilding. He saw it as an ideal way to channelize the frustrations that built up inside of him throughout the recovery period where he was unable to play his favorite sport. Martyn hasn't ever bothered to look back since then.

The 37-year-old is now completely engaged with professional bodybuilding and currently weighs a monstrous 230kg. He consumes a whooping 340gms of protein a day and undergoes regular High-Intensity Training (HIT). His muscular physique has earned him immense popularity, leading to a role in Hollywood’s super hit series Boyka in 2010. Presently a fitness expert, he also bagged a role in the film ‘Undisputed 4’- courtesy his humongous appearance.

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