“Eddie Hall” and “abs” aren’t two words you would typically put together—until recently. If you know Eddie Hall, the British strongman legend, you probably remember him as the beast who deadlifted an astonishing 500 kg. A man built for power, brute strength, and lifting ungodly weights, Hall was never the poster boy for a shredded six-pack. But, in recent years, the strongman has turned his life to MMA and boxing, and with it started shredding and now “Eddie Hall abs” is something people actually google.
So, how did a strongman with a body built for strength manage to carve out abs? The story of Eddie Hall’s core transformation is both inspiring and surprising, and it’s one that can motivate anyone looking to chisel their midsection, no matter their starting point!
In this article, we’ll dig deep into how Eddie Hall got his abs, covering everything from his training routine, diet plan, and the mindset that helped him achieve this transformation. Whether you’re aiming to build a six-pack or just want to learn more about one of the world’s most impressive physical transformations, you’re in the right place.
Just to remember, below you will see how he looked when he won the 2017 World’s Strongest Man competition.
Table of Contents
Eddie Hall’s Strongman Journey: A Foundation of Power
- The early days of Eddie Hall’s career as a strongman
- How his power-focused training laid the groundwork for his core development
- Eddie’s mindset shift from pure strength to aesthetics
- The importance of core strength in strongman competitions
Before we dive into how Eddie sculpted his abs, it’s essential to understand the journey that led him here. Eddie Hall wasn’t always the lean, muscular man we see today. In his early days, Eddie was all about raw power. As a strongman, his primary goal was to lift as much as humanly possible. He wasn’t concerned with chiselled abs or looking “aesthetic.” For strongmen, having a higher body fat percentage is pretty common, as it provides more mass for stability during heavy lifts.
Eddie trained intensely for years, focusing on deadlifts, squats, and other compound lifts, which engaged his core but in a much different way than typical bodybuilders train for abs. His core was strong, no doubt, but it wasn’t visibly shredded. Still, all that heavy lifting laid the groundwork for a solid foundation of core strength—an essential aspect of his transformation later on.

But things began to shift. After winning the 2017 World’s Strongest Man title, Eddie Hall began to reconsider his goals. He was already at the top of his game in the world of strength sports. What more could he achieve there? So, he decided to set his sights on something else—something more personal. Eddie wanted to transform his body, pushing it to new limits beyond just brute strength. And that’s when the abs journey began.
Eddie Hall Abs Workout Routine: From Bulk to Ripped
- How Eddie transitioned from heavy lifting to a more focused abs routine
- The types of exercises he incorporated for building core definition
- How he balanced strongman training with aesthetic goals
- Eddie’s personal tips on core training
Eddie’s abs transformation didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly didn’t come easy. After years of training like a strongman, switching to a routine that prioritised abs was a big change. Eddie had to adjust his training regime, but he was up for the challenge.
One of the first things Eddie Hall did was incorporate more traditional core exercises into his routine. Exercises like hanging leg raises, cable crunches, and ab rollouts became a staple in his workouts. While Eddie’s strongman days built an incredible core foundation, these new exercises were all about creating definition and bringing out those abs visually.
Eddie’s ab workouts were no joke. He wasn’t doing endless crunches or relying on quick-fix routines. Instead, he focused on intensity and progressive overload, much like he did in strongman training. His go-to exercises included weighted crunches, hanging leg raises, and various plank variations, all designed to hit every part of the core. Planks, in particular, were essential for building the deep core muscles, while leg raises helped carve out the lower abs—a notoriously tricky area for many people.
However, Eddie didn’t ditch his strongman roots entirely. He maintained a balance between his strongman exercises and his ab-focused training. Lifts like deadlifts and squats were still crucial, as they require a strong core for stabilisation. In fact, many believe that Eddie’s background in strongman gave him an edge when it came to developing his abs. His core was already strong, and with the right exercises, it was just a matter of bringing out the definition.
For those looking to take a page out of Eddie’s book, his number one tip for core training is to stay consistent. You can’t spot reduce fat, but you can train your abs like any other muscle. That means applying progressive overload, increasing the intensity of your workouts, and being patient with the process.
Start Doing the Reverse Crunch – An Effective Ab Exercise to Get A Six-Pack
Eddie Hall’s Diet for Abs: Shredding Fat, Keeping Muscle
- How Eddie shifted from a high-calorie strongman diet to a leaner, more aesthetic-focused meal plan
- The importance of protein in maintaining muscle while cutting fat
- Eddie’s favourite foods for staying lean and strong
- Why diet plays a critical role in revealing abs
It’s often said that abs are made in the kitchen, and Eddie Hall’s transformation proves it. While training is essential, diet plays an even more significant role in revealing those coveted abs. In his strongman days, Eddie was consuming upwards of 10,000 calories per day to fuel his monstrous lifts. But when it came time to shed fat and reveal his abs, Eddie had to make some serious changes to his eating habits.
First and foremost, Eddie Hall focused on creating a calorie deficit. That’s the key to fat loss, no matter how strong or fit you are. But cutting calories didn’t mean losing muscle. Eddie knew that if he didn’t eat enough protein, he would lose the muscle mass he had spent years building. So, protein became the star of his diet.
Eddie’s daily meals were packed with lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, and fish, which helped him maintain muscle while cutting down on fat. He also incorporated plenty of vegetables, complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and brown rice, and healthy fats from sources like avocados and nuts. Eddie wasn’t starving himself; he was eating nutrient-dense foods that kept him full while in a calorie deficit.
One interesting fact about Eddie’s diet is how much he focused on portion control. He didn’t cut out any major food groups or go on a super-restrictive diet. Instead, he focused on moderation, eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day to keep his metabolism firing and his energy levels high.
Eddie also made sure to stay hydrated. It’s easy to forget how important water is when you’re trying to reveal your abs. Staying well-hydrated helps with muscle recovery, keeps your metabolism in check, and can even reduce bloating—something that can obscure those abs you’ve been working so hard for.
For those looking to follow in Eddie’s footsteps, the key takeaway is that diet is everything when it comes to abs. You can train all you want, but if your diet isn’t in check, you won’t see results. A high-protein, balanced diet is essential for cutting fat while maintaining muscle mass. And don’t forget to stay patient—fat loss takes time.
Eddie’s Mindset and Motivation: Staying Consistent for Abs of Steel
- How Eddie stayed motivated during his transformation
- The importance of mental toughness in achieving fitness goals
- Overcoming plateaus and setbacks along the way
- Eddie’s advice for anyone starting their abs journey
Achieving abs like Eddie Hall’s isn’t just about the physical work. A big part of it comes down to mindset and motivation. If you’ve followed Eddie’s career, you know that he’s no stranger to mental toughness. Breaking world records, pushing the limits of human strength—none of that happens without serious determination. But even for someone as mentally strong as Eddie, the journey to chiselling out a six-pack came with its challenges.
One of the most significant obstacles Eddie faced was the shift in his goals. Going from strongman training to aesthetic training required a completely different mindset. Strongman training is about lifting the heaviest weight possible, often without worrying about how your body looks. But training for abs? That’s a different ballgame. It requires discipline not just in the gym but also with diet, recovery, and rest.

Eddie credits much of his success to setting clear, specific goals. He didn’t just want to lose weight or get fitter—he wanted abs. And every day, he reminded himself of that goal. Whether it was pushing through a tough workout or resisting the temptation of unhealthy foods, Eddie kept his eyes on the prize.
Of course, there were setbacks along the way. Eddie has openly admitted that there were days when he felt frustrated, days when the scale didn’t move, and days when his abs didn’t seem to be coming through. But instead of giving up, Eddie used those setbacks as motivation to push harder. He recognised that progress isn’t always linear and that patience is key.
For those on their own abs journey, Eddie’s advice is simple: consistency is everything. You don’t have to be perfect every day, but you do have to show up. Keep pushing, stay patient, and remember that results take time. And, most importantly, enjoy the process. Fitness is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Conclusion
Eddie Hall’s abs transformation is nothing short of inspiring. Going from a world-class strongman to unveiling a shredded six-pack is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, and consistency. But what makes Eddie’s story truly motivating is that it’s not just about aesthetics. Eddie Hall has shown that it’s possible to be both strong and lean, to chase new goals and challenge your body in different ways.
Whether you’re aiming for abs like Eddie’s or just want to get stronger and fitter, his journey proves that with the right mindset, training routine, and diet, anything is possible. It’s all about finding what works for you, staying consistent, and never giving up on your goals. So, what are you waiting for? Time to start chiselling those abs!
The Ultimate Abs Hypertrophy Guide for Men and Women
image sources
- eddie-hall-chest-workout: Eddie Hall
- Eddie Hall: Instagram