The former Man United fullback made the surprise claim on his Overlap Youtube channel, and his comments are likely to leave some gym-goers up in arms
Gary Neville has taken aim at anyone who skips a morning gym session in favour of a cosy evening workout, labelling them “wimps” in his latest rant.
The former England and Manchester United star reckons you can judge a person’s character by whether they’re willing to hit the gym at the crack of dawn. In fact, Gary thinks anyone who avoids the cold and dark of a 5.45am winter stroll to the gym doesn’t quite cut it.
Speaking on his Overlap YouTube channel, the 49-year-old pundit said: “I walk to the gym at 5.45am. In the summer, when I’m walking, I see loads of people doing the same. But in the winter, when it’s dark and freezing… they’re nowhere to be seen!”
When his production manager, Kiaran Saunders, suggested the cold and dark might put people off, the Bury-born defender fired back: “Why? Get out, get up, get on with it. It’s easy!”
He didn’t stop there, adding: “If you’re in the gym at six or seven in the morning, it says a lot about you. People who go at six or seven at night? Nah, doesn’t have the same ring to it. Morning people have got something about them.”
Of course, while Neville is clearly a staunch advocate for early morning workouts, most fitness experts agree that the best time to exercise is simply whenever you can fit it in.
Whether it’s a crack-of-dawn sweat session or a late-night gym visit after work, staying active at any time of day is better than skipping it altogether.
Evening workouts can be ideal for those who struggle with early starts, offering a chance to de-stress and unwind after a busy day. Plus, some studies suggest performance can improve later in the day when your body is fully warmed up.
That being said, It should perhaps come as no surprise to hear that Gary’s got a personal grudge against anything past seven, considering that’s the same number of goals his Valencia side shipped to Barcelona in that infamous Copa Del Ray drubbing in 2016.
Perhaps if Gary’s Spanish side had done a few more morning gym seshes, he may have lasted more than four months in the job…