It’s one of the hottest days of the year – nudging 33°C – and I’m sat in Rob Beckett’s hotel room. I’ve gone for trousers over shorts. It felt like the professional thing to do, despite the heat.

Beckett takes one look at my get-up, before asking if I’m hiding my ‘chicken legs’ because I’ve skipped leg day. I don’t have a witty response, so settle for laughing – a bit too loud and for a bit too long.

One of us is among the sharpest minds in British comedy; the other is still trying to think of a comeback.

The room at Holiday Inn Express by IHG Hotels & Resorts is playing host to The Great Wake Up Debate, a campaign exploring the surprisingly passionate opinions people hold about their morning routines. But after half an hour sat across from Beckett, it’s clear he’s just as invested in the habits that set him up for the day.

The self-confessed ‘absolute animal’ in his 20s now starts every morning with electrolytes instead of coffee, squeezes in runs around parenting and touring, and has completely changed the way he thinks about health.

He’s also predictably honest about the fact he doesn’t always get it right. Rather than chasing ‘optimal’, he’s focused on finding habits that work around two children, a relentless touring schedule and everything else life throws at him.

Men’s Health: The Great Wake Up Debate found people are surprisingly passionate about their morning routines. Were you surprised?

Rob Beckett: I wasn’t surprised, because routines are funny. People are really rigid with them, which, to be fair, is probably a good thing when it comes to health. Diet and exercise are all about consistency.

What surprised me was just how weird some people are. Nearly 10% of people put the milk in before the cereal. That’s mental. Imagine finding out someone you know does that. They could be walking among us.

MH: Has your own morning routine changed much over the years?

RB: Definitely.

I used to wake up and immediately have a coffee because I thought I needed it to function. Now I start with electrolytes instead because I’ve realised I’m usually dehydrated rather than low on energy.

Whether it’s placebo or not, it’s working.

I’ve started putting creatine in there as well because someone told me I should if I’m going to the gym.

The electrolytes seem to calm me down a bit first thing, then I’ll have my coffee later in the morning.

That’s become the one constant in my day. Whether I’m at home or away touring, that’s the routine I stick to.

MH: You’re touring, filming and travelling a lot. Does that make it difficult to stay consistent?

RB: Actually, it’s easier to have routine touring because it’s just me. Normally I’ve got nothing to do all day because I’m gigging in the evening.

So I’ll sleep more, be healthier, eat better and exercise more when I’m not at home.

When I’m at home, that’s when it all goes Pete Tong, essentially.

Now I’m not touring as much, I’ve got to try and put that into my morning routine. So what I started doing is dropping the kids at school and then going to my local park and immediately doing a 5k at like half eight in the morning.

I’d say I’ve done that probably three times in six months…

The start of every week I’m like, ‘That’s what I’m going to do.’ But then it sort of falls away.

MH: Did becoming a dad change how you look after yourself?

RB: I’m actually healthier as I’ve got older because, obviously, you get to 40, you can’t drink as much and get away with it. You put on weight a lot easier. It’s harder to shift it.

In my 20s I was just an absolute animal.

Now I’m a bit more like, ‘No, I’ll try and eat a bit better and be on top of it,’ because it’s tiring having the kids and I don’t want to be the grandparent that can’t play in the garden and roll around and stuff like that.

So I actually have got a lot healthier.

When I was about 37 or 38, I started going to the gym, counted my calories slightly and lost a little bit of weight and got a bit fitter.

That’s tailed off because I’ve been so busy, but mentally I know what I need to do. I’m nowhere near my ideal weight or fitness, but at least I’ve got a handle on it when I’ve got time. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself at the moment when it’s mad.

MH: Are you any good at switching off before bed?

RB: I’m an absolute scroll monster before bed. The amount of times I’ve been on TikTok and my phone’s fallen on my head is horrendous.

I’ve started trying to leave my phone downstairs from about six or seven in the evening.

The problem is my wife’s still scrolling and, even though what I’m doing has nothing to do with her, it feels like a dig.

Then what happens is you need your phone to check something, so I’m like, ‘Lou, can you check the train times for me?’ and she’s like, ‘Just get your phone.’

I’m actually on a digital detox… but I do need information.

MH: You mentioned running – is that a new thing for you?

RB: I’ve never been able to run because I’ve got a hypermobile hip that was basically fully out. One leg went forward and one leg went like that, so I couldn’t run properly.

I went to a chiropractor, she straightened me up and I can run now. It’s amazing. I just thought I couldn’t run, when actually my leg weren’t facing the right way.

I used to tell myself I couldn’t run, but that was part of the negative thinking I’d have in my day-to-day life.

I used to battle it with my ego — ‘I can do this, you’re going to do this.’ But actually that was counterproductive because you’re spending energy, you’re overthinking it and you’re getting more stressed.

Now what I do when I’m running is I just say, ‘I am running.’

Because that’s the only thing I have to do. Your body can do a lot more than your mind tells you.

I changed it from ‘I can’t’ or ‘You’re going to’, to ‘I am.’ That really helped me.

MH: If your diary was completely clear, what would your ideal training week look like?

RB: I’d gym if I had the time.

I really enjoyed doing weights because once I was in a routine of doing three times a week, I loved it. I knew what I was doing, I was getting better and you could see progress.

That sort of slipped away.

Now, if I can run and go to the gym, I feel so much stronger and better.

I used to play five-a-side football but my knees are gone, I was always turning my ankle and you’d ache for a week afterwards. Plus you’re getting smashed by angry blokes coming from unhappy marriages.

Running and the gym is my ideal.

When I’m staying in a hotel, I’ll always take my running trainers because you can always just run somewhere.

When I was in Atlanta, I walked 20 minutes to this park and ran around there. Sometimes you’ve travelled all that way and you’re just staring at a screen in the hotel gym that you could be looking at anywhere.

MH: Do you still enjoy lifting weights?

RB: Yeah. I love a bench press because it feels like you’re doing a proper exercise.

Some of the little isolation movements… you’re standing there with tiny dumbbells wondering if anything’s actually happening.

Bench press just feels real.

The worst thing I ever did with a PT was pushing a tyre while he had me strapped to this resistance band pulling me backwards.

I just felt like a dog on a lead.

MH: Men’s Health has changed a lot over the years. It’s less about chasing six-packs and more about long-term health. Has your attitude towards your body changed too?

RB: Basically I’ve just accepted I’ll always have tits – they’ll either be softer or harder depending on how much I’m at the gym.

I used to be really negative about my body.

I remember in lockdown Arsenal conceded early and I stood up angry and walked to the fridge. I got there and thought, ‘What am I here for?’

It all comes from my mind. I used to think my body couldn’t do things, but really it was my mind telling me I couldn’t.

Now I feel a lot more confident going into the gym.

MH: Does feeling fit make a difference to your job?

RB: I think it gives me more confidence.

If you go out and feel like the clothes are fitting you well, you’re going on TV and you feel comfortable and confident, you’ll do a better job.

It’s not that I’m bothered about what I look like.

It’s more if I run for a bus, I feel strong, I get there and I’m not out of breath. I like that feeling.

At the moment I feel a bit heavy because I’ve not been to the gym, but I enjoy feeling fit more than looking fit.

The six-pack is overrated. The effort you have to go to is life-consuming. It’s not sustainable forever for anyone.

I actually prefer certain boxers’ bodies because they’re used for something. A functional, muscular body. Absolutely shredded is just too much.

The only thing worse than never having a six-pack is having one and losing it.

MH: If someone copied your daily routine for a week, what’s the one habit they’d keep?

RB: Electrolytes before a coffee has really helped me. You realise, ‘Oh, I’m dehydrated, not exhausted.’ That was a real game changer.

I think what people would struggle with is my hours and the lack of routine because every day is completely different.

That’s why I’m really trying to have a set routine when I wake up.

If you get up, go for a run, have a shower, take the kids to school and have some good eggs or porridge, by 10 o’clock you’ve won that part of the day.

I’ve done my exercise, I’m clean and fresh and I’ve eaten well. It gives you a good level to go from.

Holiday Inn Express and Rob Beckett are unpacking The Great Wake Up Debate, uncovering the morning habits people refuse to compromise on. From blackout curtains and pillow preference to hot or cold breakfasts, Holiday Inn Express is helping guests wake up ready for whatever the day brings. Join in the debate by visiting ihg.com/greatwakeupdebate, and to book your next stay, visit ihg.com/holidayinnexpress

Isaac Williams is Site Editor for both Women’s Health UK and Men’s Health UK, guiding and supporting the content teams to create content across all platforms. Isaac’s love of health and fitness began at Loughborough University, where he graduated with a History and English degree in 2014. His first job was at Men’s Running magazine, where he progressed from Staff Writer to Editor. Among his highlights of those four years include completing a 24-hour track race (never again), just about finishing a multi-day ultramarathon in the Azores, and chugging his way around a ‘beer mile’. Isaac ventured into the world of freelance journalism in 2018, interviewing some of the biggest names in sport – like Anthony Joshua and Ben Stokes – and writing features for the likes of The Guardian, Red Bull, ShortList and BBC Countryfile. He was also a regular contributor to an adventure series called ‘The Man Who’: speaking to some of the world’s most extreme explorers from the wilds of Caffè Nero. In late-2019, Isaac became Editor of Men’s Fitness UK. In his five years there, Isaac was responsible for editing the monthly magazine and managing website content, ultimately helping the brand transition to a ‘digital-first’ approach. He joined Hearst UK as Multiplatform Editor in December 2024, where he manages day-to-day digital output, edits content and writes articles on all things health and fitness. When he’s not hammering at his keyboard, Isaac enjoys exercise and trying –  unsuccessfully, so far – to teach his baby son to kick a football. You can follow Isaac on Instagram @isaacw1993.