Wizard ofwishaw is in a spin ahead of Belfast opener
Sl im- l i ne Sco t Jo h n Higgins has become “a d d i c t e d” to spi n classes.
The snooker heavyweight has dropped three- and- ahalfstones since May’s World Championship, where he complained he’d been struggling to breathe.
The Wizard of Wishaw started spinning with wife, Denise, in the summer – and
now goes to classes three or four times a week.
“I just seem to be a little bit addicted to them,” admitted the f o u r - t i me wo r l d champion, who plays Joe O’connor in the Northern Ireland Open today.
“I go three or four times a week. I enjoy getting up in the morning, and doing an hour of training.
“I’ve lost about three-andhalf-stone to take my weight down to about 12 stones.
“I was too heavy for how small a guy I am. You don’t see it in yourself. It is amazing.
“A lot of people ask if I feel better. I do feel a bit better, but I’ll wait and see.”
Many of Higgins’ rivals are fitness fanatics away from the green baize.
Six- time World champion, Ro n n i e O ’ Su l l i va n , and winning machine, Judd Trump, regularly run.
Current UK champion Neil Robertson is vegan, whilst Kyren Wilson has a specific diet he follows from brother, Taylor, who is a qualified personal trainer.
But 46- year- old Higgins is adamant his weight loss won’t help him on the table.
“Spin classes are not helping me pot balls, but are helping me lose weight,” he said.
“It is for my whole wellbeing, really. I couldn’t see that I was getting steadily bigger.
“You are happy with your life, and who do you have to look good for? I have my wife and my kids. But it is a good thing I’ve started doing it.”
And after seven weeks off between events, Higgins knows he will now have to balance travelling to tournaments with his new healthy lifestyle.
He added: “It will be tough because when I am starting to travel to tournaments again, I will need to find some spin classes there, or go on the bikes in the hotels.
“A lot of the boys do running, and that is easier. I’ll need to have a scout about different cities to see if there are any spin classes there.”
Ahead of getting back on the table, Higgins is downbeat about his chances at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.
The veteran has been beaten up by practice partner, Stephen Maguire, at the training base they share with compatriot, Anthony Mcgill, ahead of this week’s event.
“I’m not feeling too good, to be honest,” admitted Higgins.
“I’ve just been picking balls out for Stephen for about the last week, so I’m n ot lo o king f o r ward to Belfast at all.
“We knew we had six or seven weeks off, so I’ve only been back practicing for a couple of weeks.
“I’ve just been doing what most of the boys have been doing, and put my cue away.”