By Jo Cadell
Man V Fat is an innovative programme offering men the opportunity to lose weight by playing football.
There are currently around 85 members who attend every Wednesday evening. They meet up in the community room at Goals on Redcote Lane, Kirkstall to be weighed-in before
joining an assigned five-a-side team for a 30-minute match.
Attendees will find the venue awash with adrenaline and competitiveness, but also camaraderie.
Alex Vamplew 34, health coach, oversees weigh-ins and records the readings.
Alex has been involved with the Kirkstall branch of Man v Fat since 2023. His role is to
support men who want to lose weight. He said the scheme was created as men often feel
out of place in traditional weight loss groups.
Alex believes Man V Fat creates a space where men feel comfortable. He also believes although Man V Fat offers participants a lot more than just weight loss.
There is the chance to play football, meet other people and share their wins and losses, both on and off pitch.
It is a way to relax, to socialise, and have fun.
Unusually for a weight loss programme no diet is prescribed. Alex will step in and give advice if a member is struggling and wants help but on the whole men are responsible for creating their own diet plan.
Alex said: “We’re not telling guys what to do to lose weight, we’re not giving them a diet. We’re facilitating or empowering them to make their own mind up. People find their
own solutions. They’re the ones that stick.”
Despite not having a diet plan Man V Fat does provide incentives – it is not only on the pitch that goals are scored.
A player who has lost weight over the week will get half a goal – for every two players who lose weight the team scores a goal.
On the flip side, weight gain leads to own goals for the team. There are other ways to score (or be penalised), losing weight three weeks running, meeting percentage targets – “we make sure these are really celebrated” – maintaining target BMI and tracking weekly diets.
Individual achievements as well as team achievements are recognised at the end of each season when players are awarded medals and trophies to recognise their accomplishments.
There is no “type” of man who joins Man V Fat. Alex says: “The only thing the members have in common is that they like football and have a BMI of at least 27.5. There are some men wanting to lose a few pounds and be fitter and some have a BMI of over 40.
“Some have had Man V Fat recommended to them by their doctors.”
Nor is there an average age. Men must be over 18 but there is no upper age limit. The BMI is all that counts. No football experience or ability is required.
“You could get someone who used to play semi-pro and someone who has never kicked a ball but the programme is for everyone”, Alex says. He points out: “You get someone who
kicked the ball once when they were 16, that person can still score loads of goals off the pitch.”
He acknowledges it can be difficult to take the first step even just signing up for the programme and then turning up for the first session. Alex’s aim is to create a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome.
The teams are mixed up every three seasons to keep them fresh and allow members to meet new people. He added: “Everyone’s in the same boat. Even if someone has been here for 10 years, they’ll still have their first day where it was really hard.”
Two men taking the plunge are Nathaniel, 32 and Robbie, 40. Nathaniel hadn’t played
football since school but was encouraged to sign up by friends. He has been playing for six weeks and has already lost 3kg.
Nathaniel said: “We’re all here for the same reason, want to lose weight and have a laugh while we’re doing it. It’s one day of the week where I don’t just sit at home… but think ‘yes, football!’.”
Robbievis a chef and surrounded by temptation but has been playing football at Man V Fat for a year now. For him it is a no brainer. “I don’t like the gym. I like football.” His advice to anyone thinking about it is “go for it!”.
For anyone interested in finding out more about it all the information is available along with the registration details on the Man v Fat website here.
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