PHOTOS EMERGED A few days ago of Gareth Bale looking seriously bulky after his first full pre-season with Real Madrid and people went pretty crazy. In case you didn’t see it, here is a funny comparison between now and his younger days.

Many people were curious as to what Bale did to achieve such a muscular frame. Had he been pumping iron all summer? Was he bench pressing the Champions League trophy? Did he follow Carles Puyol’s lead and acrobatically balance his girlfriend?

Turns out, he just did a few laps. (1.15 in)

So all he did was subscribe to the Mick O’Dwyer regimen of laps, laps and more laps. I really enjoyed the journalist who ended his question with a fearful “Have you called a halt to it now?” as if Bale’s bulking was getting out of control.

Apparently the initial photo was taken at a flattering angle but it is still a very surprising explanation for those muscles. I’ll choose to believe Bale, unlike many, many people who commented under that Youtube video with accusations that I won’t repeat for fear of hearing from Bale’s solicitors.

Wouldn’t it be great to come back from a jog looking like that though?

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