Mel C has opened up about the real story behind her famously sculpted physique — and the surprising attitudes towards fitness within the Spice Girls during their peak years.
Now 52, the star — known worldwide as Sporty Spice — insists that staying fit isn’t just a routine, but a core part of her identity, saying fitness is a huge part of who she is.
Fans were recently stunned when Mel showcased her incredibly toned body on the cover of her upcoming album Sweat, appearing more like a powerhouse athlete than a pop icon. But behind that striking image lies years of discipline — and a routine that’s anything but casual.
She revealed that her regular schedule includes three weightlifting sessions per week, combined with cardio such as spin classes or workouts on her Peloton. She also tries to run weekly, although she admits she has to be careful with longer distances as she gets older due to the impact on her joints.
Even with a hectic touring schedule, Mel refuses to compromise. She brings resistance bands and a skipping rope on the road, ensuring she can train wherever she is. Pre-show workouts have also become part of her ritual, typically involving stretching and strength training before stepping on stage.
However, she was quick to clarify that her ultra-defined look for the Sweat album wasn’t her everyday reality. In the lead-up to the shoot, she followed a far more intense regime — training twice a day and carefully tracking her nutrition. She admitted, “I don’t look like that 24/7.”
Looking back at the Spice Girls era, Mel revealed that not all members shared her passion for fitness. While she and Geri Horner would head to the gym together, others in the group were far less enthusiastic.
She recalled that when they were younger, some bandmates would simply roll over and go back to sleep while she and Geri went to work out. She added that there were definitely Spice Girls who disliked exercise at the time, though many have embraced it later in life.
Mel also shed light on the intense pressure the group faced regarding their appearance. Back then, the focus was on being very slim rather than strong, and she admitted that they were all nervous about “getting bulky,” as the desired aesthetic was thinness above all else.
Behind the scenes, the scrutiny took a toll. Mel has previously spoken about struggling with body image during her time in the band, even being labelled “the plain one at the back.” In her autobiography, she revealed she developed restrictive eating habits and an unhealthy obsession with exercise as a way to cope.
By the early 2000s, she reached breaking point, later admitting she had developed a binge-eating disorder without fully understanding it at the time. Eventually, she sought professional help and was diagnosed with clinical depression and disordered eating — a turning point that marked the start of her recovery.
Now in her fifties, Mel says she feels stronger and more confident than ever. She explained that it took years to reach this point, but turning 50 brought a new sense of empowerment, saying you care far less about outside opinions and feel freer to embrace who you are.
She added that strength training has transformed not just her body but her mindset, giving her a powerful “I can do anything” attitude.
With her new album Sweat set for release on May 1 and a world tour planned across North America, Europe, and Australia later this year, Mel is proving that strength — both physical and mental — only grows with time.
She also hinted that a Spice Girls reunion could still be on the cards, revealing she remains in close contact with her former bandmates and would love to celebrate what they created together once again.
