Upcoming PDC World Championship hopeful Ross Smith has revealed how his own fitness journey – that once saw him mocked by competitors – is inspiring other darts players to get in shape.
Rewind to the age of Covid-19 restrictions when gyms were closed, outside journeys were limited and stay-at-home fitness classes were more popular than ever; Smith decided to try something new.
When professional darts matches resumed under heavy restrictions and spectators weren’t allowed into venues, Smith began running around different arenas in an effort to lose weight.
His unusual running regime caught the attention of other players who Smith says jokingly ‘took the p**s’, but now his dedication is rubbing on off on other arrow throwers.
Gone are the days of players drinking beer on stage inside a smoke-filled venue and now fitness is playing a bigger part than ever before as the likes of Gerwyn Price demonstrate the value in being in shape at the oche.
Former European champion, Smith, is keen to get others involved in shedding the pounds in search of maximums on the board and explained how crucial exercise has become in the lifestyle of a professional darts star.
Upcoming PDC World Championship hopeful Ross Smith has revealed how his own fitness journey is inspiring other players
Smith revealed how he started exercising during Covid-19 and highlighted the benefits losing weight has had on his mental outlook
Explaining his fitness journey, Smith said: ‘I used to be really overweight – I still am a little bit and I don’t have a fine physique – but staying fit helps with my mentality.
‘When I have done some sort of exercise, I feel fresh and ready to attack the day. Some players go to me, ‘Cor, aren’t you knackered after that?’ No, if anything it wakes me up. I do it for mental health benefits and it’s important you keep yourself fit and active regardless.
‘I started doing it about four years ago during lockdown. I turned up at Coventry and Milton Keynes when we were playing tournaments behind closed doors and I started running around the stadium.
‘There was a few players out at the front there, not mentioning any names, taking the p*** out of me a bit and shouting, ‘Go on fatty, do another lap, what time do you call this?’ Now, slowly, I have noticed that a fair few now, are joining me. Damon Heta has massively got into his running. I know Luke Woodhouse is posting stuff in the gym,’ he added.
The 35-year-old continued to highlight the difficulties professional players face in eating healthy when travelling around the world for competitions.
A hectic travel schedule sees the likes of Luke Littler split their time between playing in England, Europe and further afield across Asia meaning meals often come as fast food or on-the-go.
Smith believes that places an even greater importance on exercising and highlighted how being fitter has helped him become a much improved player heading into the Ally Pally showpiece.
The likes of Luke Littler face a hectic playing schedule travelling around the world
Smith highlighted how exercising has helped him improve as a player heading into the world championship
‘A lot of players are trying to keep themselves fit. Our lifestyle – flying here, there and everywhere – sometimes you haven’t got an option of great food. It can be 10pm at night, you arrive at a hotel in Germany and literally they don’t have any food on a Sunday night,’ he added.
‘I am there trying to prepare for a quarter-final and it’s not the greatest of lifestyles. I think it’s important in this day and age you keep yourself fit and healthy.
‘Back when it was Eric Bristow, darts was a completely different game, but darts has evolved and the PDC have done amazing to get it where it is now.
‘Since I have got fitter, I definitely think it has helped massively because I come back to darts from driving a lorry, I had not won a thing. Never even hit the latter stages of tournaments, nothing. I was about 19 stone at 24, 25 years old. Now I have dropped down to 14 or 15st,’ said Smith.