‘And the Next Top Trainer Is…’

College of the Holy Cross alumnus, Gideon Akande ’06 was named the Men’s Health Next Top Trainer after completing a series of competitions against other contestants.

In the series finale of the Men’s Health Next Top Trainer, Akande competed against two other finalists for the coveted prize: a starring role in a follow-along workout DVD and the opportunity to be an expert adviser for Men’s Health. For the final challenge, Akande needed to create a 20-minute workout to impress the judges.

Akande named his workout “Four Quarters,” a circuit of exercises to be completed four times with increasing difficulty. Throughout the workout, he pumped up participants with encouragement. The judges remarked that Akande was “engaging” and had “high-energy.” Ultimately, they decided he had more “charisma than the other contestants” and named him the winner.

“I am beyond blessed, I feel ecstatic right now, I’m jubilant, and I’m excited,” said Akande. “I know this is only the beginning, and I cannot wait to work with Men’s Health.” As a new representative and adviser of Men’s Health, Akande will have the opportunity to promote fitness and health for a wider audience.

Akande is from Chicago and majored in political science while at the College. He was a running back for the Holy Cross football team. Currently, he works as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

• Read the article and watch the final competition on Men’s Health. • Read more about Akande’s experience at Holy Cross in his Power of One profile.

This “Holy Cross in the News” item by Sarah Barrett ’18.