READY FOR THE PAIN!

Nov 14 2007 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GIANTS star Ryan Hudson is ready to endure physical pain – in the name of charity.

The 27-year-old has agreed to be forced to undergo a training session by a member of the public for Children In Need, as long as the price is right.

The session will take place at his gym, 5starfitness based in Castleford, with the individual who bids the highest amount getting the chance to put a trainer to the ultimate physical test.

As well as Hudson, the gym has a number of other personal trainers, including fellow professional rugby league players Jamie Field (the former Giants forward), Mark Field and Waine Pryce.

And with two winning bids available – the highest is to put a trainer through pain for 15 minutes and the second highest for 10 minutes – it’s possible, Hudson may not be chosen for the ‘Torture a Trainer’ challenge.

But the Huddersfield hooker admits he would be happy to be put through the pain barrier if it helps raise some charity cash.

“I’d obviously like to think I’m in pretty good nick,” said Hudson.

“Put it this way, if I’m not, I think Sharpy (Giants coach Jon Sharp) might have a few things to say when I report back for pre-season training next week!

“But in the near future, someone will have the chance to see for themselves by putting me through my paces, and I’d be happy to go along with it.

“I’ve got a number of clients under my command and, with the way I sometimes make them suffer, I know some of them would love to get their own back!

“Yet it’s possible an individual outside the gym, maybe a Giants fan or supporter from another club, would like to see me suffer. It just depends on who puts in the highest bid.

“Because we’ve got quite a few trainers at the gym it’s also possible I could escape any ‘punishment’.

“Personally, I want to see Jamie suffering, and I’ve already pledged £50 to beast him up.

“But, at the end of the day, I’m sure the bids will be won by members of the public, and the bigger the bid, the better.

“For a while now we’ve been thinking about an alternative way to raise cash for Children In Need, and we think this is the most novel way.”

The ‘Torture a Trainer’ challenge is just one of the items in a very hectic schedule for the former Castleford Tigers captain.

Hudson and gym partner Field are just about to open up a second gym in Leeds (just off junction 28 of the M62), while the Giants favourite is also bracing himself for a return to full training for Super League XIII next week, and he can’t wait!

“Preparing to return to training is always exciting,” he added.

“And, after the season we’ve just had, it’s more exciting than ever.

“Obviously, it’s also going to be busy on the gym front as well, but with Jamie being part-time at Featherstone I’m able to let him run the business on a day-to-day basis. It works really well.

“Having Jamie around takes a lot of pressure off me and means I can focus 100% on my commitments with the Giants.

“I’m expecting the start of pre-season training to be pretty demanding, because Sharpy sets such high standards.

“But, as I’ve said, I’m feeling in good shape and I can’t wait to get back working with the boys once again.

“I didn’t manage to have a pre-season last year because of my ban (he was suspended for two years for a drug-taking offence and couldn’t train with the team until January), so that makes this time around even more exciting.

“It was a fantastic feeling to reach the play-offs for the first time last season, but that’s just made us even more determined to do it again next season.

“It’s going to be tough, but that’s obviously got to be the aim.”

For anyone who would like to put in a bid to test Hudson’s fitness for Children In Need, please contact Ryan@5starfitness.co.uk.

OUCH! Giants star Ryan Hudson clashes in a full-blooded and painful challenge with Hull KR’s Ryan Tandy during a Super League clash last season. The Huddersfield hooker could soon be put through the pain barrier on a different front as part of a ‘Torture a Trainer’ challenge to help raise cash for Children In Need