A LIFETIME dedicated to body-building has paid-off for a gym owner who has been crowned Mr Universe.

Neale Cranwell, 33, the owner of Krunch Gym, in Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, muscled in on the action at the World Physique Federation Mr Universe competition winning first place in the heavyweight category after a year of gruelling training.

He said: “I surprised myself really. I've done Mr Universe before and finished in the top six but to actually win it was a fantastic achievement. It's something I've dreamt of winning since I was a child.

“It's probably the only sport where what you do in training isn't what you do in the competition. There's no lifting of weights or anything. You have to perform a number of poses showing as much muscle tissue and as little body fat as possible.”

Neale has been body-building for 12 years, overcoming a string of injuries and wining a hatful of wards including the British Heavyweight title.

He said: “The drive initially was just to get fit and into shape. Then it overtook that. Now it's the achievement of pushing the human body to its limits.

“You need a really positive mental attitude to go into the gym three times a day every day for six months. You are aching when you're in the gym, and afterwards too so you need a really clear goal in your head. When you achieve and make progress it's amazing.”

Neale's gym is currently holding a number of special membership offers. For more information visit krunchgym.co.uk