Actress Gemma Atkinson reveals how WEIGHTLIFTING is behind her incredible body transformation as she displays her honed new figure

  • Emmerdale actress has embarked on 12-week fitness programme
  • The 32-year-old has since been showing off her incredible body transformation
  • Now she has revealed her toned new figure is down to weightlifting 
  • Former glamour model said the exercise has 'created the curves she wants'
  • The star is ten weeks into her regime and is already thrilled with her physique  

By Naomi Ackerman For Mailonline

Published: 10:43, 13 July 2017 | Updated: 11:01, 13 July 2017

She keeps her fitness regime well-documented on social media, but some fans may be unaware of the change to her routine Gemma Atkinson credits with her newly honed figure.

The Emmerdale actress has revealed it was taking up weightlifting that has allowed her to overhaul her body in under three months and achieve the 'peachy bum' of her dreams.

The 32-year-old, who soared to fame on Hollyoaks back in 2001, embarked on a 12-week fitness programme in May and the actress, who is approaching her final fortnight, says the exercise has created the 'curves she wants'.

Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson, 32, has revealed that weightlifting has allowed her to create an incredible body transformation in under three months 

Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson, 32, has revealed that weightlifting has allowed her to create an incredible body transformation in under three months 

Gemma said she wanted to get stronger from weightlifting, but also to come away with a honed yet feminine shape.

The star particularly wanted a curvy bum - but added that she did not want to go 'too Kardashian', just to get a 'nice peach'.  

The star explained: 'I told my trainer, Steve, I wanted to activate my glutes more; every girl’s fear is just having a back with a crack, so I said to him "I want to have a nice peachy bum".

After ten weeks of gruelling work - pictured - which has left her shaking and struggling to walk to her car at times - the tough actress has managed to reach her glutes goal and attain her peachy bum

After ten weeks of gruelling work - pictured - which has left her shaking and struggling to walk to her car at times - the tough actress has managed to reach her glutes goal and attain her peachy bum

Lifting increasing weights and interspersing the reps with tailored cardio exercises has allowed Gemma to attain her desired peachy shape, before she has even completed the Ultimate Performance training course. 

After completing ten of the 12 weeks of gruelling work - which Gemma said has left her shaking and struggling to walk to her car at times - the determined actress has managed to reach her glutes goal.

The beauty said she is thrilled with her progress and with the effects she 'sees in the mirror every day', but has not always had such body confidence. 

But things were not always so easy. Gemma said: 'My nickname at school was "Thunderthighs" – it’s something my friends used to call me and it’s stuck'

But things were not always so easy. Gemma said: 'My nickname at school was "Thunderthighs" – it’s something my friends used to call me and it’s stuck'

The radio producer used to 'hate' her legs, but is now proud of their strength.

Gemma said: 'My nickname at school was "Thunderthighs" – it’s something my friends used to call me and it’s stuck.

'One of the guys I used to work with at Casualty, Matt, used to say I had legs like a cart horse!

'So I used to hate my legs. I used to think they were too muscly and too big; that’s why a lot of the time I’m always in jeans and trousers.

Through exercise Gemma has learned to appreciate her legs. She said: 'Now I’m learning to embrace them and just think: "You’ve got them, just get on with it! Learn to love yourself"'

Through exercise Gemma has learned to appreciate her legs. She said: 'Now I’m learning to embrace them and just think: "You’ve got them, just get on with it! Learn to love yourself"'

Honing her physique has entailed hours of sweating away in the gym for more than two months on a personalised programme

Honing her physique has entailed hours of sweating away in the gym for more than two months on a personalised programme

Gemma explained that not being able to lose weight from her legs is something she has 'learned to accept'.

'But now I’m like "These legs are amazing! I’ve just done a 90kg hip thrust and PB’d on the split squat!" 

'Now I’m learning to embrace them and just think: "You’ve got them, just get on with it! Learn to love yourself."

On returning from a brief week-long holiday towards the beginning, Gemma took just one more week off her routine before hitting the ropes 

On returning from a brief week-long holiday towards the beginning, Gemma took just one more week off her routine before hitting the ropes 

On returning from a brief week-long holiday towards the beginning of her course, Gemma took just one more week off her routine before hitting the weights.

She posted a 'back to gym' shot for her Instagram fans, writing: ‘My face says it all! 3.5 weeks down! 8 weeks to go! I got so chuffed seeing my mini ab definition only to be brought back to reality with evil Steve’s casual comment “yeh, they are definitely under there somewhere. Few more weeks and you’ll see them."'

Ripped: Last month, Gemma, who has embarked on a rigorous 12 week fitness programme, beamed while proudly showing off her taut stomach

Ripped: Last month, Gemma, who has embarked on a rigorous 12 week fitness programme, beamed while proudly showing off her taut stomach

And the weightlifting did not come easily. The actress has shared several videos of her progress, including one in which she can be seen appearing to struggle while lifting weights with the guidance of her trainer.

'This is by far one of my weakest exercises,' she captioned the clip. 'It's taken me a while to get my form correct and on the last few reps of the final set it always goes (as you can see).

'I need to work on not rounding my shoulders (a habit I've picked up from Muay Thai training) and also keep my chest and head up. Easier said then done when your muscles are fatigued but I'm working on it. In between coughing up a lung.'

  Gemma out and about last month in figure-hugging jeans showing off her gym-toned legs

  Gemma out and about last month in figure-hugging jeans showing off her gym-toned legs

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