Andrej Mangold: From Six-Pack to Beer Belly — why he gained 10 kilos and how he will move forward

Short break from training — and suddenly ten kilos more

If you follow Andrej Mangold on Instagram, you have seen it in recent weeks: the former professional athlete suddenly weighed noticeably more than usual, as reported in Andrej Mangold: From Six-Pack to Beer Belly — why he gained 10 kilos and how he will move forward. The 38-year-old, 1.90 m tall, is currently around 98 kilograms — roughly ten kilos above his normal range. Not a dramatic medical issue, but noticeable for someone who maintained a well-trained look for years.

How it happened

The reasons are pragmatic: filming for a TV show, then a necessary operation on the left middle finger and simply a break from sport. Mangold himself says he deliberately gave himself some leeway and was more lax with his nutrition — "0.0 on nutrition," to put it that way. Sounds human, is human. I come across such stories here on the island again and again: jobs, injuries, and suddenly the gym routine is gone.

The weight gain is most evident around the stomach, which has become softer — not the end of the world, he stresses. More important than the numbers is how you feel. That matches what many people here think: health before vanity.

The plan back to the beach body

After medical clearance, Mangold is now allowed to slowly start training again. The goal: to feel better by the turn of the year — and of course to be photo-ready for the beach. He apparently plans a mix of moderate strength training and a more disciplined diet, not a crash program. That sounds sensible. Anyone who has had to pause because of an injury knows: the return should happen step by step.

I find the openness interesting. In a time when influencers often only show the best moments, it's refreshing when someone also shares the messy weeks. On Mallorca, where he owns a house in the south of the island and is often seen, fans comment with sympathy and tips — from rehab exercises to lower-calorie recipe ideas, as other locals such as Johann Ackermann: Triathlete, Cat Dad and Mallorca's New Training Ambassador illustrate.

More than just weight

The story is not just a celebrity anecdote. It serves as a reminder that body images are allowed to fluctuate and that recovery sometimes does not correspond to the ideal image. Mangold has already mentioned the operation: without the intervention, the middle finger would likely have been permanently affected. Health comes before aesthetics — that is the real message.

Will the old six-pack photos be back in January? Maybe. Until then: a little leniency, some training and the island air as a bonus. I'll stay curious — and who knows, you might soon see him jogging along Playa de Palma.