Just in case anyone had forgotten that Tom Daley remains one of the internet’s favorite thirst traps, the retired Olympic diver has returned with a workout video that leaves very little to the imagination.
Well, at least as little as social media guidelines will allow.
The former Olympian recently shared a shirtless workout clip that quickly had fans paying very close attention. Officially, the video was about fitness. Unofficially, viewers seemed equally interested in the fact that the former Olympian appeared determined to make those already short shorts even shorter.
Mission accomplished.
The video featured the knitting pro flexing, lifting, and showing off the results of his post-diving fitness journey from what felt like every conceivable camera angle. Front view? Check. Side profile? Check. Looking up from below? Also covered.
The comments section never stood a chance.
Tom Daley working out via Instagram 🫦 pic.twitter.com/xqCjoRMrGV
— culture (@notgwendalupe) May 30, 2026
Welcome to Tom Daley’s Muscle Era
Longtime fans have noticed that Tom looks noticeably different from the athlete who spent years flying through the air at the Olympic Games. During his competitive diving career, maintaining a very specific physique was essential. Divers need explosive power, flexibility, and incredible body control while remaining relatively light.
Speaking to Men’s Health, Tom explained that building muscle simply was not an option during his years of elite competition.
“Before, with diving training, I was very restricted with what I was able to do,” he said. “I had to stay very small, very flexible and very powerful.”
According to Daley, upper-body training was particularly limited because adding muscle to his shoulders, chest, or arms could affect his performance. Those restrictions disappeared once retirement arrived. Since stepping away from professional diving, Daley says he has gained roughly 20 pounds, or around nine kilograms, of muscle while maintaining a lean physique.
And yes, people have noticed.
The former Olympian now embraces weight training and apparently enjoys group workouts, which have helped contribute to his noticeably broader frame, fuller chest, and larger arms.
Not that anyone was staring.
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From Gold Medals to Wool
Of course, fitness is only one chapter of Daley’s increasingly fascinating second act.
These days, he has become just as recognizable for his knitting obsession as he is for his diving accomplishments.
The entrepreneur and founder of Made With Love by Tom Daley has successfully transformed a personal hobby into a thriving brand, helping bring knitting and crochet to entirely new audiences.
He’s also currently filming season two of Game of Wool, the crafting competition series that celebrates talented knitters and crocheters through creative challenges and ambitious projects.
To keep fans updated on production, Daley recently shared another video from the beach. And yes, he was shirtless. Again. Nobody is accusing him of inconsistency.
Retirement Has Never Looked Better
For many athletes, retirement can be a difficult adjustment. For Daley, it seems to have opened the door to entirely new passions, from fitness and fashion to knitting and television.
He remains one of the most visible LGBTQ+ sports figures in the world, continuing to attract fans with equal parts talent, charm, and authenticity.
And while Game of Wool season two may be the official reason Daley is making headlines, it’s safe to say plenty of people were equally invested in the workout video.
After all, when a six-time Olympic medalist shares a shirtless gym update featuring tiny shorts, impressive muscles, and approximately every camera angle imaginable, the internet is going to do what the internet does best.
Look respectfully. Or at least pretend to.