Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley walked into Studio J at the start of this season with new bods. Shaq’s been working out since 2021 to get into his championship fit and jumpstart his Tom Brady-inspired Instagram model era. As for Chuck, he struggled with his weight for years before finally getting it under control this year. He went from 352 lbs to around 290 lbs and is now at 252 lbs, he’s at his lightest. Meanwhile, Shaq went from 400 lbs to 324 lbs and plans to go further. The numbers make Chuck seem more successful at their personal weight loss goals. Yet the TNT crew decided he needed to get fitter.

Stemming from a discussion the Inside Guys had about Chuck or Shaq possibly breaking the chairs under their bodies, Barkley alleged he’s lighter than them. That’s why the TNT crew’s go-to trainer, Jermaine Harris was in the studio to put Chuck through the grind. He designed the most Chuckster-specific course to get him into shape and each of the Inside Guys came in support.

Nutrition expert, Kenny “The Jet” Smith was the first obstacle to help Chuck overcome his lack of constraint from eating donuts. Barkley was surprisingly good at not eating those glazed perfections between stacking them on different ends of the course.

At the next stage, he did his worst “Hammer Time” dance and was out of breath peddling in his third stage. The mental training wasn’t left out as Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie made a show of eating the donuts around him.

It built up to the ‘Diesel Stage,’ the highlight Chuck had been looking forward to. “We’re gonna kill some roaches,” he said in reference to his rival from ESPN who made an enemy out of the entire TNT family, Kendrick Perkins. They stuck his face on a sandbag for Chuck to punch the living daylights out of. Shaq stood on standby with a water gun to provide reinforcement if necessary. But that wasn’t needed.

For context, Perkins accused Shaq and Chuck of not watching basketball games. In turn, Shaq, TNT, and Chuck reacted in turns. Chuck claimed they kill roaches at the studio instead of watching games. Shaq also got a few hits in, both at Perk and Chuck’s face. After all, he’s got to stay fit too.

Roasting Shaq cost Chuck

While O’Neal enlisted IFBB trainer, Roc Shabazz to get him into shape, Barkley turned to Mounjaro, a diabetes medication that helps in weight management. During his NBA career, he was notorious for snacking and not working out enough. Something he’s been on Zion Williamson’s case about. His reliance on medication to manage his weight has become a running joke at TNT

Chuck kept demanding, “Why am I the only one doing this?” though TNT’s intent is obvious. During Game 1 coverage this week, Barkley claimed, “You ain’t lighter than me, fata**,” to Shaq’s face. Yes, 6’6″ Barkley weighs less than 7’1″ Shaq, but O’Neal is the one building up abs right now while Barkley still can’t resist donuts and Diet Coke.

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That moment sealed Chuck’s fate to work out as hard as Shaq does. But we also love the Round Mound of Rebound the way he is.