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Carlton Cole leaving nothing to chance as former Chelsea, West Ham and England hotshot looks for a new club and a new challenge

In a converted warehouse on a nondescript Feltham industrial estate, the one-time Premier League hotshot takes a deep breath, focuses his mind and begins the next gruelling set of reps.

This is not your ordinary gym. There's no plasma televisions, fruit smoothies, motivational posters or sympathy here.

Just racks of impossibly heavy weights, some scary-looking straps and harnesses, thick ropes and, for reasons that aren't entirely clear, a sledgehammer.

Carlton Cole, pictured at the CrossFit Ivy gym in Feltham, is looking for his next club and his next challenge in football at the age of 33
Carlton Cole, pictured at the CrossFit Ivy gym in Feltham, is looking for his next club and his next challenge in football at the age of 33
Cole enjoyed nine successful years with West Ham, playing in 293 games for the club
Cole enjoyed nine successful years with West Ham, playing in 293 games for the club
The striker was also capped seven times for England during 2009 and 2010
The striker was also capped seven times for England during 2009 and 2010

'You've got to be prepared to put yourself on the pain threshold and make the pain threshold go higher!