The Championship is well-known across the continent as being one of the most demanding physically, which plays its part in the spectacle that it is.

And although what separates the title challengers from the next set of teams is skill, to be able to compete at all you need incredible levels of fitness.

Teams coming down from the Premier League have in the past been taken back by the sheer work rate of the Championship, and many are simply unable to cope with the extra matches.

In the second tier, almost every week you have to play Tuesday-Saturday, and that is without the sometimes unreasonable scheduling due to TV, or playing Friday-Monday over Easter Weekend and other times like that.

All this is to factor in before the cup competitions are taken into account, with teams like Middlesbrough and Hull have had extended runs in those competitions this season.

So, here are FIVE of the fittest midfielders in the Sky Bet Championship.......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE BEST MIDFIELD ENGINES!

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George Boyd

George 'running man' Boyd is probably the fittest player in the whole of English football, and whilst Burnley were in the Premier League last season, he placed highly in a Telegraph study which found the fittest players in the top flight.

His game is based on sheer work rate, and that has payed off, as he has been crucial in his team's ascent to currently being joint-top of the table on points. And it's not as if the Scot has only played a few games either; he's started 40 and came on in another two to cap a pretty decent season.

His goal and assist in the game against Birmingham a few weeks ago shows that he is able to contribute to his team's attack to, making the 30-year old one of the biggest assets to Sean Dyche's team.

Beram Kayal

The Israeli international has been a crucial part of Brighton's title bid this season, and has featured 41 times from a possible 44. He has also been involved in nine of his team's goals, and has played a major hand in stopping opponents and the Albion back four has rarely been exposed thanks to Kayal.

Considered by pretty much everyone who has picked a team of the season, the 27-year old also made the difference for his team in their last game against Charlton, winning man of the match and providing an assist.

Should Brighton end up in the Premier League next season, Kayal is likely to be a reason behind this astonishing campaign for Chris Hughton's men.

Adam Clayton

The Middlesbrough midfielder is highly experienced in the Football League after coming through the Manchester City youth setup, and was perhaps slightly unlucky not to be a part of Mark Hughes's team.

He spent time on loan at Carlisle and Leeds, before signing permanently for the Peacocks in 2010, where he spent more time on loan at Peterborough and MK Dons. He has featured in 41 of 'Boro's matches this term, and found himself in the PFA Championship team of the year.

He won man of the match in his last game versus Ipswich, and whilst he has only played a hand in two goals, that is not his main role in this team. Interrupting the play and turning defence into attack is what Clayton does best, and he has certainly done well at that this season.

Liam Bridcutt

Bridcutt is well-known for his fitness, and whilst he has only played 23 times in the league for Leeds this season, he has done well when Steve Evans has put him in the spotlight.

Of the last ten games that the 26-year old has appeared in (in all competitions), Leeds have lost just four, which shows that they look a better team with the man on-loan from Sunderland in it.

He will be disappointed that he has only contributed one assist to his team's attack, but has played mostly in defensive midfield this season.

Oliver Norwood

The former Manchester United youngster signed for Reading from Huddersfield in August 2014, and hasn't looked back since. With 48 appearances in all competitions this season, and three goals and twelve assists, Norwood has been a crucial member of this Royals side.

What's more, this isn't even is main role. Norwood anchors the midfield incredibly well, and interrupting play is what he does best. For this role, he has to be incredibly fit, and he steps up to the plate in this mark.

With 26 caps for his national team, he has also been important in helping Northern Ireland make it to the European Championships this summer.

Championship fans, do you agree? Are there any others you would add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!