No man should grow old and die without ever knowing the beauty of strength and physical fitness that's available to each and every able-bodied person. Especially MEN!! There are no excuses that suffice. There are no reasons that relieve that burden of truth. This post is both an inquiry, as well as a means to cull those who have no intention of engaging with this community. Quality is more important than quantity of members. I want this platform to consist of men of action... With physical fitness being the foundational base required to carry the burden of being a complete man, what is your personal level of physical fitness and readiness? What are you doing to improve upon those skill sets?

Hello brothers, I'm not much of a writer but here goes. Last week I joined this community because I resonate with Pauls no BS view on reality and wish to develop some of the qualities that he talks about. I'm grateful that Paul decided to create something like this and hopefully we can all grow together, share experiences and find some meaning and purpose in this thing called life. Fitness wise I'm out of shape and Paul was kind enough to offer his guidance and support. Since Thursday I have been working out to become more fit and athletic. Paul gave me a simple and basic routine to do and to keep accountable I'm gonna start posting the numbers here. The routine is pushups, chinups, squats and situps done as a circuit 3 times with around 45s rest between exercises and 3m rest between sets. This is alternated with some running or biking. I also took the liberty to include swimming as an option. The numbers: 09.01.2025 1 set: 25 pushups, 4 chin-ups, 25 squats, 25 situps 2 set: 20 pushups, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 20 situps 3 set: 12 pushupus, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 15 situps 10.01.2025 The plan was to go running after work but a severe snowstorm hit and blew that plan away. Instead I did a 25m shadow boxing workout at home that I found online. It got my heart rate up and sweat going so it was better then nothing. 11.01.2025 1 set: 28 pushups, 5 chin-ups, 25 squats, 25 situps 2 set: 21 pushups, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 20 situps 3 set: 15 pushupus, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 15 situps 12.01.2025 Went running. It was more difficult then I anticipated. Haven't done running for years and was panting fairly quickly. Did a 20m run with quite slow pace. Plan to increase it as the body keeps adapting to the strain. 13.012025 1 set: 26 pushups, 4 chin-ups, 25 squats, 25 situps 2 set: 22 pushups, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 20 situps 3 set: 18 pushupus, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 18 situps Overall body is tired and sore. Next two days will be rest and recovery and then I'll continue pushing 💪.

Two months a ago a suffered a hand injury in jujitsu in my in my left hand went to see a hand specialist he explained to me that with out the surgery I will not be able to use my left hand I have what Is called CMC injury and I have gone through two staph infections bottom line is keep fighting and keep moving never give up I love to work out and I love to train hard it has helped thru my anxiety and my PTSD I have a ten mile trail run in Naples Fl on Feb strength and honor keep fighting

One of the hardest things about beginning a strength and conditioning program is knowing where to start. There are so many different variables to consider, along with an equal number of opinions on how to accomplish those variables. It's enough to make someone quit before they even start. At my gym, one of the ways we break the monotony of our training, is to play "Poker." All that you need is a deck of cards. That's it! But it's better if you've got a group to share in the suffering with you. The coolest part about this approach is the flexibility built within. For those who wish to venture into the chaos, alone, the basic overview is the following: Come up with the 4 main exercises and one auxiliary exercise. Assign each of the main exercises to a suit in the deck. (For example, spades= push ups.) The auxiliary exercise will be your joker. Face cards are assigned repetition range according to training goal, numbered cards are performed for that many reps. From there, you flip your card and do your work. It is absolutely BRUTAL!!! For those who wish to have a personalized training block designed and tracked, visit our classroom section and click on "GLADIATOR POKER." After an initial consultation to establish your current fitness level and goals, the program will be delivered via our app. Either way, if you choose to accept this challenge, share your results here as you go. Now, Go Get Some!

Today is "National Quitters Day" in America. What this alludes to is the fact that the majority of people who set resolutions for change and a new life have abandoned those goals by the second Friday of January. They should rename the first as "National Liars Day." For those who decide to go to the gym to make change in their lives, many have no idea what they're doing. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people do the same things, for months, sometimes years, with nothing to show but a perfect attendance record. One of the main problems is comfort. It's easy to do the things we're "good" at. In this case, it's easier to do what's easy. For instance, it's much easier to do leg extensions than squats, deadlifts, or lunges. How do you know if you're a strong man? That all depends on what you consider to be "strong." For some, it's how much you can bench press. But what does that translate to in real life, other than bragging rights with the bros? Some think it's being able to run forever. How does that play out when strength is required? I have come to believe that strength that matters, a man should be capable of doing whatever is required. He should be able to run for a mile, then pick up his bodyweight and carry it. I recently saw some data that shined a light on my current weakness. However, it was in comparison to the top 10% of men in speed, strength and endurance. I checked every box in the top 10 percentile, except one. This gave me the information I needed to see where I need to focus some work. Do your own inventory and see where you rank. Run 1 Mile: 7 minutes or under Run 400 meters: 1:15 or under Run 100 meters: 14 seconds or under Squat: 1.5x bodyweight Deadlift: 2x bodyweight Chin Up: 15+ Push Ups: 40+ At 54 years of age, the only thing that I cannot check off, with confidence is the mile run. I seriously doubt that I could run a mile, without stopping at this point. That has already started the process of fixing that weakness in my physical armor.