Welcome! We’re excited that you’ve taken an interest in F3 Franklin. Below you will find a good bit of information that we hope you will find useful. If you still have questions, email us!
Before Your First Workout
- Read and understand the disclaimer. There are inherent risks that come with engaging in exercise. We are not professionals and everyone who participates in F3 events does so at their own risk.
- Find a workout location. For most people, a bootcamp workout from that list is a good starting point.
- We recommend bringing a pair of work gloves to protect your hands. Many of our exercise movements are done on concrete and asphalt; latex dipped gloves (such as these) from any hardware store are what most of us use. They are inexpensive, flexible, and durable.
At Your First Workout
- Arrive a few minutes early – we get started promptly and you don’t want to miss out. It will also give you a few minutes to talk to the local F3 PAX (what we call the men in attendance,) one of whom will stick close to you during your first workout.
- Modify as necessary – everyone pushes themselves as hard as they can, but in the beginning you might have to rest between exercises…that’s okay!
- Have fun – the workouts aren’t necessarily easy, but we make them fun so try to enjoy what’s going on around you and be proud of taking the first step to improving yourself!
This video from one of our local workouts shows some common exercises we do:
Is This Really Free? What’s the Catch?
It really is free. No one will ever ask you to pay money to attend an F3 workout. We are a group of local men who join together to exercise, have fellowship, and make a greater impact on our community. The ‘price’ we pay is that everyone has to share in leading the workouts (we aim for once a month.) And, we exercise outside, usually in public parks. There’s no AC or heat. If it is raining, we get wet. Most of us find these aren’t really ‘costs’, though, and are just another benefit of being in F3: another way to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones and grow as men.
What Did He Say?
If you just attended your first workout with us you might have left a little confused. You see, we have our own lingo for exercises. For example, a push-up is called a merkin. Jumping jacks are called side straddle hops. Don’t worry, in time it will be second nature to you! In the meantime, however, here is a link to the F3 Nation Exicon and Lexicon. The Exicon is a list of many of the exercises and what we call them. The Lexicon is a list of other words you might hear during your time with F3.
Circle of Trust
Every F3 workout ends with a circle of trust. The PAX (that’s what we call the men in attendance) gather in a circle and each states their born name, age and F3 Name. What’s an F3 Name? Well, an F3 name is a nickname that you will be given at your first workout. The QiC (the man leading the workout) will ask you to tell a little about yourself: profession, hobbies, a funny story, and anything else you would like to share. Based on that information you’ll be given a fitting name! This name will be carried with you at every F3 workout.
What are the Five Core Principles of F3?
Our workouts …
- Are free of charge
- Are open to all men
- Are held outdoors, rain or shine, heat or cold
- Are led by men who participate in the workout in a rotating fashion, with no training or certification necessary
- Always End with a Circle of Trust
We adhere to these principles in every thing we do. Rest assured we won’t stray from who we are.
So What Now?
The only thing left to do is come try us out. There is no growth in the comfort zone. I repeat, THERE IS NO GROWTH IN THE COMFORT ZONE! What does that mean? It means that to achieve the best version of yourself, you have to make yourself do something that you might initially find uncomfortable. Go beyond your preconceived boundaries and you’ll find a version of yourself that you never knew existed! We’ll help you get there and the only thing we ask in return is that you return the favor! All you have to do to get started is get up — probably a little earlier than normal — and show up with a willing attitude.