Welcome Friendly New Guy. FNG, that’s going to be your name the first time you join us in the gloom of the early morning for an F3 Beatdown. Here’s what you are going to need to know. Got questions? We communicate on Slack. Join our community here
It starts at 5:30 a.m.
Ah, the biggest barrier to showing up. We know it sounds crazy-and it sounds weird saying this, but you will come to genuinely love waking up early and getting a jump start on your day.
You’ll also love the time you get to yourself without emails, kids, spouses, and daily life creeping in. F3 is a break from all of that.
It’s a 45 minute boot-camp style workout.
F3 is a a peer-lead, non-professional boot camp-style workout.
Everyday is different (depending on who is leading) but the exercises are typically running, pushups, jumping jacks, burpees, stuff like that — and then there are the cinder blocks. These are affectionately called coupons. Extra workout for half the price (which is free by the way).
It’s always outside – usually at a park or school.
We literally meet in parking lots of parks and schools around St. Charles County. I got to tell you, those places where your kids play baseball look completely different at 5:30 a.m.
A core principle of F3 is that the workouts are always held outdoors. It’s dark, quiet, and wonderful. We call it “The Gloom.”
No one will yell at you. It’s not a competition. It’s just you versus you.
So if you’re imagining a drill Sargent yelling at you to do pushups, you’ve got it all wrong. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite of that.
The men of F3 St. Charles are here to encourage you, whatever your ability, age or fitness level.
We have the saying “Leave no man behind, but leave him better than you found him.”
So no yelling. Just the occasional fist bump.
It’s completely free. No strings.
So yeah, F3 is a free men’s workout. There is nothing to buy. No up sell, or cult to join. There’s no points or rewards (other than personal fitness, friendships, and mental well being). No affiliate program or multi-level pyramid of recruitment incentives. It’s just simply free.
There is nothing to rent. No one to pay. Just a group of guys that come together at 5:30 a.m.
It has nothing to do with religon.
F3 stands for Fitness, Fellowship & Faith®.
The faith thing can be a turn off to some men – so let’s unpack it a little. F3 is not a Christian organization. A lot of men in the group are, but F3 itself has nothing to do with any religion.
We end every workout with a positive thought for the day. It could be a reflection or perspective from whomever is leading the workout. Some may call that a prayer. Whatever you call it, it’s food for the soul.
Our version of faith isn’t to get you to join a church – we just want you to believe in something bigger than yourself. Even if it’s the man next to you.
It’s all ages. There are men from 22 – 65.
F3 is open to all men. We don’t care if you’re in your 20s or 70s, you have a place here. The nature of our workouts is you versus you. No matter your age, F3 will have you push yourself, without hurting yourself.
Besides, there are some 60 year olds in the group who put us all to shame. Respect, Respect.
There are multiple locations around St. Charles.
F3 St. Charles is held on some of the finest parking lots and parks around. Legacy Park, Laurel Park, Liberty High School.
We keep expanding in every direction. Chances are there is a location only a 15-minute drive from your house. That means you can sleep in until 5 a.m.
But I can’t do a burpee! I haven’t worked out in years.
Wait, wait. Let me make sure I understand. You can’t do push ups? You’re not a runner? You’re about 50 lbs. overweight? You’ve never worked out in your life and you don’t know how? You’re maybe a little embarrassed by your physical condition?
Perfect. Start tomorrow. There will be other men there in the same boat as you. No one will judge you on your shape — and they won’t try to “motivate you” into shape.
They will just be by your side during the workout, and probably offer you coffee afterwards. You got this.