If you are thinking about going to an F3 Spring Hill workout (or any other F3 workout), it is helpful to know what to expect from your first time. Here are a few notes to help you get started.
Is F3 Spring Hill really free?
Yes. No catch.
All F3 Spring Hill workouts are free of charge and open to all men (ages 18+). We meet seven days a week in Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station. There is no sign-up process or membership forms to fill out. Just show up at the appointed time and place. We welcome men of all fitness levels to our workouts.
We are simply providing workouts for free with the mission to invigorate male community leadership.
Where will you guys be?
Visit our Free Workout Locations page to pick which workout is best for you. When you show up, we will be easy to find because we are usually the only people in the park that early. Walk up and introduce yourself as a Friendly New Guy or FNG. It may seem odd walking up to a bunch of strangers this early in the morning, but don’t worry. You will find F3SH to be one of the friendliest, most welcoming groups around. We have even gotten people riding by on their bikes to stop and workout with us!
Can I bring my kids to a workout?
Our weekday workouts are only for men ages 18+. However, we do allow fathers to bring their sons (AKA 2.0s) to some of our Saturday workouts. The only requirements are that he be old enough to participate and not cause disruption, and that the dad must be present at all times.
What’s with the goofy names?
You will find that a lot of F3 revolves around goofy names and acronyms for people and exercises. We have a nickname for almost everything we do. As an FNG, this can feel a little daunting. You will quickly get used to it. You will get your F3 name after your first workout, and you will pick up on everything else as you go. Don’t understand what we are doing? Just ask. It may sound like we are speaking a foreign language at first, but you will get the hang of it with the help of the guys around you, the Lexicon, and the Exicon. For a quick start, we have a page of Basic Terminology to get you started.
What should I bring?
All you need to bring is an open mind and a positive attitude. Wear your regular outdoor workout clothes and something you don’t mind getting dirty. Consider bringing a pair of gloves. The workouts happen in good weather and bad. Often, we get wet. Just plan on it and prepare accordingly. We do recommend avoiding cotton clothing (shirts, socks, etc.) as they can cause issues when wet.
Wear shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the workout you have chosen. Sites like our Memorial WODs or Bootcamps are a mixture of running and exercises, so wear shoes that work well for a wide range of activity. We also have road running, trail running, and rucking sites we may create the need for different shoes.
You will also probably want to bring a bottle of water and a towel.
What are the workouts like?
Each workout is different, but there are some elements that are common to each. The Q (the term for the person leading the workout) will start the workout by giving a welcome, including our standard disclaimer. After that, we will do a warm-up and then go into the exercises. All of our workouts will start on time and end on time, so you don’t have to worry about being late for work. We do sometimes hang around in the parking lot and drink coffee together afterwards (called Coffeteria), but that’s totally optional.
How tough are the workouts?
The workout can be as difficult or as easy as you like. Each person can vary the intensity of the workout on their own. When you are first starting, it is important to remember to MODIFY as needed during the workouts. If you want to go harder, go harder. If you have not exercised in a long time, slow down a little. If you get to the point where you need to take a break, take a break. Don’t hurt yourself, or even worse, get discouraged. Just show up, work hard, and give it your best. That is all that matters, and it usually drives results. We are not here competing against one another. We have guys here of every size, weight, and frame. The F3 Credo is “Leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him.”
How many guys are typically at a workout?
We typically have 5-15 guys at our workouts. As F3SH has become more engaged, we have also seen more attendance. In fact, we’ve been seeing FNGs nearly every week for the last couple of years.