It can be intimidating trying to start a workout routine at a local gym — let alone finding a workout buddy or two.
Everyone has their earbuds in and are focused on improving their own bodies and health.
There’s alternatives like working out from home or finding a sport that may test your level of fitness in a group environment. And, let’s be honest, working out comes from self-motivation, but how much easier it if you have others to help push you to meet your goals?
That’s the goal of one program for men that started on a whim in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2011. It as grown nationally and now the program has made its way to Northern Kentucky.
It’s called F3 and it relies on three principles to make the fitness program work….fitness, fellowship and faith. The first part is pretty self explanatory, with workouts often lasting 45 minutes to an hour that are certain to test you. Fellowship is vital in the program; the bonds built and connections made are a key factor of making the program take off like it has. As far as the faith part, it’s not necessarily religious based, but more so believing in something in yourself.
F3 is free of charge and workouts are all outdoors at four different locations in Northern Kentucky. Those interested can go to the Armory in Fort Thomas at the Highlands High School soccer field on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 a.m.; South Fork Park in Union on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 a.m.; evenings at Edgewood Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 a.m.; and Drees Pavilion at Devou Park in Covington on Fridays at 5:30 a.m.
Carl Gillman lived in Houston and got his start in F3 there. When he moved back to Northern Kentucky, he wanted to take the concept with him and has been going strong with it since 2020 with over 100 members in NKY currently.
“I stumbled upon this and they built this concept around it. Fitness is great and we hold each other accountable,” Gillman said. “Fitness draws people in, but the accountability and fellowship is what drives it.”
Each participant is given a nickname. Gillman is known as NANTAN in NKY and Bourbon in Houston.
The accountability starts with making sure enough people are signed up for the eight workouts throughout the week. If there aren’t enough, the group at the end of the workout in the circle of faith makes sure there will be with volunteers.
Workouts are directed by the leader, also known as the AOQ, that week at the particular location so the workouts are different every week. There’s no pressure to do the workout in its entirety, but the group doesn’t focus on the can’t, they focus on the can.
Mark Wehry, who many know in the NKY sports community from 859 Radio in providing audio and streaming for free at local high school games, joined F3 in June 2023.
“I’ve never dreaded a workout, never regretted a workout,” Wehry said.
Even in the frigid temperatures we’ve experienced over the past few weeks, F3 still keeps going. Rain or shine, the workout will take place that day.
“I remember when I was like ‘I can’t do that or never do that’ and now my reaction is I can’t do without that. I dread missing it now if I can’t go,” Wehry added.
Wehry found out about F3 at a local Panera restaurant one day when he saw a group of guys with F3 shirts. He said he wanted one and they told him he’d have to come out to a workout to get one.
The rest is history.
“I’ve gone every week since June 6, 2023,” Wehry said. “There’s no pressure of being in a gym, or ‘gymtimidation’ as I like to call it. You can get in incredible shape and it’s free.”
That’s what makes F3 so unique. There are no strangers. The day you show up you are given a nickname and are instantly part of the group. Connections are built and during the circle of faith prayer circle at the end of the workout, and participants are free to share whatever problems they may face or keeping a family member in their thoughts. The group is tight knit and can offer a variety of things on top of fellowship, whether it be emotional or financial support or dropping a text message to a member in the program to see how they’re doing.
“Men get into their mid 30s and 40s and there’s this hole where they haven’t developed true relationships. High School friends, college friends kind of die off,” Gillman said. “You may have friends with your kids parents and who your wives know, but at F3 you can establish those true relationships again. I stumbled upon this and they built this concept around it, fitness is great and holding each other accountable helps. Fitness draws people in, accountability is what drives it as well as well as fellowship does.”
Even on vacation, you’re more than likely to find an F3 group close by. There’s 4,300 locations nationwide.
For more information, visit F3NKY.com.