What’s the history of F3?

F3 started in 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina and has grown to more than 46 states and 3,400+ scheduled workouts each week through the efforts of men whose lives have been changed by their involvement with F3. The three Fs in our name stand for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith — the last of which we define as simply a belief in something bigger than yourself.

F3 Amelia was started by a Richmond transplant who trained with F3 RVA and was desperate to meet some new guys and not have to drive an hour to get in a good workout. And his wife made him do it because she needed a stronger husband and he was getting chubby.

• F3 Nation main site

• F3 Podcasts on Spotify

• F3 feature in NY Times

How do I start?

Show up to a workout. No fees, no reservations, no excuses.

What if I’m not in great shape?

The best way to get in shape is to show up to the workouts and do what you can. And no, waiting a few weeks to try to get into better shape so you won’t embarass yourself at a workout won’t work. That is procrastination and aversion to the hard work it will take to get your butt in shape. Just show up and do what you can.

What if I’m new to town and don’t know anyone?

It’s crazy how bad men are at making new friends. Here’s a quick refresher for adults: Stick out your hand, say your name, be yourself. Men need buddies. The more the better. Bonus points if you have a good joke or bring coffee.

What kind of things will we do in the workout?

Most of the time these are bootcamp style workout. Expect to do lots of body weight exercises, a little running, pushups, situps and anything else that that will toughen your body or spirit.

What should I wear?

Shorts, t-shirt, lightweight work gloves (the cheapest thing at Southern States will do just fine). Bring a towel for after your workout. While many men who participate in F3 report becoming better husbands, some men who share cars with wives and put their sweatty butts into seats with no towel have been known to sleep on couches and be the recipient of passive aggressiveness from spouses who don’t want their carseats smelling like a middle-aged stockyard.

Can I wear headphones?

No. It’s ok to do one thing in your life where you aren’t trying to distract yourself. Also, if you aren’t sweating enough to destroy a set of headphones, we should probably up the effort level.

Why is it so flipping early?

Two reasons: 1) As an adult male with a family the truth is that the only time that is actually your time to make yourself better is the time no one else wants. 2) Because it’s difficult. Doing hard things to strengthen your body and spirit will produce results. Personal transformation happens at the hard edges, not in the comfortable middle.

What’s the point of this?

Your job as an adult man is to serve to the best of your ability in the roles of husband, father, son, brother, friend and community leader. That’s the important stuff and the only stuff that really matters. F3 is the no excuse way for men to get their bodies right, do hard stuff and build community. Doing those things will take time, but it will help you find another gear in your spirit to serve the ones we love better than ever.

Uh oh, I see faith is involved and I’m not a church goer. How big a deal is the faith part?

F3 is not a church or related with any specific religion. The faith part of F3 is a perspective that your world is better when you aren’t the center of it. The pursuit of faith can come in many forms and that path looks different for everyone. It can happen in the middle of a brutal workout just as easy as it can in a pew. What the men of F3 found is that by working your body, smashing your ego, having some fun and connecting with men doing the same things can lead to some really interesting insights to your spiritual path. Mostly that you aren’t the center of the universe.