F3 New Orleans

Category: New Orleans

  • Step Back, Security Coming Through – from Willie

    One of the ways we earned money for our fraternity was to work as security guards for concerts at the UNO Lakefront Arena. I was able to see several great bands over the years! I created a playlist for this workout of songs from bands that I worked security for back in the 90s. Not all of the shows were for popular bands, so there are a few doozies in the playlist too. If one of the PAX wanted to skip a song, the entire PAX did 10 burpees. Only one skip was allowed at a time, you cannot skip two songs in a row. Oduls hit shuffle, and we were off, “Everything Zen” by Bush blaring, on our way for a warm up at the base of the big mountain. The following were done in cadence:
    SSHx20, Imperial Walkers x20, Arm Circles F/B x10, Grass Grabbers x10, Hillbillies x20

    Between Arm Circles and Grass Grabbers, “Children Will Listen” by Barbara Streisand played and was promptly skipped by Jingle Vader. 10 Burpees for the PAX.

    Next we broke into two lines and did an Indian Run to the 4th floor. YHC was running with the speaker in the center of the lines to make sure everyone was enjoying the music.

    Once we were on the 4th floor, we circled up for a Monkey Humper ring of fire. This was hilarious to watch! The PAX were holding Al Gore, one Pax did 20 MHs, the next started at 10, and so on… Next was a more traditional Merkin ring of fire with a 15 and 10 split while we are all holding plank.

    Before starting the Merkin Ring of Fire, ole Babs struck again with “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.” Couch skipped, PAX did 10 Burpees

    We proceeded to the top of the Mountain mosying on the flats and running backwards on the incline. At the top I called for a 20 count from Manchovy. We had a mid-workout stretch (We don’t stretch enough) immediately following.

    The next thang were BLIMPS down the Mountain. 5 Burpees to start on the top floor, then 10 Lunges on the next floor down, followed 15 IWs, 20 Merkins, 25 Plank Jacks, and 30 Squats on the 1st floor. We hit a run of good music, so there were no more skips to this point.

    Next we ran to Rosy Palm Court for a little Mary all exercises in cadence. I led off with Penguins x15, Angie’s List was next with 30 LBCs, King Kong with 20 Hello Darlenes, Gabby with 15 Crunchy Frogs.

    Right when we were about to head back to the flag, Douille called skip on “Hey Jealousy” by the Gin Blossoms… The PAX did 10 Burpees. No one plays the villian role better than Douille!

    We ended with a COT then adjourned for coffee at PJs. Its always an honor to lead this group of great men!

  • What happened to Spring? – from Thighs

    Wow, was it a warm morning to workout. Wasn’t it winter just last week?

    We started the beat down with a warmup:

    Mosey around the block
    15x Jumping Jacks
    7x Self Loves
    10x Sun Gods
    7x Windmills
    7x Cherry Pickers
    7x Merkins
    7x Toe Touches
    7x Mountain Climbers
    7x Tempo Merkins
    7x Squats
    7x Tempo Squats

    Then we Mosey-ed to the parking lot to do:
    A set of 11s across the parking lot with:
    Burpees
    Diamond PushUps

    Then we Mosey-ed to the parking garage.
    There we 3 sets of 7 flights of stairs. After each flight of stair, we did:
    25x Merkins
    20x Ab Raises
    15x Diamond Merkins
    10x Hand Release Merkins
    5x Wall Derkins

    After we came down the last set of stairs, we set up for (1) set of Suicides across the length of the parking garage.
    The stations were:
    10x Merkins
    10x Bonny Blairs
    10x Mountain Climbers
    10x Air Squats

    After that workout and getting beat down from the heat and lack of water, we Mosey-ed back to stretch and close out.

    It was a beat down. Again, I think it was more because we were not ready for the heat and not how hard the Q made the physical training.

    Looking forward to next time!

  • BOMBS Away! (Mothership 2023-03-04) – from Catfish

    Conditions – A cool 60-ish degrees

    The Thang

    Quick Mosey over to the peristyle for a warmup:

    SSH x 30 (in cadence)
    Abe Vigodas x 10 (in cadence)
    Grass Grabber x 10 (in cadence)
    8-Counts x 15 (in cadence)
    Peter Parker Peters x 20 (in cadence)

    Moseyed over to the Great Lawn and partnered up for BOMBS (50 burpees, 100 overhead claps, 150 merkins, 200 big boys, 250 squats). One partner ran to other side, did three 8-counts, then ran back while other exercised. Also got in some some SSH, LBTs, and Dying Cockroaches waiting for the six

    Moseyed to the peristyle/bench area for some leg action:

    Bulgarians x 20 (in cadence)
    Side Leg Lifts x 20 (in cadence)
    Bulgarians other leg x 20 (in cadence)
    Side Leg Lifts other leg x 20 (in cadence)
    Bonnie Blairs x 20 (in cadence)
    Back Leg Lifts x 20 (in cadence)
    Irkins x 20 (in cadence)
    Back Leg Lifts other leg x 20 (in cadence)
    Imperial Squat Walkers x 20 (in cadence)

    On to sixes for ten Dr. W’s (in cadence), then back to flag zone for CoT.

  • Kill or Be Killed (by Pope) – from Goose

    Some things you never get too old for. On the morning of March 4, YHC showed the PAX that grown men can run around (a lot) and play like the young men they once were. YHC showed up at the Peltch with a bag-o-flags filled with a limited amount of belt flags… the more PAX showed up, the more uncertain YHC became. YHC probably did more head counts in five minutes than he ever did in one day (impressive considering the amount of potential 2.0s at YHC’s home).
    We began with the usual warmup routine (SSH, imperial walkers, windmills, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles, cherry pickers) and headed to the EDW field. There, YHC distributed the belt flags which, thankfully, were distributed among all the PAX (Sonic and FNG each used one). We then split into teams and stationed at opposite goal lines for F3 Braveheart.
    To begin the first round, all PAX bear-crawled to the 20-yard line, then stood up and began the battle. Enemy PAX attempted to pull off their opponent’s flags (PAX had two flags; two lives) until one team is utterly vanquished. When a PAX was slain, he would drop and hold plank until the end of the round. The second round began at the 30-yard line with defeated PAX holding Al Gore. Finally, with the adrenaline of battle pumping through the veins, the third round resolved—every man for himself. YHC and FNG tied for winner because of unclear regulations concerning if someone went out of bounds. (Note: none of the rounds ended with any prize for the winning team, but no one asked…so…)
    The next thang involved a choice made by each PAX individually: 7 burpees at the start and halfway point of the entire track with sprints in between, or 20 Catalina Wine Mixers and a full-track sprint. Preference differed among the PAX. The second round, however, was an easy choice for most: 25 burpees and a full-track “sprint”, or 15 merkins at each corner, with lunge-walks for the straights and jogging on the curves (this obvious choice was YHC’s way of weeding out those who were NOT good candidates for the next ANIMAL). YHC, Goats in the Machine, Smooth Operator, and two of the four 2.0s chose the lunge-walk. Goats and the 2.0s switched choices a quarter of the way through… YHC was determined to finish when, two-thirds of the way through, Goose decided to catch the “ill-choosing” 6. We began to regroup and prepared to mosey, when we noticed Smooth still hammering out his third set of merkins! We picked him up and moseyed to the lower field with a pretty clear idea of our next ANIMAL.
    At the field Goose and YHC set up a small field about 30 yards long and initiated a game of PAX-&-Minnows. Goose started as the voluntary first shark and took his position at one end line while the rest of the PAX lined up on the other end. Throughout the two games played, the sharks began each round with two burpees with the minnows completing four merkins, then the minnows tried to make it safely to the other end line without being devoured (tagged) by a shark. Wounded (tagged) minnows dropped and performed LBCs until the round was over, while successful minnows did 10 star jumps in celebration of their survival. Coyote was the last man (well, person) standing at the end of the first game, and Lil’ Cuz remained after the second game.
    Back at the flag, Mary was performed in potluck fashion, with Coyote initiating box cutters and Lil’ Cuz calling leg lifts. Smooth was eager to lead us in burpees, and YHC reluctantly trumped with crunchy frogs. In COT our FNG, 2.0 of Superfun(d), was dubbed Superfas(t), reflecting his self-proclaimed performance in Braveheart and adding to our list of tee-tiny 2.0s. And of course, Smooth Operator left that morning with the well-deserved title of ANIMAL.
    SYITG, Pope

  • No OYO – Teamwork – March Mental Awareness – from Hokie

    YHC awakened to the sound of rain which does not align with dry feet

    I then arrived at The Uptowner with a sparse crowd as 0530 approached

    YHC announced March as Mental Awareness Month and started warm ups with TWO slow Vigodas… there were twice as many suicides as murders… that is scary!

    We then were surprised as a carload of 6 appeared so we once again implored the Pax to reach out and check on folks this month

    Positive Mental Awareness Beatdown

    Bogey
    Buxton
    Disclaimer
    Fast Tax
    Heisenberg
    Hokie
    Mahatma
    Spidie (FNG at beginning of our workout)
    Super Dooper Cooper
    Tenderloin
    The Architect
    T-Rex

    Another year is upon us and in the tradition of F3, another March Mental Battle Month!

    TToe to Y x 14 – LA ranked 14th Highest Prevalence of Mental Illness (that is up from 18th)

    Imperial Walkers x 22 – vets/day who lose the mental battle – 22 veterans commit suicide EVERY DAY. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America.

    After warmup, partner up.

    Each set will have stats about mental health and workplace mental health. The workout will be in the form of a Dora 123. As you are working with a partner (No OYO), each stat is doubled.

    Pax 1 will run across field while Pax 2 starts exercise…. With a twist…. I set 11 alarms, whenever the alarm sounds, we ALL do Burpees until Mahatma announces he is finished then continue…

    Round 1 –

    50,000,000 adult Americans experienced mental illness

    56% of employees spend time looking for another job.

    27,000,000 Americans with mental illness are unable to receive treatment.

    100 Lunges each leg (2 is 1)
    112 Hand Release Merkins
    54 Low Slow Squats

    Round 2 –

    60% of employees do not feel their management helps them to deal with stress.

    33% of employees can’t afford their healthcare costs.

    80% of employees reported feeling emotionally drained by their work.

    120 Big Boy Sit ups
    66 Burpees
    160 Stars each leg (2 is 1)

    This resulted in 110 -ish burpees at alarm settings (at least for Mahatma) plus 33- ish each Pax

    I love each of you! Mental battles are real and there is no reason to feel ashamed! Please reach out for help if you need help.

    If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to 800-273-8255.

    Till next time.

    Special thank you to all who endured and to our three single digit Pax… Super Duper Cooper, T-Rex and Spidey (our newest and youngest Pax!)

  • A Lion, A Partnership, and a Tank Top: A Short Story – from Yankee Joe

    Seven PAX showed at the Lion’s Den, which was a nice surprise. The night before, YHC had shared a pre-blast with his M, and she responded with something like, “This is why you have difficulty making friends.” Ouch. But, she’s kinda right.

    The idea was inspired by Goose’s Burpee Time(r) beatdown the Tuesday Tuff prior. In that beatdown, PAX rotated through a variety of exercises for the duration of however long it took one PAX to complete 20 burpees. Though grueling, YHC noticed how much more eager he was to push through the pain of 20 burpees when other PAX’s suffering was hanging in the balance. So YHC attempted to take that “leave no PAX behind” commitment to partner commitments. In this episode of “we’re not medical or even fitness professionals,” Partner 2 would work through a combined 15 minutes of elbow plank work, while Partner 1 (the Timer) worked through sets of varying stupidity.

    Ok, so my way of making friends looks different. But is it effective? Well, probably not. Regardless, YHC was happy to see Fence Post who has started to become a mainstay of the Thursday Lion’s Den. In the mold of Lil’ Cuz, his quiet, methodical movements through a beatdown inspire a sense of deep respect. His sheer strength is still unnerving. YHC can’t wait to see him in action come Iron Pax. Part of the reason the Lion’s Den came into being was to be closer to Chackbay. As the Cardinal flies, it is only a few miles. That said, Cardinal does not fly, and he showed up “on time” in the same way crawling “backward is forward” for a crab. Goats in the Machine apparently wants to be a crab too, though he probably still thinks beatdowns start at 5:30 and not 5:15. But the man keeps showing up, and that’s all that matters. Enron made his appearance in an unpredictably good mood. Erich the Great aka Ragnar aka Tana showed sporting his newly acquired six pack abs courtesy of F3. Goose showed up wearing a tank top reading ANIMAL on the front. Enron somehow said nothing about it. I’ll get to that in a bit.

    Warm-up 5:15 – 5:25
    Side straddle hops
    Windmills 15 ct
    Arm circles forward 15 ct
    Arm circles backward 15 ct
    Cherry pickers 15 ct
    Self love
    High knees 15 ct
    Knoxville cherry pickers 15 ct
    Mountain climbers 10 ct
    Mosey around civic center

    The Thangggg 5:27 – 6:00
    Partner up; Start on embankment in front of civic center
    P1 exercise represents the timer for each station
    P2 exercise happens simultaneously until P1 has finished
    P1 & P2 bear crawl between each station
    At end of circuit, P1 & P2 flapjack, then work their way back through stations
    Mosey around civic center between rounds

    Circuit Round 1
    Station 1
    P1 does 25 decline groiners on embankment
    P2 does decline peter parker merkins on embankment
    When P1 finished, both bear crawl 15 yards to Station 2

    Station 2
    P1 does 25 monkey humpers
    P2 does chilcutt peter parkers
    When P1 finished, both bear crawl 10 yards to Station 3

    Station 3
    P1 does 25 burpees
    P2 does J-Flecks (J-Lo both sides, then pickle pounder)
    When P1 finished, both bear crawl 10 yards to Station 4

    Station 4
    P1 does 25 coupon thrusters
    P2 does dancing chilcutts

    When P1 finished, partners flapjack and work back through stations

    Mosey around civic center

    Circuit Round 2: Rinse and Repeat
    Mosey around civic center

    2MOM
    Leg lifts
    Freddie Mercury’s 2:1
    Pulsing Supermans? (Goose called them Lois Lanes, so now that is what F3 Thibodaux will call them.)

    After namarama, Goose explained the tank top. YHC couldn’t help saying an internal prayer of gratitude. Had Goose meant to wear it without any explanation, our friendship would have been examined more carefully. In the end, Goose, always thinking about how to serve the PAX, announced (mandated, commanded) that after each beatdown the ANIMAL tank top would be bestowed upon the PAX that most exemplified the nature of an animal.

    Or maybe it was the PAX that most sounded like an animal? Maybe it was the PAX that best blew ass like an animal? What constitutes the definition of a “beatdown ANIMAL” is still unclear. In Enron’s case, perhaps it represents the PAX that taunts the Form Police most like an animal. But again, I have no clear evidence.

    COT and Cardinal reminded YHC he needed to pick someone to pray. Thus, Cardinal prayed us out.

    Always grateful for each of you and your willingness to push through to your inner animal.

    SYITG,

    Yankee Joe

  • It’s Burpee Time(r) Again! – from Goose

    YHC showed up tired, mostly because it was the morning after a late night planning session that seemed awesome before crawling into bed and not so awesome while tying shoes this morning in the dark (we’ll call it the “Pre-Q Dread”). After a slow warmup of the usual with 5 total PAX, YHC led us on a nice, slow bumper mosey to further delay the inevitable.

    YHC knew that despite a challenging Saturday and Monday, Tuesday Tuff has to live up to its name or YHC might lose his edge. So, no time for a pity party, it was Burpee Time(r) Again!

    Four PAX lined up and spread out facing the stage on the concrete along the curved grass line waiting for instructions. While one man did 20 burpees in the middle, each other man would do AMRAP the exercise assigned to his spot. So, each guy would do a different exercise nonstop until the guy in the middle finished 20 burpees, hence the “burpee timer.” Once the burpees are done, the men rotate to the next station and remind the guy behind him what exercise he’s about to have to do. Communication was key…Actually, it wasn’t. There were only five stations, and it was pretty obvious what the guy ahead of you was doing, mostly because of the shape of the sweat stamp on the concrete.

    Round 1 exercise stations (done while middle guy is completing 20 burpees):
    -merkins
    -coupon curls
    -squats
    -Peter Parkers

    Round 2:
    -BBSU
    -coupon swings
    -lunges (back then forward with same leg before switching)
    -Imperial Walkers

    Round 3:
    -Freddy Mercurys
    -coupon rows
    -Apolo Onos
    -freak nasties on the picnic bench

    Round 4:
    -crab cakes (Crabby Patties, according to Tana)
    -coupon LBC’s
    -flutter kicks
    -SSH

    6:00 came almost all the way through the fourth round, though time was a bit of an illusion this morning. It felt like each guy took about seven minutes to complete his burpees, though it was probably less than two. And the stretch from 5:56 to 6:00 crept on for about 15 minutes, and I think it actually stopped once or twice.
    The chatter was at an all time low this morning, though a few guys likely had to check their pants when they got home given the quality of sounds that were communicated once things really got moving.

    T-claps to these men for pushing hard through this one and not giving into the instinct (or peer pressure) to take a breath before starting those burpees. As mentioned during the COT, F3 is supposed to constantly push me and give me concrete experiences that make it clear that I still have a long way to go, while at the same time giving the reward of deep brotherhood that comes from shared suffering.
    If we ever feel like “we’ve arrived”, we’re doing it wrong, but if we ever feel left behind, we’re also doing it wrong. We’re in this together for the long haul, and we’re also growing and improving immensely with every single beatdown!

    Announcements and Tana prayed us out (sorry, Smooth, I forgot!)

    SYITG,
    Goose

  • Huff, Puff, and Beatdown – from Goats in the Machine

    Warm-O-Rama

    Sub-contracted to goose due to the Q’s tardiness

    THANG 1: Story of the 3 little pigs

    Once upon a time, three little pigs decided to leave their mother’s house and build their own homes. The first little pig built his house out of straw
    • Pig 1 built a house of straw – 4 bodybuilders. Wind sprint to the parking lot

    the second little pig built his house out of sticks
    • Pig 2 built a house of sticks – 8 bodybuilders. Wind sprints to the last picnic table

    and the third little pig built his house out of bricks.
    • Pig 3 built a house of bricks – 12 bodybuilders. Wind sprints to the opposite sidewalk

    One day, a big, bad wolf came and knocked on the door of the first little pig’s straw house. “Little pig, little pig, let me come in!” said the wolf. But the little pig replied, “Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!”
    • 20 LBCs (symbolizing the wolf huffing and puffing at the straw house)

    The wolf huffed, puffed, and blew the straw house down. The little pig ran to his brother’s house made of sticks.
    • PAX to run a loop

    But the wolf followed him and knocked on the door. “Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in!” said the wolf. But the two little pigs replied, “Not by the hair on our chinny chin chins!”
    • 20 LBCs (symbolizing the wolf huffing and puffing at the straw house)
    • 20 reps of merkins (symbolizing the wolf trying to break down the stick house)

    The wolf huffed, puffed, and blew the stick house down. The two little pigs ran to their brother’s house made of bricks.
    • PAX to run a loop

    But the wolf followed them and knocked on the door. “Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in!” said the wolf. But the three little pigs replied, “Not by the hair on our chinny chin chins!”
    The wolf huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the brick house down. So, he climbed onto the roof and tried to come down the chimney. But the clever little pigs had a pot of boiling water waiting for him, and the wolf fell into the pot. The pigs covered the pot with a lid and boiled the wolf alive.
    • 20 LBCs (symbolizing the wolf huffing and puffing at the straw house)
    • 20 reps of merkins (symbolizing the wolf trying to break down the stick house)
    • 20 reps of air squats (symbolizing the wolf climbing the brick house and falling down the chimney)

    From that day on, the three little pigs lived happily ever after in their sturdy brick house, knowing that hard work and determination always pay off in the end.

    THANG 2: a game called “Beat the Wolf”

    The Pax Break into groups of 4. 3 PAX represents each of the pigs. (4 PAX will be pigs for teams of 5). 1 PAX is the Wolf.

    The 3 pigs plank. When the wolf arrives at a pig, the pig then calls an exercise for a 10-rep count. Whoever completes the task the fastest wins and becomes the pig in the plank position. The loser becomes the Wolf and moves on to the next Pig. Rinse and repeat. If a pax is a wolf 3 times in a row, he can do 5 penalty burpees to become a pig or remain the wolf.

    Thang 3
    • Elevens: overhead hand claps & calf raises, transport with bear crawls and walking leg kicks

    Mary
    • Pax Potluck Mary

    • COT • Announcements • Intentions • Smooth Prayed us out

    Moleskin
    YHC was running late, as usual, this morning. T-Claps to Goose for keeping the train on the tracks. YHC is grateful for the PAX transporting themselves to the 19th-century American countryside for a cheese fable-based beatdown. Hopefully, the storyline aided the pax in exerting maximum physical output with a minimal mental load. To be honest, YHC thought it would take longer than it did and wishes we would have taken a victory lap after the last round. In Thang 2 we continued the man-vs-man theme that has been popping up in previous beatdowns. T-claps to Smooth Operator for using a strategy that created an advantage with his short arms and impeccable bear crawling skills. Additionally, Yankee Joe can up with some crazy core-based stuff that exposed YHC’s lack of core strength (again). With this extra time to spare YHC called for Elevens and showed mercy by way of overhead claps and calf raises. Based on the mumble chatter, YHC will not show this type of mercy again.

    Thanks to all for going along with this goofy-themed beatdown and putting up with my tardiness.