____________________________________________

In Daniel A. Dombrowski’s book, Contemporary Athletics and Ancient Greek Ideals, he decides to get a little Wittgenstein on our asses by addressing the word “play.” We all inhabit a space, a culture, that seems to subscribe to three types of play (or at least Play might have varying levels of these three purposes):

Frolic (without purpose other than the purity of fun)
Competitive (to achieve a goal, success based on personal accomplishment)
War (to dominate something or someone, winning.conquering being the sole goal)

So animals frolic and animals make war, but as far as we can tell, animals don’t compete for personal evolution. Are we humans, who have this ability to transcend the basics, therefore a superior creature, or were we given this path as an evolutionary consolation prize for being a species that is sorely lacking in a bunch of gifts that nature openly handed out to the rest of the planetary fauna? Is our ability to elaborate on our experiences simply a tool to try to catch up with the rest of the planet?

Either way, ya think nature, God or The Great Green Arkleseizure is regretting it’s decision?

If we took a page from the rest of the planet, then frolic and battle, in balance, seem necessary for the Feng Shui of our Big Blue. So how does competition, true competition without the outcome demanding all the accolades, jive with grand scheme of things?

Not too long ago Interstate 80 had amongst it’s voyagers a pair of dorky small-time animal activists and a dog named Lulu. This stretch of freeway couldn’t have known that these three travelers were returning from a very windy day in the city where Tony Bennet left his heart, nor could it have garnered that part of that day was spent mesmerized by the Mother Teresa/Gandhi of the animal rights world, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE.

Allyson, one of these intrepid travelers, noticed a basic model that Dr. Goodall followed that was bold in its simplicity and revolutionary in the possibilities to turn our mess around a bit. Al pointed out that Jane focused on the three basics, which, much to my dismay were NOT the Bodytribe staples of Train Hard, Eat Well, and Rest Hard.

They were indeed:

Animals.
Humans.
Nature.

Them’s the big three. You deny one, the other two suffer, despite the fact that one of those three has grandiose views of being the leader of a hierarchy, with the other two ranking considerably lower in the pecking order.

So perhaps our extra RAM and amazing DSL connection between body and mind were installed to keep our comparatively weak and ugly flesh packets on an even playing ground. Therefore our technological advancements lack merit in the big picture when they become tools of total domination over the other two groups. It wouldn’t take much research to link many of our major health issues (and a handful of political issues) to throwing our causal relationship into disarray in our quest for total control. Jeez, give us an inch and we’ll try to take over the universe.

Allyson’s theory on our role transcends inward from the big picture down to the individual person when we start tying the actual ability of our bodies into the equation. Each body, each physical flesh packet, is in itself an ecosystem. Once we grok this, the big picture might make more sense, as would the role of movement and strength, and empowering competition, in supporting not just our personal planet, but the actual big earthy one we all hang out on.

Makes ya wanna gnaw on these words of Al’s:

There is no perfection, just purity.

This is part one of a collection of reviews about a handful of the groovy programs offered within our physical culture these days. Even though it is part one, it is still broken into 4 separate posts, so feel free to click below to shoot over to any of the other pages.

Intro
Physical
Metaphysical
Tribe and Integrity (you are currently here)

The pictures throughout this massive virtual tome are mostly random, featuring either shots from the dustbins of physical culture, or the good folks and toys here at Bodytribe.

TRIBE

How is the community around your program?  Is it a selfish pursuit, or are there factors in place to promote and enrich the community? There are a few of these programs on the big list we’re slowly working through here that offer a true sense of community, but the rest are just programs or ideologies, and a couple have strong exclusionary elements… to be part of their tribe, you have to prove yourself.

Is the community nothing but hippie happy smiles and tree-hugging support, or, on the other end of the spectrum, guys in Affliction shirts and the girls who love them?

Is there playfulness in the intensity, or is any playfulness reserved for sophomoric posturing and off color humor?

CROSSFIT

CF is unsurpassed in community building and should be commended for creating one of the largest and tightest networks in the fitness industry. But with any network of such magnitude, there will be blind followers, not just people who appreciate and practice the concept, but coaches and members who, like any community, take on the community’s ideals as an identity, sans objectivism or critical discernment. Therefore there are a lot of accusations about CrossFit  being cult-like, and many boxes even joke about ‘drinking the Koolaid” (at least one box I know of has an actual mural of the Koolaid character on their wall, celebrating their unwavering loyalty).

You can like metal, or punk or Goth music, or you can BE a metalhead, punk or Goth. There are people that practice CF, and there are CrossFitters. There are tribe members who create dialog within the community, and there are the fanatics who lack the discerning eye to see anything else.  Every fitness community has that, from jazzercise to RKC… In fact, every modality within this comparison suffers a chunk of their population as cult followers. CF just has the loudest audience at the moment, and within that audience, there is very little questioning, very little boat rocking.

This is always what happens when an underground movement surfaces to the mainstream.  It dilutes itself to the masses, but the masses are convinced that, being once underground, it must be cool.  It happens in music and art all the time… heck, it’s why mediocre nonsense like Blink 182 can call themselves a ‘punk’ band and co-opt a tradition of rebellion and attitude without actually being rebellious or hardcore in any way.

There are cults and there are tribes, and on a box-by-box basis, there are varying levels of devotion… sometimes perfectly reasonable, sometimes a bit over the top.  There is something to be said for having a group of folks supporting you when the physical limits are being pushed.  If misery loves company, so do success, perseverance and triumph, and knowing your fellow box members have your back is nothing an outsider should sneer at. Sure, there are cases of mindless adherence to the CrossFit dogma, but then there are many stories of simple tribal appreciation and respect, and that is truly the strength of the CF program. If you show up and put in your best effort, you’ve got an instant group of fans, friends and family. There really isn’t another network quite like it.

But the big news is that Reebok is now the spearheading sponsor for CrossFit, and I’m a little surprised that this doesn’t have more folks within the community worried or outright opposed. The company that brought you step aerobics and pump shoes is now trumpeting CF games and gyms. This adds an unhealthy validity to a program that could actually use scrutiny. Plus, letting big business into your tribe very rarely (if ever) results in a greater cohesion or solidarity.  Expect to see CF replacing Bodypump classes at any corporate gym near you. There are a bunch of folks already thinking this is a good thing.

Corporations have a piss poor track record for increasing the quality of an already existing strength program. Hold onto hope if ya gotta, but don’t ignore history.

TRAINING FOR WARRIORS

More internet than physical, there aren’t a ton of TFW gyms or gathering places. Although, like CrossFit, you can become an affiliate once you complete the certification and hand over about 2 grand. You’ll find TFW more in MMA training halls probably most of all. It seems mostly a boy’s club, but there is nothing indicating exclusionary attitudes. Seems like an open door policy… anyone is invited who is willing to put in the effort.

RMAX

There aren’t many RMAX gyms, so this Tribe doesn’t have too many places to congregate beyond the internet or at workshops. But there is indeed an RMAX culture, with a mostly male demographic and strong intelligence factor. In fact, a great deal of the RMAX clan get an excited shiver if you mention the Illuminati. In other words, and this is by no means an insult, there is a fair level of geekdom in the RMAX tribe. These would’ve been my people in high school, at least before I was kicked out of the nerd clique for not being smart enough.  I just wish they’d pick up a heavy barbell once in a while.

Since RMAX was born in the martial arts world, it seems to thrive there the most. You’ll find bits of it here and there amongst certain MMA and BJJ centers, and perhaps as much at many traditional martial arts dojos. But RMAX does owe its life to the internet, and that is where a great deal of the information can be found.

WESTSIDE BARBELL CLUB

About a decade ago, before the modern physical culture explosion, when WSB videos were coveted VHS tapes and the only place to read about true strength sports was MILO journal, Westside was not a walk-in gym. There weren’t day passes or weekend coupons. You had to earn the right to lift there. You had to have either an impressive powerlifting resume or some mad skills in another sporting arena that required serious show-stopping strength. It truly was the ultimate mecca for powerlifting information, and there was quite a sheen of exclusivity around the gym itself. Keep in mind, the education and knowledge was dispensed openly to anyone who wanted it via emails, phone calls or videos, often for free, but to walk into their hallowed (and, frankly, grungy) halls required permission. You had to earn the right to be part of that Tribe.

Since then it seems everyone has become a powerlifting coach. From the deserved alumni of Westside who have decided to open their own strength dens, to the nouveau-coaching culture who read some books or watched a bit of YouTube, it seems finding folks teaching squatting and deadlifting is almost as easy as finding a yoga studio. Buyer beware on the latter accounts.

But Westside, and its immediate offspring, still have a tribe of their own. It is still exclusive in the sense that it is geared to elite, or elite-striving, lifters, and it is geared towards big numbers on the barbell.  That’s about it. Specific and streamlined. As mentioned earlier, the word ‘health’ is not in their promotional literature.

But as an informational hub, Westside has an extended tribe, an entire culture of powerlifting education, that is only as exclusive as your desire to learn. Even the old VHS tapes are still worthwhile, although you can find them on DVD now.

________________________________________________

INTEGRITY

If these programs are so keen on promoting physical integrity – being your physical best – do they also encourage metaphysical integrity? Free thought, problem solving, creativity, self-esteem, sagacity… are these coveted or ignored? Or maybe even mocked, by spoon feeding you propaganda and hyperbole?

This can make or break a program in my eyes.  Even if I don’t agree with all the techniques, a program created from a place of integrity deserves at least a nod of consideration. Do the ideals and philosophy of the program remain unshaken against marketing double-speak or corporate sponsorship? Does the program (and its founders) evolve and grow? If so, then this program needs more attention than one that exists more as a marketing tool or trendy community or faux science based in opinion.

Integrity could be seen, or dismissed, by a discerning eye in the promotion. No matter how good the actual program might be, the way it is sold and marketed is a direct extension of the seller, and in this world of physical culture, the seller is almost always the creator, or an extension of the creator, of the program itself.

If we’re judging on a scale, then somewhere slightly above complete bullshit is the grey zone of questionable phrases and ideas.  Here lie catch phrases and words that become trendy without actually saying much.  This is what Mel Siff used to call the Guru Terminology Kit. Words and phrases that the discerning eye can read as catchy rather than substantial, hyperbolic rather than informative. “Hardcore” has been a go-to for certain marketers of the physical culture for a while now, but recently “primal” and “paleo” have been added to the mix. Use caution and more than a tad of scrutiny when encountering these words.

Most of these programs offer some sort of affiliate program, where you can dish out some ducats, after spending more ducats to be certified by them, to open a gym under their name. This alone can shake the integrity right out of a program, since many affiliate programs obliterate free thought or creativity. Using CrossFit as an example, being an affiliate takes any exploration or personal development out of the gym opening process. Got a warehouse space, some bumper plates and a pullup station? Check. It’s reminiscent of the strip mall dojo, a cliché template with no individual thought. Maybe some boxes might have a touch of flare here and there, but stocking a modern box is one stop shopping, both philosophically and physically. If you haven’t built some of your own gear, if you haven’t designed your own space, if you haven’t had the tactile experience of creating a gym from your own philosophy, not just stockpiling a warehouse with some iron, then you’re missing out on the connection with your sanctuary.

If you haven’t spent years creating your own program design philosophy after being under the bar in every conceivable way, you haven’t actually learned anything yet. Emerson said an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man. Maybe we should all strive to be institutions, not somebody’s shadow.

A trainer has the potential to be a movement chef. Do you open a restaurant with your own menu, your own flavors, your own design, or do you open a franchise? How does the programs under review address this? Are you handed keys to a kingdom of free thought and creativity, or simply a big castle with built-in servants, laws and traditions.

How does each program promote itself and share itself? Does the program treat you like a commodity or a person? Are you learning to be a follower or an individual? Notice I didn’t write ‘leader,’ because in fitness, as in politics, our leaders are often nothing more than loud followers.

CROSSFIT

CF has an amazing potential to head towards either end of the spectrum… diluted ideas with poor training and education on one hand (which is where the corporate fitness industry, which includes Reebok, has thrived for decades now), or bold innovation of embracing the roots of physical culture and embellishing them on the other end (some of the other folks on this list are still working magic towards this end, and it isn’t far from CF’s roots). As an organization, it’s been tipping towards the more dangerous, unregulated but formulaic end for a while, with no real quality control system in place to change that momentum. Like any fabric stretched too far, the integrity weakens, and there can be no denying the dilution of the CF model. Combining forces with Reebok (not known for their wise fitness knowledge or ethical business decisions) will simply lead to greater validation of a vitiated program that no one is willing to be critical of. Corporate vindication rarely indicates the actual quality of a program, but it sure can indicate the integrity of it (or lack thereof).

Now on an individual basis, I’ve met affiliate owners and entire boxes that reek of integrity and are paragons of respect, fellowship and compassion, so full of rectitude as to be true inspirations. A handful of the boxes I’ve encountered are, in terms of community and integrity, shining examples of what a tribe can achieve.

But as an overall organization, the integrity has slipped from CF almost entirely. Of all the possibilities to increase its quality, of all the doors that could be opened, or all the potential that sits waiting to be taught to the most impressive network the physical culture has even seen, CrossFit has been dropping the ball for a while. And now it partners with a pathetic, embarrassing corporation. Reebok and the ‘sport’ of fitness? C’mon.

It seems that the integrity of the program is then left up to the individual boxes, and I do hope they realize and embrace the amazing and intense world beyond the organization that they’ve affiliated with. Many of the boxes I’ve dealt with are better than the organization they’ve chosen as their namesake. Hopefully they might eventually cast their own shadow.

TRAINING FOR WARRIORS

TFW’s creator and main spokesperson, Martin Rooney, has enough energy to power a military compound and the enthusiasm of an honest salesperson… in other words, there is unrelenting passion in his words and some serious gym time in his ability, and it seems that therein might lay this program’s foundation. As I’ve mentioned, motivation, more than programming, seems to be the dividing line here.  The workouts have some creativity to them, but the concepts of goal setting and follow-through, perseverance and self-assuredness seem to be more of the bread and butter of the program, and that, more than the exercises, is what folks I’ve talked to take away from his workshops.

His energy is contagious. I sometimes recoil from such high levels of enthusiasm as it can remind me of the insincere fitness figureheads who scream at you from infomercials, television shows and fitness convention platforms.  But Rooney is the real deal when it comes to sincerity, unlike the usual fitness icons. He’s not bullshitting you (and he has a sense of humor… this is important).  Even when his delivery just isn’t my cup of tea, his integrity is never in question.

RMAX

Tough call for me on this one. It gets a bit personal. I’ve got many stories, of my own and of many friends in the physical culture, about interactions with RMAX and Sonnon. This isn’t the forum to delve into that. Perhaps I can sum it up this way.  The community has expanded quite a few brain cells because the vast amount of information has merit. But discerning if the motive for being so prolific stems from ego or for tribal benefit is tough. There is a great deal of evidence for both

WESTSIDE BARBELL CLUB

Unwavering devotion to a singular purpose seems to be a trademark of both sides of the integrity spectrum, those with an extreme sense of integrity giving their heart and soul to a single drive, and those who are devoid of it and use their focus to hide from their emptiness. I’ve seen both in the powerlifting world, but there is a big lean towards the good side.

There are some faces that I look forward to seeing at local meets or national strength events who are either directly involved with, or descendents of, Westside. Funny, imaginative and cultured folks, despite looking like they might eat you. Folks with incredible integrity, folks who’d answer the phone calls or emails personally and dish out free advice to any newbie lifter who took the chance to contact them. Ya might not want to get between them and their barbell (or the buffet), but out from under the bar, they are cut from the highest caliber cloth.

Of course, there are the others, the insecure pricks who don’t amount to much as humans. But their numbers are actually pretty small.  I got into powerlifting because of its inclusiveness, because of the good folks mentioned above not judging me for being half their size, and supporting me for just showing up and putting in the work. Thankfully, they seem to dominate the sport in terms of numbers. On the whole, despite my critique of the anti-holisticness of the Westside Model (and its ilk), there’s not a lot of bullshit in their approach. As a concept, as a gym and as a movement, there is no arguing the integrity of the program.

___________________________________________

This is part one of a collection of reviews about a handful of the groovy programs offered within our physical culture these days. Even though it is part one, it is still broken into 4 separate posts, so feel free to click below to shoot over to any of the other pages.

Return to first post: Intro
Physical
Metaphysical
Tribe and Integrity (you are currently here)

This is a collection of reviews about a handful of the groovy programs offered within our physical culture these days. Even though it is part one of a bigger project, it is still broken into 4 separate sections, so feel free to click below to shoot over to any of the other pages.

Intro
Physical
Metaphysical (you are here)
Tribe and Integrity

The pictures throughout this massive virtual tome are mostly random, featuring either shots from the dustbins of physical culture, or the good folks and toys here at Bodytribe.

METAPHYSICALLY (beyond physical)…

There’s a common assumption in the workout world. It’s an assumption with so much volume and repetition behind it that it’s often spoken as absolute fact:

A good workout = a better life.

In every form fitness has taken it has often been belched that a good bout of sweat and toil in the weight room, spin class or yoga studio transfers to an increase in the quality of life, or in the case of yoga, enlightenment. Somehow instantly or magically, since no one ever really explains how. It’s like a three step process where the second step is sort of skipped…

1)    Workout hard (or, in yoga, Asana hard? Meditate hard?)

2)    …?

3)    Better life.

(For the pop culture reference geeks amongst you, think about the South Park underpants gnomes.)

This is the major flaw in a great deal of physical culture/fitness conceptualism. The correlation to life is there, but no one really explains it fully. So does the program have steps in place to promote a greater awareness of You? Are you more in tune with yourself? Do you give, share and perpetuate strength, or are you an ass, bragging about your accomplishments and living to show off or spout pithy quotes?

How is the program’s motivation process and goal setting system? Are the motivational processes limited to bootcamp-style yelling, or are there additional incentives in place for achievement?

Are there any embodiment tools? Visualization? Mediation? Is that even a goal? I’ve left out a major component to metaphysical consideration: competition. This is another article for another time, since it is a huge subject with many, MANY layers to it. This article is big enough as it is.

Out of the four modalities discussed in this article, only RMAX begins the process of explaining the second step between the workout = better life claim. It is otherwise just assumed by the others, even if hyped up quite a bit (credit should be given a bit to TFW for at least having indicators in place to see if this supposed transformation IS happening).  More than a couple of CF boxes I’ve been to proclaim the assumption proudly on their walls. “Get stronger in here to get better out there” or some such thing, but without lessons in embodiment or guidelines in basic neuroscience, it isn’t a guarantee, more like a happy accident, if it actually happens. I haven’t witnessed any such lesson plan in the CF world, or any of the others except RMAX. Sure, lives are improving all the time, but why aren’t we pursuing the direct cause and effect?

I know, I  know…. Ya just wanna get your lift on and feel good about yourself for a job well done. I get it. All this babblygunk about mind and body should be left to people with white coats or therapy couches to figure out. Meanwhile let’s get our Fran time down or our max squat up and walk away a little bit better. As I’ve written in the first chapter of my first book, the intensity of our rendezvous with the iron creates a key opportunity to tap into ourselves far beyond the limp handshake or frail head nod our minds and bodies usually give each other. Why miss that chance!?

Sure, a good workout will make you feel better. That seems to be fairly consistent. But accomplishments in the gym and personal empowerment through movement aren’t quite synonymous. I’ve been accused of asking too much in this regard, but I’m surprised how many people aren’t asking enough. It happens, this little lift in the spirits through physical endeavor, with great frequency.  Why not pursue the process and get even more out of it?

CROSSFIT

What is the philosophy of CF? Almost every CF website links to what the main CF site calls their ‘philosophy.’ But it really isn’t much more than a explanation of their program model and some definitions of the tenets of fitness.  Nothing metaphysical, or even very inspiring, about it. It’s the What and How, not the Why, where any holistic fitness journey should truly begin. A big gap here, in my opinion.

TRAINING FOR WARRIORS

One of the posts on the website says “goals = focus. Focus = a warrior’s mind.” And, superficially, that sort of makes sense. But its hyperbole until someone starts offering some clues as to how this works, and that isn’t as easy to understand as you might think. TFW takes a big step in the right direction though by not just pointing out that intensity could lead to betterment, but to be aware of it. This might not give the needed second step between training and empowerment that we discussed earlier in this section, but it is an important aspect.

In other words, there still isn’t much description of step two, BUT there are indicators to be aware of to see if step three is happening; indicators beyond just increased performance.

So the strength to TFW is that planning and evaluation define the workouts and programming. Where are you going and are you actually getting there? This begins the process and keeps the process on track, unlike many programs where goals and outcome are just a byproduct.

RMAX

The philosophy behind RMAX is at times profound, but sometimes a little chaotic. Scott’s mind works a little differently from yours and mine, and he’ll be the first to tell you this (his Mensa membership is a constant source of pride on his website and writings). Sometimes the ideas coming out of RMAX, i.e. Sonnon, are spot on and brilliant, as in the first half of his book BodyFlow, but sometimes there are ramblings from his keyboard that obviously don’t pass through an editor or, heck, a translator, ending up either confusing (a top student of his once offered $100 to anyone in a workshop who could understand a certain book of his… it went uncollected), to utterly hyperbolic.

The good stuff to glean from the RMAX world is movement for health and longevity, not just workload for exhaustion. In other words be smart about your movement choices. Let movement be a release of stress, not an accruement of it, as is very common in modern workout protocols. Physically (and beyond), the Prasara and FlowFit DVDs are worthwhile, offering some foundation to complete body mobility that, with a modicum of creativity, you can expand on to create your own arsenal of flow work that can be added to the workout. Metaphysically, the Body Flow book begins a journey to understanding embodiment, which, as mentioned earlier, is key to applying intensity and movement to the increasing of your quality of life. He calls it Freedom from Fear-Reactivity, and if you were to spend any time in the RMAX world, this could be the most productive bounty.

WESTSIDE BARBELL CLUB

It’s extreme, and they pride themselves on a level of potential danger they can face daily. Hats off for such dedication, but it is no way a holistic approach to strength or ability, and ultimately serves little purpose to the tribe, family or… well… anyone.

Well, let’s check that for a second.  There might be one purpose. It’s a violent release, a cathartic battle between body and gravity, leaving your demons in the gym rather then carrying them around with you.  It just isn’t clear why there needs to be such a disregard for personal longevity in the process.  Perhaps there is an inner self-destructiveness that must accompany the outer struggle that appeals to a certain personality. Some call it going hard-core. It seems more selfish than productive, though.

This isn’t to signify that all powerlifters follow the exact map laid down by the likes of Westside, and as raw powerlifting gains momentum, there seems to be healthier motivations behind many of the journeys. Even folks who might not always lift raw, and might still have associations with the world of Westside can have an approach that might be less destructive.

Feel free to dismiss this as the ramblings of a skinny hippy who’d be rejected as a cannibal’s dinner simply because there wasn’t enough protein on these bones. Hey, I’m still seriously impressed every time I see an 800+ squat. I can still be inspired by the work it took to get there. I’m just always left wondering what else ya got?

___________________________________________________

This is part one of a collection of reviews about a handful of the groovy programs offered within our physical culture these days. Even though it is part one, it is still broken into 4 separate posts, so feel free to click below to shoot over to any of the other pages.

Intro
Physical
Metaphysical (you are here)
Next Post: Tribe and Integrity