The gym is your agoge, it isn’t a fucking fashion show, a place where selfies are taken. ~Chad Howse
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Training began because of battle. Gladiators and warriors alike trained to become better at war. They did it because they didn’t want to die. In order not to die they had to become faster, stronger, and better than their opponent. (Read This: Why You Shouldn’t Want Sixpack Abs)
It’s a far cry from why people enter the gym today. And I know what many will think – “if they’re in there, good, it shouldn’t matter why”.
Fuck that.
Intentions are everything. If you’re in there because you want to be seen in there, you’re in there for the wrong reasons.
Society’s emasculation has crept into every facet of our lives. Men aren’t going to the gym to become healthier, stronger, better (I know you are, you’re different, the sissy taking the selfie isn’t), but to be seen. It’s an event.
The camera phone is their main source of equipment. Abs are gotten to be shown, nothing more.
They bull up when they walk past another human when there’s no way in hell they could do any damage to a worthy opponent.
They’re matching from head to toe. Hair combed to perfection, weird pants on, new shoes done up, clothes covering a hairless, manicured body. They’re women with an Adam’s apple.
Men aren’t as tough as we once were.
We don’t do what’s necessary. Chivalry is all but dead. We want glamour and fame, and the gym is simply a microcosm of this pussification.
Skill and strength isn’t the goal, but vanity.
We’re fixated on a look, an image, but the toughness and grit that can be gained from the iron eludes us.
You know who I’m talking about. It likely isn’t you. You’re here, you’re after something more, something greater.
You’re using the gym to become stronger, faster, better. An improved version of yourself. But you’re also there because of the pain.
You know that pain is good. You require it as a test. Your phone isn’t snapping pictures of your abs or arms and vanity isn’t what you’re after.
The gym is your agoge, it’s your training ground for life.
It will help you persist. It will help you lead the life of adventure that you want to lead, to defend those you want to defend, to grow stronger and become the man you want to become.
Don’t go the way of the vain sissy lying in the tanning bed after a day of curls. Train your ass off because it’s the hard road.
You don’t have to be in there. You could be taking it easy, relaxing, resting. You’re in there to work hard, to kick ass and take names. To hustle, sweat, even bleed, and then get back to work after your training is done.
Read This: The Real Reason You Train
