PLAYTIME: HAVING FUN IN THE GYM

PLAYTIME: HAVING FUN IN THE GYM

By Shane Robert

Making the time to exercise is a sacrifice; a necessary one, make no mistake about it, but it is still a sacrifice. The time it takes to complete a workout, even if it is only 20 minutes, is time that you can’t spend doing something else. Once we become adults, we often sacrifice playtime, since time is at a premium for most of us, and we need to be very selective on what we do and don’t do. Trying to find the balance between work, rest, and play can be a real challenge for most of us. However, some of the things that might be considered ‘work’ can still be fun and, with the right tweak, even fall into the category of ‘play.’

Since finding time to workout takes sacrifice, many people take it very seriously. It’s work, damnit. Not play! Although I get this attitude, sometimes it should be play. The gym offers some unique opportunities to have fun and play different games.

HORSE—GYM EDITION

I think most American kids will be at least somewhat familiar with the game of HORSE. If you aren’t, or don’t remember PE very well, let me refresh your memory:

Players take turns shooting, and if a shot is made, the next player must replicate that exact same shot from the same spot. Failure to make the shot results in a letter being assigned, and the first player to get the full word HORSE is eliminated from the game. The last player remaining is the winner.

In the gym, we can do the same thing with lifting. Take the same rules and concept, but outlift or out-skill your partner in a series of lifting challenges. If you can't replicate your partner’s lift, you get a letter. As in the original, the first one to spell HORSE loses.

Start by agreeing to what each player is familiar with and capable of performing. Don’t choose snatches, for example, if the other player or players aren’t proficient in that movement, or something that an injury might prevent someone from doing. Flip a coin to decide who goes first. Switch off who chooses the movement each round. No repeating of the same movement combo.

Any movement that is agreed upon can be completed in any way you see fit—for reps, for a heavy single, for time, etc.

Here are some examples of the types of things you might do:

• Deadlift: max reps with 2x bodyweight
• Squat: 20 reps with 225 lbs, no rest at top
• Pull-ups: 15 strict form reps, no kipping
• Push-up Variation: 1-arm push-ups (5 each side)
• Bear Barbell Complex: Power Clean → Front Squat → Push Press → Back Squat → Behind the Neck Push Press (heaviest single)
• Dumbbell Snatch Ladder: 1-2-3 each arm without stopping with the heaviest weight

A fun twist to add: if the other person can do MORE than what you did, they can remove a letter. 

It’s easy to use this kind of concept. Even people who aren’t equally matched in strength can compete against each other. Simply use bodyweight multipliers as a guide or scale the reps proportionately. 

Having fun in the gym is a great way to get a workout in. It also helps us achieve two key aspects of a balanced life at the same time—a little bit of work and a little bit of fun. If this doesn’t appeal to you, try coming up with your own games and challenges. Being a little silly and having fun might be just what you need to make new gains.