Tag: The FORGE

Welcome to The Forge Underground, RVA’s most secretive club experience. Part endorphins, part Mission-district oxygen bar post-Google IPO, this wildly exclusive workout is the talk of the Southside glitterati. With all you eat mirkins, this unique venue is hidden deep in the bowels of Hugeunot High school and jamming all morning with the sounds of Snuff’s mind conveniently collected in his Spotify top songs of 2022. “What’s the name of this band?” “The name of this band is Robot Koch.” Incredulous looks. The tunes flowed, the bass echoed off the frozen concrete walls, and the gloom reverberated with the aural manifestations of a mind unhinged.

After warmups, the tech elite performed a spontaneous addition from DTH: Cinco de checko. Timer runs the loop, monkey humpers, WW2s, wall-sit hoedowns, and hand-release mirkins. Times five rounds. With a nice cherry on top: 11s of donkey kicks and dirty hookups. The tech team monitoring my work computer is very confused.

Thanks for the rainy morning – post workout rush reminded me of the days of clubbing until the sun comes up. I guess this is just how F3 likes to party. So happy to see Crash Test Dummy roll up. Good man.

An intrepid 6 pack of gloom explorers assailed the Forge to test their metal against the elements. To ensure none of his mighty flock caught a cold, the Pediatrician kept the PAX (mostly) dry under the school’s awning. 90’s rock blasting, these HIM’s conquered the following:

The THANG:

WARMERAMA:

• Mosey over to the high school’s main entrance awning (mostly dry) and circled up
• Upon arrival, the rock station simultaneously began playing Thunderstruck by ACDC, so the Q called a warm-up where the PAX complete SSH, then do a ball-dipper for every time the lyric “Thunder” or Thunderstruck” os heard …LIFO Snuff arrived to enjoy the last 20 seconds of this 4:53 warm-up
• Variable IC Reps, including setting the all time record on Crab Cakes IC… “do it for your momma!”

COP #1:

• With Snuff making it a perfect 6-pack, the Q then called a DORA
• x100 Box Jumps
• x200 Merkins
• x300 American Hammers (2-ct)
• Moving partners moseys around the short end of the bus loop

COP #2:

• Tight circle for x2 Burpee Ring of Fire, PAX holding deeep squat while waiting
• Big-O’s x10 IC, CW then CCW
• Derkins, slow and painful, x10 IC
• Dips x10 IC
• Maybe some other IC exercise?

COP #3:

• TRIPLE CHECK
• P1 – Hoedowns 
• P2 – Groiners
• P3 – Crab or Bear down to end, mosey back

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama # 6
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Below)
• DEALER took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:  Always heartwarming to have company for the ugly gloom, and the mostly dry space to workout accompanied by the 90’s rock brought some cheer. Toto’s 12:36 live performance of “Africa” was an interesting distraction during the Dora, and there’s a consensus that Big-O’s done on a surface without something to hold onto at least doubles the difficulty. Many thanks to these guys for helping YHC kick off an otherwise cold gloomy rainy day with a victorious Spirit! SYITG, DTH

Announcements:

• See Slack

Prayer Requests:

• Dealer’s Mom Kathy and her partner Micky going through a rough patch

YHC arrived at the Forge to find a Red Fox mulling around the AO but quickly darting off into the woods once the headlights of the truck came into view. 10 others soon started filling in the parking spaces to bring us to 11 total. According to the owl here is how things went from there.

Mosey to the ticket office for the COP

DQ’s, Imperial Walkers, Helicopters, Deadman Hangs, LBC’s, Heals to Heaven

Mosey to the corner of the bottom parking lot

Four corners prostitute – Exercises are Smerf Jacks, WWII’s, Plank Jacks, Squats

Mosey up the stairs to the next parking lot

Four corners prostitute – Exercises are LBC’s, Sugar Sticks, American Hammers, Scrunchy Frogs

Big four corners from the top of the upper lot stop at the first stop sign your choice WWII/Merkins, stop at the entrance of the lower lot your choice WWII/Merkins, stop next to the ticket office Smerf Jacks, up the stair to the last corner for Ball Dippers.

BTTF

Numbers / Names Machismo took us out

Three certainties in life: death, taxes, and a holiday Mystery Box appearance at the FORGE. 5 men came to see what our enigmatic friend had in store. A brief summary for your viewing pleasure.

Mosey to the elementary school for Warm Up: SSH’s, Arm Circles, Ukranian Soldiers, Alabama Prom Dates, High Knees, Butt Kicks, Karaoke x 2.

Mosey to the back of the school for the Mystery Box Workout:
One man pulls an exercise from the box, grabs medicine ball, and runs to Forest Hill Avenue and back. PAX perform that exercise for the duration. Rinse and repeat.

Bearpees
Carolina Dry Docks
Hand Release Merkins
(S)Crunchy Frogs
Broad Jumps
Crab Walk
American Hammers
Side Straddle Hops
Crab Cakes
Lt. Dans
Mountain Climbers
Jump Squats
Hello Dollies

Back to flag – 2 minutes of Monkey Humpers to close out.

Numbers/Names/Announcements

YHC took us out

Final Thoughts: Mystery Box was bringing the heat today! YHC was merely there to assist. Appreciate all who came out. I think the Mystery Box Playlist received mostly positive feedback with a few controversial choices. Strong mumble chatter highlighted by Bone Thugs talking about “Sucker MC’s.”

3 redwoods stood in a parking lot on the outskirts of the City of Richmond waiting for the appointed leader, when said leader did not post as the clock struck 0530 a hot potato sprang forth from the earth and lead the gentlemen into the gloom. While it is known that the potato is not well received by some of the PAX, the 3 Forged into the darkness in search of merkins and prom dates.

Warmup activities began in front of the school led by a smurf named Snuff who then found some traffic cones to be used as props for a triple check. Run the loop of the parking lot, Squat thrusters with the cone and the one best left to the imagination…APDs with the cone. After two rounds a 4th redwood appeared around the bushes and almost abandoned us at the sight of the cone centered APDs. Realizing we were just taking safety to a new level he happily joined in the fun.

Last Call took us around to the amphitheater but not without a stop on the hill for clockwork merkins. Elevens with dips and incline merkins ensued with discussions of Taylor Swift tickets and family social activism.

Next up YHC took us around the middle school with varying travel methods and exercises on the lightpole alley, finishing with a 2 round Dora of merkins and flutters. After a generous offer of writing the backblast even if the workout did not close with me on the Q, Bone Thugs took us to a wall for some sit and slaps or something that was painful. Close it out back with the cones to emphasize the safety theme.

What a great cool morning to be in the gloom. The cold weather is coming so remember – SOP, sleeves are not always needed but take care of the digits. Tips on getting Taylor Swift tickets are welcomed by Last Call who’s family may or may not be planning to tour with her.

Announcements – See slack but here are a few

• Ruck for canned goods Friday
• HDHH – 11/22 Hardywood West Creek
• TYA’s Thanksgiving history lesson – Time?
• Forest Hill Loops – Friday after Thanksgiving
• Bone Thugs is running a half marathon (TBD)
• Return of the Frozen Triangle – Details to come

5 men of The Forge decided to chance fate and give up Q control to co-VQers Dealer and House Party. It’s a morning I’ll never forgot. 

Dealer got the crew warmed up with some off-cadence Don Quixotes, Helicopters, and Merkins. Practice makes perfect, and Dealer’s got some YouTube “How to Count on Cadence” videos to watch. 

House Party cleaned up the mess with strong sets of 10 burpees – 20 squats – 30 WW2s – RUN; then 8 burpees – 18 squats – 28 WW2s – RUN; then rinse and repeat dropping by 2 until WW2s descended to 0.

Dealer ran the men through the Gloom to the place of 5 Oak trees for Bear Crawl in the Fall. Bear Crawl to second Oak tree in line – 10 ball dippers DC – mosey back to first Oak. Bear Crawl to third Oak – 8 ball dippers DC – mosey back to first Oak tree. Repeated until we conquered all 5 Oaks. 

Moleskin – Appreciate House Party partnering on the co-VQ. Grateful for the encouragement to snap VQ morning of. Glad for the coaching throughout. 

14 of some of the finest people I know showed up ready and eager for an anniversary beatdown. So not one to disappoint, it was time to stretch and add some merkins to our count for the Merkin Challenge. 

Since we were called out by New Jersey, I didn’t know if we were supposed to be wreaking of Drakkan Noir while doing the merkins or what.  Anyways, I wagered a six pack of beer to the winner of the most merkins in 2 minutes, which turned out to be DTH.  Doozy kept time for the contest. 

Next, we went to Mount Chaplin to Bernie uphill three times.  We finished up at the top and then we bear-crawled to the road, thus ending our warm up. 

I had the PAX get into small groups for a one mile run.  The route was short, but it had three decent hills before the end. 

When we got back, we took a few seconds to catch our breath and then head to the soccer fields for the return of the Dirty 30!  Everyone does one rotation of the circuit exercises of:

30 LBCs,

30 heels to heaven,

30 World War II’s,

30 Freddie Mercury’s,

30 hydraulic planks,

followed by a brief rest period of running to the amphitheater, box jumping to the top, running down the steps, and then returning to the group.

This time I added a twist: Once everyone went through the exercises once, it became a triple check.   To celebrate the epic return of the dirty 30 and the birth of the Snuff named “Triple Dirty” , we did some more merkins and went back to the flag. DTH took us out.

Moleskin:

I don’t honestly have a good reason why I’ve never done an anniversary queue, but this year, I’m glad that I finally did one! I had been battling complacency lately, and I kept hearing in the back of my mind that I needed to remember. I needed to remember how hopeless I felt when this journey started, how I needed to be told that I would die if I did not change, that I had three great reasons to change who I used to be, that I had and have people in my corner, that the power to change was inside me all along but obstructed by my own mind. I also had to be reminded of the weight I carried not too long ago.

We started the workout at the bottom and took it to the top of Mount Chaplin to speak on perspective. The run was to give the joy and therapy of running with your brothers, like I got with TYA and Hardywood. After the run, we talked about facing the hills, to look them dead in the eye like Swirly told me to! Lastly, the Dirty 30 was bought back to remember my first Q and to remember the comment that shook me to my core and forced me to seek help. At the flag, there was one last reminder of the weight I carried but as a wise farmer from Amelia told me: “We all need to be reminded of the weight we carry. You have the blessing of knowing what it feels like to move through life without it….” Let us do what we can to give that blessing to someone else. May we all keep looking for and helping those who need their purpose restored and having that compassion that makes a difference.

I thank you all for your support, friendship and mentorship throughout these past four years. I love you all dearly, and I hope to give back to all of you as well! I am Bone Thugs, and I will see you at the crossroads.

PS — Please post any announcements or prayer requests in Slack.

9 middle aged men gathered at the Forge to greet a new day. According to the Owl here is what went down.

Mosey down to the bottom of the hill, pass the sewage area and mentally re-route the trip back

COP – DQ’s, Deadman Hangs, Helicopters, Imperial Walkers, Ukrainian Soldiers, SSH, LBC’s

Starting at the first light pole (your choice) Big Boy Sit-ups or Burpees. Start with 1 and add 1 at each light pole until the rails

Lung about a quarter of the way up, broad jump, Lung, broad jump to the top

Mosey to the ticket booth area for a triple check

Partner 1 does wall sits, partner 2 does dips while partner 3 runs to the stairs, tooth fairy up and mosey around

Mosey up the stairs and back towards the flag at the bottom of the first hill on Mt Chaplain

Elevens using the hill. At the bottom 10 Jump Squats, Bernie up the hill, 1 (2 count) Ball Dipper

Line up in the parking lot (you choose your mode of transportation) (Lung, Bear Crawl, Crawl Bear, Whatever you decide) from lot line to lot line. 1 Jump squat at the first line and increase by 1 every line until 10

BTTF Numbers / Names Chaplain took us out

NMS:

Sometimes YHC just feels old and hearing the ages of the guys in our group this morning (Most 42) reminded YHC that I’m not in my 40’s anymore. I tried to workout and run in my 30’s and 40’s but we didn’t have a group like F3 so YHC drank and smoked most of those years away. I am so grateful to have F3 at 51 to be out here pushing myself, asking others to dig deep and push themselves. Keep pushing guys, age is just a number.

Seven Forge regulars exchanged toasty fartsacks for frosty fun, as follows:

The THANG:

WARMERAMA:

• Moseyrama on the smelly hill
• Variable IC Reps to get warm

COP #1:

• Indigenous Curb Crawl

COP #2:

• Triple Check at the Amphitheater 

COP #3:

• 50’s at the Track

Mosey BTTF:

• A few small COP’s and a sprint BTTF
• A few mins of Mary

COT:

• Counterama # 7
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Below)
• LAST CALL took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:  The PAX enjoyed the Smell on repeat, observing the birth pains of a novel Tryhard exercise, Last Call wishing upon a shooting star, Snuff nearly forcing the Q to audible on 50’s, the naming of the Echo Chamber, and the return of the infamous BoneRubs. Twas fun, thx fellas. SYITG, DTH

Announcements:

• 5-8pm TONIGHT we’re meeting up for Happy Hour at The Veil of Forrest Hill with M’s & 2.0’s in tow. 

Prayer Requests:

• Keep HOUSE PARTY and his family in prayer as they’re taking in the grandkids this week out of a foster situation. They need our help with some last minute little kid supplies which you can bring to HDHH tonight or to Rock&Roll Sat AM. They need little girl cold-weather clothing (sizes 2T-6T welcome), a little kid table and chairs and/or booster seats, and whatever little girl toys/books/dolls/etc you can part with. Let’s help our brother out! 

6 men enjoyed some stimulating conversation that focused on bad alcoholic beverages, teenage impulsivity, and proper monkey humping techniques. We also managed to get in approximately 45 minutes of exercise. A brief summary for your viewing pleasure.

Mosey to the lower circle for Warm-Up:
SSH’s, Ukranian Soldiers, Monkey Love Makers, Imperial Walkers, Hand Release Merkins, LBC’s
AND Mario Jumps, Squatting Side Shuffles x 2, Mummy Bernie all across the circle.

Exercise One: Pole Work
1st pole – 20 hero plank jacks
2nd pole – 20 jump squats
3rd pole – 20 2 ct. American Hammers.

Repeat pattern until we reach the Brokeback Railing area.

Exercise Two: Team Double Triple Check
Runners run up the ramp and back.
Exercisers do: Balls to the Wall (rd. 1), Chicken Peckers (rd. 2), Pigskins (rd. 3).
Switch runner/exercise between rounds

Mosey to Mt. Chaplain for Exercise Two:
On the ascent: Bear Crawl up hills/grass areas, Jackrabbit Jumps on parking lots.
On the descent: Crab Walk hills/grass, flutter kicks: 25, 50, 75, 100

Exercise Three: Monkey Humper Ring of Fire
Monkey Humpers while one man runs to the school and back. Go until everyone has run.

Back to the flag for Names/Numbers/Announcements/Prayer requests

YHC took us out

Final thoughts: Appreciate the small but enthusiastic crew on this rainy morning. There was absolutely zero chance of us looking for a sheltered area. Way to push through! Some hilarious discussion of teenagers vomiting bad mixed drinks – really brought me back to the good old days.