Edition #2 | Intentionally Gaining (And Losing) 60+ Pounds

Good morning and welcome to The Weekly Rep, the official newsletter of fitness.

In today’s edition:

• From fit to fat to fit: This trainer gained 60+ pounds to better understand his clients’ struggles

• The latest news across fitness (a rare L for Amazon)

• Sitting is the new smoking: Can a standing desk save your health?

• 5 tricks that’ll make cutting weight easier (summer’s almost here!)

• High schoolers can now work out for free — all summer long!

Let’s dive in.

FLEX YOUR BRAIN

Ever started hurting a day or two after a workout? Blame DOMS, which stands for delayed onset _________ soreness.

a. Movement

b. Mobility

c. Metabolic

d. Muscle

Every week, we’ll pick three people at random who reply to this email with the correct answer to receive a 1-month Lift Box subscription!

Last week’s answer — Endorphins (we emailed the winners!)

IN THE NEWS

• Beginning May 15, teens between the ages of 14-19 can work out for free all summer long thanks to Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass

• Is Amazon’s wearable fitness tracker on its way out? Here’s what you need to know about the company’s decision to wind down Amazon Halo

• Alani Nu releases their newest product — Protein Coffee 

• Nike unveils a number of new training shoes including the Nike Metcon 8

• BPN launches their long awaited single-serving Go Packs for those of you on the go. Also, get a look at their new Field Bars…

WEEKLY WORKOUTS

No gym membership? Overwhelmed by the wealth of equipment and machines at your disposal? Traveling and out of your routine? We’ve got you covered.

No Gym, No Problem

• Ever heard of calisthenics? It’s the perfect way to mix things up and get a great workout in from home or your hotel room! Check out Lucy Saltmarsh’s Beginner’s Guide to Calisthenics to get started.

• Are you a total beginner? Maddie Lymburner, a personal trainer who’s better known as MadFit, has you covered with this 20-Minute Fat Burning Workout. With no equipment needed, you can do this routine from anywhere and start seeing results in no time!

For The Gym Warriors

• Are you tired of fighting for space at a crowded gym? Why not try Matt Tralli’s full body workout that only requires a pair of kettlebells? This workout is perfect for those who don’t want to wait for the machine hoggers.

• Want to take your push, pull, and leg workouts to the next level? Look no further than Jeff Nippard’s free routine that we consider one of the best out there! Whether you’re an intermediate or a seasoned pro, this routine will challenge you and build muscle quickly.

Looking For A Challenge?

2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of The Murph Challenge. Held on Memorial Day each year, the event has raised over $2,000,000+ for the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Here’s the challenge:

• 1 Mile Run

• 100 Pull-ups

• 200 Pushups

• 300 Squats

• 1 Mile Run

…All in a 20lb vest or body armor. Want to support a great cause? Learn more about the challenge and register today!

LIFESTYLE

What Happens When You Intentionally Gain (And Lose) 60+ Pounds?

It seems fairly common for those who are overweight to say (or perhaps you, yourself, have said it), “You don’t know what it’s like to be fat because you’ve been skinny your whole life,” to someone who is lean and fit. And they’re probably not wrong.

While there are several success stories of people who have lost weight and have expressed their journey, it’s difficult for those who have always “been in shape” to empathize with those who are currently overweight or obese and know what it feels like to spend a day in their shoes. That’s where fitness trainer and Fit2Fat2Fit creator Drew Manning took things into his own hands.

It’s not often you find someone who is willing to put themselves in the shoes of others (intentionally) to understand the physical and mental challenges they face daily. Drew Manning decided to walk that mile in someone else’s shoes so that he could better empathize with his clients and audience.

What exactly did Manning do? He took it upon himself to transform his incredible physique into an unhealthy vessel — gaining more than 60 pounds in the process.

Continue Reading…

THINGS TO…

…FOLLOW  🏋️

5 Tricks to Make Your Cut Easier

With summer just around the corner, everyone seems to be trying to shed a few pounds. But let’s face it, losing weight can be tough. These tips have been proven to work, and they’ll help you achieve your goals in no time. Give them a try and watch the pounds melt away!

GIVE THEM A GO.

…READ 📚

Our Standing Desk Review

Sitting all day can be detrimental to your health, but is a standing desk worth the investment? Our editor in chief put this question to the test by buying and using one for an entire month. In this article, she shares her personal experience and provides valuable insight into the pros and cons of using a standing desk. Don’t miss out on this informative read that could revolutionize the way you work!

SEE THE VERDICT.

…MAKE 🧑‍🍳

These Gluten and Dairy-Free Recipes

Dietary restrictions can make it difficult to find meals that work for you. Thankfully, there are people like Danielle Cochran pumping out new recipes every single day. One of The Rock’s favorites (seriously, check the comments) — banana bread cinnamon rolls with peanut butter frosting.

SERIOUSLY…MAKE THESE.

…TRY 📲

This Muscle-Building App

Are you tired of manually tracking your workouts and progress? We recently had the opportunity to test out Alpha Progression, an app that takes the guesswork out of planning and tracking your fitness journey. From personalized workout plans to real-time progress tracking, our team was impressed with its features. Read our full review to see how Alpha Progression can elevate your fitness game.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS.

…FIX 💪

Your Deadlift

Learn how to perform the deadlift safely and effectively with the guidance of Lisa Lanceford, a popular fitness trainer. Don’t risk injury by performing this challenging lift incorrectly. Check out her quick video for proper form and technique today!

DEADLIFT LIKE A CHAMPION.

LAUGHS FOR LIFTERS

• Dad Joke of the Week

  • Q — Why was the farmer kicked out of the gym?

  • A — He was destroying his calves

• Comedian Jim Gaffigan kills it in this stand up clip — “Fitness Goals”

• Ever tried shoulder pressing while sprinting? (please don’t!)

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Looking for a new energy drink to add to your lineup? Our team recently tried out JST WRK Energy, the latest offering from Axe & Sledge.

With a moderate dose of caffeine (200mg) in every can and 0 calories, 0 sugar, and 0 carbs, we were impressed by its refreshing taste and lack of guilt-inducing ingredients. The 4 flavors, including 2 in collaboration with ICEE, were all worth trying, but we did notice they were more carbonated than most energy drinks we’ve tried.

As a team that has tried just about every major energy drink on the market, we give JST WRK Energy a 7/10 rating. If you’re looking for a refreshing, guilt-free way to stay energized, give this one a shot!