Living, like I do, in the Bible Belt means that whether you go or not, church is a steady influence in your world. So much so, that , while it happens less often than it used to, it is still not uncommon on meeting someone to be asked,  “Where do you go to church?”Growing up, my own church attendance was spotty at best. We never belonged to any one congregation and when we did go (usually around Easter) we went to what ever church was most convenient. My parents tended to lean toward the Methodist or Presbyterian variety and it was … Read More »

If you haven’t already, meet Robbie Morgan. Robbie started training with us way back in April of 2013. At present, he and his wife, Jana, are early morning regulars. They can be found in the gym in the 6 am hour Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They’re in Jimmy’s Boxing classes on Monday and Friday and the Progressive Strength Training class on Wednesdays.Robbie has been an ardent supporter of Agoge Fitness Systems for quite a few years. Here’s our interview:Hey Robbie, wanna do the AFS Member Highlight with me this week?I’m always ready to help out the people and place that … Read More »

This week start’s the mark of a new cycle for our Progressive Strength Training classes. While the weather here tends to be a little slow making the change, summer temperatures carry on well into October, the days are getting shorter and we are beginning to shift out of summer mode. Our workouts this cycle will reflect that change.As the weather, eventually, begins to cool off, we’ll naturally begin prepping for winter. Without thinking about it, we’ll start consuming more calories and putting on winter weight. Rather than fight that natural inclination, we’re going to work with it and channel those … Read More »

There is something that most people miss when talking about success or living the life of their dreams. They think that if they work hard, and do all the “right” things that a big reward will roll their way and then they can stop doing whatever it was that reaped that grand reward and begin enjoying their lives. They miss the point: the work is the point.Not in some I’m-only-here-to-slave-my-life-away-and-to-live-as-a-drudge-for-the-benefit-of-others kinda way, but more of a work-is-why-we’re-here kinda way. The reward, the good life we all seek, is so we can continue doing work that matters.Work that matters. That’s intentionally … Read More »

Last week I posted an article to our private Facebook group for Agoge Fitness members. It carried the click-baity title: “Men Are Getting Weaker – Because We Are Not Raising Men” and went on to bemoan our current cultural inclination away from all things traditionally masculine (except beards; beards are cool), especially physical strength. I posted it to the group because I wanted to get a feel for our group’s cultural feeling toward things masculine as I have much to say on this subject. But first, a little background. I was born a middle class, white boy in suburban Alabama … Read More »

This is one of those hyperbolic statements the fitness industry loves to “inspire” you with.Suck it up buttercup! This will only make you better!It’s not so much the sentiment that’s the problem. Frankly, sometimes we do have to embrace discomfort in order to improve. Growth is uncomfortable. Achievement requires effort​ and effort ain’t easy.The problem is how we apply this sentiment. We mistake embracing the suck of the effort to achieve our goals with embracing the suck period. A good life is balanced. We gear up, we do battle with our challenges, we do our best, and then we celebrate … Read More »

Do the thing, and you shall have the power. – Ralph Waldo EmersonYou may have seen this quote posted on the white board over my desk. It hovers over me as I do the desk work that comes with running the gym and it reminds me that everything I want is within my grasp.But first, I have to do the thing.What thing?Any thing. Whatever it is I want. But to get it, I must first do it. This may seem daunting at first. Much of what we want we don’t actually believe we can achieve. We just wait, hoping like … Read More »