ASHLAND — It’s a brisk Thursday at 5:10 a.m. Ashland native Alex Sharick quickly walks through the gate to Ashland High School Community Stadium where he is greeted by 11 other men beside the home bleachers.
After everyone gets situated, they form a wide circle with everyone facing inward. Each man grabs a cinder block and places it in front of him.
“Alright everybody, three minutes till 5:15. I’ve got some new stuff I want to try today so let’s get our warmup in and have a great workout,” Sharick says.
Over the course of the next 45 minutes, the men do a myriad of cardio and calisthenic workouts such as walking push ups, handstand holds, wall sits and running laps around the track. More bizarrely named workouts on their list include gorilla shuffles, thrusters and burpee bolts.
Throughout the session, Sharick encourages the men and gives pointers to those struggling. When he completes a lap around the track, he circles back to meet with stragglers and finishes their lap with them.
At the end of the workout the men meet for a COT, or “circle of trust” where they discuss updates in their lives and share announcements.
After leading a prayer to complete the session, Sharick scurries off around 6 a.m. to get ready for work as principal of Galion High School.
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Sharick, 49, is one of many members of the local branch of F3, a fitness group for men that encourages fitness, faith and fellowship.
F3 is built on five simple principles: free of charge, open to all men, held outdoors, peer led, and must end with a COT.
Although F3 is primarily based upon fitness, the organization strives to build community and leadership within its participants and in turn their communities.
To the group Sharick is known primarily as “Horshack,” based off of the titular character of the same name from the late-70s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.
“In F3 we have sort of a shared language,” Horshack said. “We all give each other nicknames that relate to their lives or past experience. You’re not really supposed to like your name and that kind adds to the camaraderie of the group.
“It’s all about making relationships and then making progress together.”
Since joining the group, Sharick has noticed a significant amount of physical improvement.
In the past year, Sharick and his wife challenged themselves to run a marathon in 24 hours, running 3 miles the first hour then one mile every hour following.
Two weekends ago the duo did the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, where they ran four miles every four hours for 48 hours.
“My first goal was to make 100 workouts in a year and I did that,” he said. “On my first workout ever with F3 we did 100 calf raises, 100 squats, 100-stiups and push-ups … I thought these guys were crazy.
“I’ve grown to the point where I can do the workouts, but I now have the mindset of ‘what am I going to settle for?’”
Each workout or “Q” is led by a different member of the group, Sharick included.
Since F3 is composed of men of all ages and fitness levels, workouts are tailored to the individual. Although there is a leader, no judgement is passed if someone falls behind or needs to adjust each individual exercise.
Some men do assisted push-ups with their knees, or substitute arm-hangs for pull-ups.
“We’re all brothers here, and that’s the beauty of it,” Sharick said. “The most important thing, that we realize is that the idea is simply that you’re in the fight.
“If you come in and you’re trying your hardest and really working, that’s what matters. That’s improvement and that’s what I’m proud to see in these men.”
While Sharick has made physical gains, he focuses more on what he has learned from F3 and the bonds he has made with other members.
James Mathatas, also known as “Roid,” believes that Sharick is a true representative of what F3 stands for.
“Horshack is a true leader and a great friend,” he said. “And how that manifests in this group, well he’s always mindful of helping the guys in the back of the pack and supporting everyone.
“You know this group, it’s really about making bonds and brotherhood, and he’s a big proponent of that.”
The “faith” aspect of F3 is another ideal that Sharick stresses.
While F3 does not define faith as one specific religion or faith system, it is more so a belief in something outside oneself.
To Sharick, this is setting a good example for those around him.
“I think with my role as a principal and as a dad, someones always watching,” he said. “I want to be better because that’s showing these kids that they can power through and do some amazing things.
“I don’t want to let them down and I don’t want to let down the other guys in this group. You are stronger than you think you are. That’s the most important thing I’ve learned from F3.”
F3 holds workouts on Mondays and Thursdays at both 5:15 and 6 a.m., and Saturday at 7 a.m. Workouts last 45 minutes apiece.
As the sponsor of Ashland Source's Life and Culture section, Brethren Care Village continues its commitment to enriching lives and promoting a vibrant community.
