“A true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, will do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights, and fights, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies.”
-Kenny Powers
I’m not a big TV-watcher, but every now and then someone will convince me to check something out on the boob tube and I end up getting hooked. Recently, I’ve been introduced to the awesomeness that is Eastbound and Down and haven’t looked back.
The main character, Kenny Powers, is a foul-mouthed and washed-up former MLB pitcher. While he works as a substitute gym teacher, he harbors delusions of grandeur that, like a Phoenix rising again, he will one day make a comeback to the big leagues.
So, he does what anyone would do in his situation: start training his ass off, videotaping it, and sending it off to every agent he can get the address of. The resulting infamous “Kenny Powers Training Video” can be found below.
The Kenny Powers Training Video
If you’ve seen the show (which you should), you’ll know that Kenny does just about everything wrong in his quest to get back into fighting shape. But let’s take a minute to look at a couple things he does right.
Screw the Gym, Work Out in the Garage
How are you supposed to get in shape when you’re broke and forced to move in with your older brother?
Ya gotta do it on the cheap, my man! In the training video, Kenny goes to town on the free weights, punching bag… and NordicTrac. Wait, you might want to skip that last one. Does anyone really own those things anymore?
Although most people think that a gym membership is key to getting in shape, you can get killer results for far cheaper if you invest in some basic cheap exercise equipment.
Don’t Try to Be the Best at Exercising
Most guys are a bit too interested in “trying to be the best at exercising.”
Don’t get me wrong, being able to lift heavier weights for more reps is a great way to measure your strength gains, proving to yourself that you are indeed gaining muscle and progressing towards your fitness goals. But I see so many guys bragging about how much they can bench that I wonder if they are getting any benefits other than stroking their own ego.
This is more likely the beginning stages of becoming a “gym rat” – spending more and more time working out even if your results become smaller and smaller.
It’s best to know why you train in the first place, optimize your workouts so you get the most bang for your buck, and open up as much free time as possible to do other things in your life. Sure, you won’t be the best at exercising, but at least you’ll have time for a social life!
He may not be the greatest of role models, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn anything from the Kenny Powers training plan. Anyone see the new season yet?
I'm a science geek, food lover, and wannabe surfer.
{ 7 comments }
Hey really funny TV series, never heard of it before but I definitely try to find it.
But you are right you don’t a gym to get a hot body. You really just need to challenge yourself.
Why I train?thats always a good question to ask cause sometimes it can change along the way. Mine started out as keep fit as I get older then it became look lean, muscular and have a functional body.
So as my reasons changed so did my style of workouts.
Raymond
I agree – your gym-less summer is moving into fall!
Darren@MorePrimeTime.com
I gave up going to the gym a long time ago and purchased my own set of free weights, a weighted vest, and I think it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. You can always do some push ups, jumping jacks or whatever during tv commercials.
Plus you have no excuse for not getting into shape. There’s no driving time or memebership just dedication from yourself. I’ve never seen this show but isn’t this the guy from Land of the Lost?
Keep up the great site!!
-Thomas
Darrin,
This guy is hilarious! I haven’t seen the show, but I’ll definitely need to check it out.
Alykhan
Hi Darrin
This looks funny will keep my out for it on the UK satellite stations. Got to admit I have been a gym rat in the past and focused on being good at exercise. However at the moment I am in the stage of wanting to stay fit and lean but also learn new skills and start doing activities that don’t feel like I am just doing them for fitness. Hence I have started playing soccer again, trying to fit in the odd game of tennis and looking to finally learn golf. Don’t get me wrong I still love working out that will never stop but I am find the variety is great to keep things from feeling stale.
Cheers
H
I left most of TV behind about a year ago. However, this looks pretty amusing. I’ve never had a gym membership…always preferred to do things in the privacy of my own home without any distractions.
I stopped watching tv at home about 2 years ago but I did get a chance to watch kenny powers in a hotel room about a month ago and I died laughing. he’s hilarious… and the garage workout is not a bad idea.
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