The first goal was to complete a marathon on three different exercise machines as a team of six.
The second was to complete four hours of non-stop endurance, no matter what the metre count read.
The challenge was called Mind Over Metres.
On the 31st of January, 36 men rose to that challenge on Momentum Fitness Charity fundraising duty.
There were inflatable crowns and spinning wheel forfeits.
Homemade tray bakes and shots of electrolyte drinks.
And a team of legends who came together for something genuinely incredible.
This is how it all went down.
The day started with a meet and greet at CrossFit Southampton. 36 men arrived. Some alone. Some with their families and friends. Each saw the same thing.
Exercise bikes and rowing machines lined up in team stations taking over the gym floor. Ski ergs linked up to a monitor displaying the live leaderboard of metres and pacing.
A spinning wheel sat in one corner with forfeits like inflatable crowns, retro sunglasses or burpees for the unfortunate souls who lost on the wheel of fortune.
There were more snacks, sweets and energy drinks than you could count.
The music was quiet. A nervous apprehension hung in the air. The kind that only comes before something big.
Once everyone was gathered round, the official team t-shirts were handed out. Teams were finalised and the strategy chat began. Times, thresholds, orders, pairs. You name it, we talked about it. Some teams had a plan. Some had no plan at all.
But from that point on, we were all in it together.
Before we started, a moment was taken to remember why we were there. Funds raised from the event were shared with ManGang, a men’s mental health charity. The motto for the day was simple: It’s not weak to speak.
Men’s mental health isn’t the taboo subject it once was, but the statistics we know only too well are still just as scary. That’s why this event was designed for men and undertaken by men. Not just to support a good cause, but to create space. Space to talk, to connect, and to achieve something difficult together.
A minute of silence was held for a much-loved member of our community whose recent and devastating passing was especially raw in that moment.
After that, there was only one thing left to do… begin the challenge.
Each team took to their station as the ten-second countdown started.
Nine seconds – the music was turned up.
Seven seconds – heart rates started climbing.
Four seconds – high fives and fist bumps all round.
Two seconds – a deep, audible inhale from every man in the room.
Zero – go time.
Six ski machines roared into life as one. Bike pedals turned. Rower fans sliced through the air.
The race was on.
The next four hours went by in a blur.
Teams moved from machine to machine using the tactics they’d chosen. One minute you were locked in a ski erg sprint race with the person next to you at a pace so reckless it made you both laugh. Five minutes later, that same person was wearing an inflatable crown and retro sunglasses, going hell for leather on a rower.
Teammates leaned on each other between rounds trying to catch their breath.
Nerves and apprehension gave way to a driven sense of team effort you could feel across the room.
As the metre count climbed, energy levels dipped. The electric opening pace settled into something tougher. Something grittier. Aches and pains showed up everywhere you looked.
One by one, teams completed marathons on each machine. Each time, the entire room cheered them on. Again. And again. Until the final team crossed the line. From there, it was all about endurance. There was still over an hour to go.
When the final second ticked over, the room erupted. It was done.
Four hours of relentless effort.
Hundreds of thousands of metres clocked up.
And over £10,000 raised for charity.
Sweaty hugs and congratulations followed as the machines were cleared away and pizza was served. Teams stayed behind, laughing and swapping stories, comparing sore legs and battered hands.
But the messages that followed in the WhatsApp group told the real story.
“Lads, it’s a privilege to have worked out with all of you today. A group like this is a rare thing.” – Ross
“Remember, if anyone is struggling, we are here as a group to listen and help. We are stronger together.” – Dan. M
“Thanks to the heroes who organised and gave their time to put it together. Privileged and grateful.” – Dan. H
“Awesome afternoon. What a great group of blokes. So proud to have been a part of it.” – Tom
“I looked around more than once today and thought how lucky I was to be part of such an amazing group.” – Daryl
Long after the machines stopped, that feeling stayed. And that’s what Mind Over Metres was really about.
This is the incredible work your donations go towards. If you’re able to help and get more local people active and making connections that truly mean something – please click the link below.