In Reps! Number 25, on sale Jan. 3, we unleashed our new vision of the magazine. That vision includes a look at one Hannibal For King, an athlete who represents a new generation of talent in the world of physique development. We even included a QR code for your smartphone that would take you to a YouTube presentation of HFK’s amazing feats. Here, we give you some additional food for thought.
What may be the fastest-growing fitness trend in the world relies on materials found in the environment, on playgrounds and construction zones. This trend deals more with strength, balance and performance than with aesthetics hammered out with free weights. In this new development, in fact, it can be argued that the performance is itself the new aesthetic. Here, Reps! presents just a number of examples of what’s happening in the world of physique as it moves from show to go, from pretty to functional, from muscular poses on stage to eye-popping displays of calisthenics and plyometrics on a bar in the playground. Let us know what you think.
This video of a bar routine comes at you from Russia. Titled “Ghetto Workout,” this YouTube feature reflects the growing fascination internationally with incredible strength moves and functional feats.
More than 3000 miles away from Russia, these guys push the same fitness envelope in the Washington, D.C. area. This YouTube video, called “Bar Brothers DC Workout Georgetown—Raising the Bar!,” shows you how one American calisthenics group uses its environment to get in some training (and of course the opportunity to showboat—why not?—just a bit).
The world tour of street bar work continues with New York City, where you’ll often find Prophecy, also known as Wizard of Bars, performing in subways, on scaffolding and playgrounds. The amazing thing is that Prophecy weighs 255 solid pounds and stands 6’ 5” tall, body characteristics that make his moves that much more mesmerizing in this “Superman Street Workout.” Pay particular attention to his sick push-up sequence about midway through the video. The whole thing is inspiring.
