Lessons from Game of Thrones
To celebrate our unofficial GoT week at Atomic, here are some fitness lessons that we’ve learned from watching.
Grenn
It doesn’t matter where you start.
First abandoned as a toddler, so low born that he doesn’t even have a surname. Then he became a criminal, sentenced to serve on the Wall. Grenn becomes the most important person in the realm. Without Grenn, the Wall is lost, the entire population of Westeros is wiped from existence.
There was a giant underneath the wall that night and he was 5’10” tall.
“One of our giants went into your tunnel and never came out again.” – Mance Rayder in disbelief
“He’s dead.” – Jon Snow says, knowing something
“He was their king. Last of a bloodline that stretches back before the first men.”
“Grenn came from a farm.”
Don’t let the gym scare you. We were all beginners once.
Samwell Tarley
You can’t out train bad nutrition.
We love Sam (and anyone who fits Ned’s definition of bravery) and appreciates many of his very admirable traits but physique is not one of them. Even after some serious combat training and endless miles of walking, Sam hasn’t made any significant changes to his body composition.
The Mountain
Strength is key.
Being the go-to champion for Cersei and Tywin for any Trial by Combat is a demanding job. When he is outmatched by Oberyn’s unconventional style, the only thing that saved him was his high levels of strength.
Bronn of the Blackwater
But don’t neglect movement.
Bogged down by heavy armor, Bronn’s opponent in the Eyrie was no match for his ability to move. Exhausted and immobile after chasing the agile Bronn around during the Trial, Bronn easily killed him and sent him out of the Moon Door.
Gendry
Rowing is hard.
Gendry pushes off into the Blackwater Bay and hasn’t been seen since. If you are looking for a challenge, get on the C2.
Bran Stark
Too many plyometrics can be dangerous.
Too soon?
Jamie Lannister
Don’t let an injury slow you down.
Arguably the greatest living swordsman having his sword hand cut off, could have derailed Jamie. Thanks to his fortitude and Brienne’s influence, he is better off than when we met him.
The Hound
Eat adequate amounts of protein.
“Think I’ll have two chickens.”
Oberyn Martell (and the rest of Dorne)
Women aren’t 2nd class citizens.
Unlike the rest of Westeros, Dorne has equal rights for women, including succession of their throne. In the gym, women can erode their own confidence and miss out on huge fitness potential. At Atomic, we train as humans, not females and males.
Tyrion Lannister
Don’t let your limitations be an excuse.
Acknowledge your limitations head on, like the Halfman, deal with them accordingly and keep moving towards your goals.
“Let me give you some advice bastard. Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.” – Tyrion to Jon Snow
Barristan Selmy* and Ser Pounce
No real fitness lesson.
They are just the best two characters on the show and we strive to be more like them.
*In the unlikely chance Barristan the Bold turns out to not be the most honorable and most badass person on both continents, we retract our claim.
