Most of us feel accomplished after a one-hour gym session. But what happens when you attempt to train like someone whose workouts last eight hours? Will Tennyson, a fitness enthusiast and YouTube personality with over 3 million subscribers took on this challenge by spending a day training with Matt Fraser, the five-time CrossFit Games champion (2016-2020). What followed was an intense journey into the daily routine that helped create one of the most dominant athletes in CrossFit history.
When Warm-Ups Become Non-Negotiable
The day started with Fraser explaining the importance of proper warm-up routines. While younger athletes might skip this crucial step, experience taught him otherwise. "As age clicked up a little bit higher and higher, it became more important every time," Fraser explained in Will’s video. The champion recalled how in his younger days, he could jump straight into heavy clean and jerks, but things changed with time. "You start hitting late twenties and you're like, 'Ooh, a little bit crunchier than it used to be,'" Will quoted Fraser saying, setting the tone for the demanding day ahead.
What 'Fittest on Earth' Really Means
The title "Fittest Man on Earth" sparked an interesting discussion about athletic versatility. Fraser acknowledged that specialists would outperform him in their domains: "I can walk into just about any powerlifting gym and get out squatted. I can walk into most collegiate track meets and I'm going to get beat." However, as Will noted, Fraser's strength lay in his unique combination of abilities: "Find me the person that can squat 500 and run a five-minute mile" - a challenge that encapsulates the essence of CrossFit's demands.
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The Olympic Lifting Session
The technical portion began with Olympic lifting, where Fraser's expertise shone through. "I snatched in the one 30, so I think 132, 133. So just shy of 300," Fraser shared, demonstrating the level of strength required at the elite level. Will's technique improved under Fraser's watchful eye, with each rep bringing new insights. "That was probably your best one," Fraser encouraged, showing how minor adjustments could lead to major improvements.
Squats That Make You See Stars
The intensity ramped up significantly during the squat session. "First set. 10 reps. 335. We're going to pace ourselves," Will recalled, describing what would become an increasingly challenging workout. Fraser's expert eye pushed Will to new limits: "Based on how it looked, I'd probably go like 445," leading to one of the day's most intense moments. "Terrified right now. I can't let Matt down, though. He believes in me," Will admitted before taking on the challenge.
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The Mind-Numbing Row
The rowing intervals proved particularly challenging, with Fraser warning: "You put that handle down and you're three breaths in and then you're like, 'oh, I'm going in five seconds.'" The intensity left Will gasping: "I'm tasting pennies then. Holy…," he described, experiencing firsthand the cardiovascular demands of elite CrossFit training.
9,000 Calories a Day
The conversation turned to nutrition, revealing the enormous fuel requirements for such intense training. Fraser disclosed consuming around 9,000 calories daily during his competition days. "I gained 33 pounds in one month," he shared, demonstrating the extreme nature of elite CrossFit nutrition. The volume was so substantial that Fraser's wife, Sammy, handled all the cooking, as eating became "a chore" rather than a pleasure.
Mastering the Handstand
The afternoon brought new challenges with handstand practice. "I can barely stand on my feet some days," Will admitted as Fraser guided him through the progressions. The session revealed CrossFit's technical demands beyond pure strength and endurance. "Nothing to it, but to do it," Fraser encouraged, showing the patience required to master complex movements.
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The Brutal Finisher
The day concluded with intense metabolic conditioning that pushed Will to his absolute limit. "If you signed up for speed dating and then you ended up on the worst blind date ever. That's what a Metcon is," Will explained, perfectly capturing the intensity of these high-intensity intervals. The session ended with Will nearly breaking his nose during the final exercise, gasping "I might throw up" - a testament to the routine's brutality.
Recovery Like a Champion
The grueling day finished in the sauna, where Fraser shared his recovery routine of "two days on, one day off" with 30-minute sessions. Looking back at the experience, Will's simple declaration, "That was a beast of a day," perfectly summed up what it takes to train like the fittest man on Earth - a routine that pushes human performance to its absolute limits. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.