I tried SPARTAN DEKA - is it the best fitness race for anyone?

[@gregdoucette]

Looks like alot of fun if they removed all the running and made it all using the bike 😜

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Just cycling with deadlifts every 1km 😂 You’ve just invented a new sport 😁💪🚲

[@JamieChristianTheGiant]

I second this Greg. I’m following yourself and mark for some ideas on challenges I can set my mind to away from the stage!!

[@musyclover]

Tenerife is nice

[@Kevgti5]

I always appreciate the nuance of your channel especially in regards to people at different stages of their fitness goals. A lot of other folks on here have forgotten what it's like to be an over weight beginner. I, like you, would not have been super comfortable being the center of attention at the end like that. I hope the guy there enjoyed it, but I doubt it

[@joshgolo]

That looks great. I live in Tenerife and was just a gym bro but started crossfit a few months ago. Off the back of this video I literally just signed up for Spartan 10k race this Sunday. Never done one before. Thanks mate!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Good luck!

[@Wonderkid44]

How did you get on buddy

[@robws007]

Very informative. CrossFit never appealed, too much ego, so when you described DekaStrong as "competitive circuit training" that really resonated. The running + fitness station events (Hyrox, Deka Fit) appeal much more and, ironically, fit more with the original (old school, early 2000s) goals of CrossFit (Glassman's 10 aspects of fitness, etc.).

[@khanom27]

Great work on completing all 3 events back to back. Great showing as well. This event looks like something I’d like to try, specifically the Deka mile. As a beginner, i don’t think i could go through a Hyrox event entirely….maybe on a stretcher, but this seems more up my speed. Sadly, none scheduled for NYC anytime soon 😩

[@chrisbowman1113]

Love that your videos cover educating not just on fitness but things like events - especially when hands on giving true life feedback - great video as always 🤘

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Glad you like them!

[@htownblue11]

You need a donut box that has Jen’s voice yelling at you when it opens….95Kilo guaranteed! 😂🤣. Deka Fit looked fun. Always a fun ride watching you Mark.

[@melliott1988]

I've been watching for Hyrox events near me in the US, but now that I know Spartan does something similar, this will vastly help me find events that I can go to without having to take a ton of PTO, thanks Mark!

[@AyliaFox]

Loved what you had to say - and the way in which you said it. Thanks. I'm about to do my first DEKA event - DEKA Mile - in Birningham on Feb 18th, 2024 and your video has given me a huge insight into what to expect. I note you point out that DEKA Mile is way more fun than Hyrox, which I'm so happy about as I've done one of those and it was far from fun!

[@chrisgarber1526]

I did my first DEKA Mile about a month ago at a local gym here in the US and it was cramped and the run was done outdoors. They did waves of 3 participants about every 15-20 minutes and each of us was assigned a personal coach/marshal which was nice and was intended to make sure there was no cheating. This was my marshals first time so they did get some of the rules and counts wrong which caused me to get in my own head about it but overall it was a great challenge.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I imagine running like that, on a smaller scale, is a lot of fun. If a local gym to me did it, I will definitely join in.

[@doublewidemotorsports7217]

I love your videos, thank you for the inspiration and the advice. I am 51 years old and ran a new 5K PR this morning with a time of 26:06 and I was remembering your video from a while back of how you push yourself harder when racing with faster people. That idea was at the front of my mind. I was over a minute and a half faster than the last time I ran a 5K because of your video. I have my first full marathon on December 11th and will be thinking again of your tips and inspiration. You are doing great things here for a lot of people. Best Regards, Alan

[@glennkeppel9836]

6am in Tasmania and I'm just about to go for a 10k on water row. This was a good reminder as to why we all train. Brilliant video!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Watch out for those Tasmanian devils, only seen them in cartoons, but they look menacing 😂

[@glennkeppel9836]

@@MarkLewisfitness It's the drop bears that you need to worry about mate. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqqQp3ylls6fqLc

[@vinib9981]

@@MarkLewisfitness They are even more menacing in real life,…., fortunately they don’t row on water … come to think of it I am yet to see one row anywhere….😂

[@richardtaylor6412]

Thank you Mark. Informative and entertaining as always. Valid Deka points raised.I’ll look out for any Deka events in England.

[@ByondTheNorm]

You make some great points Mark! Deka is still new so who knows where they will be in a few years. Looking forward to finding out how smooth the Deka world championship will be this weekend!

[@DeanPattrick]

Always a pleasure to see all these different events. Glad "that" CrossFit clip made it into the video 😎

[@gombeane]

The RAM is designed and built here in Ireland, I know the guy behind it, that is how I discovered DEKA. Doing my 1st one in August. Next is I'm going to do a trifecta some time next year.

[@sandiegojoey1]

I've done my share of both, they're awesome! I will say this, that Hyrox is a polished, professional event, and much harder...much harder! The Deka Series is fun, as challenging as the effort to decide to put forth, but not the big professional production like Hyrox, but I still love it.

[@Nomadic_Latino]

Great job on completing the whole trifecta, just want to tell you that you really inspire us (My wife and I) and are on our way to "Above Average"..! at 53 i am pushing hard to be the best version of myself at this point in my life.! Thanks for your motivational jokes and for willing to expose yourself in all you do so we can see what is possible. I am doing my first Spartan (Super / in Dec.) and i am very excited.!

[@edgarcintron5900]

Just learned about Hyrox and Deca, I’m super excited to find these in my area in the states.

[@mikeellington4033]

Really enjoy your content, Mark. Stumbled onto your channel when you were doing lots of zwifting. This was when I started my zwifting journey back in 2020 so loved all these videos. I was fluctuating between 85-88kg at 178cm tall. Just over two years later I’m 64.5kg and a cat A rider on zwift for over 12months now. Also joined a great racing team, and captain weekly a team for WTRL’s team time trial events… highly recommend them for a challenge, and you’d be more than welcome to join 👍. I now find myself looking forward to your content on other stuff (Hyrox and ultra endurance running). Huge respect for your attitude toward challenging yourself and competing in things that you’re not built for. Great channel!

[@dougwing4485]

Used to love running and OCR but can no longer run for a couple of reasons. Have missed doing OCR so DEKA Strong is perfect for me. Going to find one to try. Great video as always. Keep them coming.

[@1519Spring]

I suspect DEKA Tenerife was small because it was on Tenerife at the end of the season. I suspect it's harder to get people to marshall a spartan event in Tenerife than in Toledo, Ohio.

[@MarathonMadeGalatians5-22]

Your defiantly knocking your self to much Mark. Your looking very strong in this video! well done

[@G..G..]

Without your before pics someone could look at you and think you just have good genes. Thanks for showing that it takes work to look and feel good.

[@benkinnard]

Good video - as someone who is now fully into Hyrox (thanks to this channel!) I'd be up for trying a DekaFit in the UK - they should bring it sooner rather than later as the demand is clearly there

[@stuartbrown1324]

Ditto

[@paulhume8083]

I probably wouldn't ever do one of these events but really enjoyed the video. Both Hyrox and Spartan need to watch this as the criticism was very constructive, excellent in fact.

[@wildernesstraining1957]

What a great sport you are Mark! Those were tidy events. Giving mere mortals the opportunity to test themselves without killing themselves in the process. From a competition perspective, those three Tenerife events, should tune you up nicely for Hyrox this weekend!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Or wipe me out 😂

[@wildernesstraining1957]

@@MarkLewisfitness I always tell this to those nearing their big day. Usually a boxer! There’s little one can do to improve upon their fitness during the week before an important contest? But there’s a lot they can do to mess it up😏 Hope you do well this weekend Mark. I’m not sure if you’re teaming up with Jen? Or going it alone? Best wishes either way👍🏽

[@MarkLewisfitness]

@@wildernesstraining1957 doubles again-hoping to get under 75 minutes-so about four minutes faster than last time. As you say, being careful not to mess that up this week!

[@wildernesstraining1957]

@@MarkLewisfitness Theoretically at least. You should improve on Birmingham’s performance. I certainly hope you do👍🏽

[@andreg1860]

Thanks for the video! I checked it out and there a Deka Strong here in March.. considering giving it a shot..... I'm In the middle of Ironman training and crossfit so this may be a nice change

[@paulmorrison30]

Excellent as always and expected ✊🏾

[@beachs7210]

Watching you do these events makes me want to try one out!

[@Idontdoitboii]

Awesome stuff Mark! Favourite channel right now

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Great to hear!

[@AlmaPerry]

I completed my first Spartan race (10K) this year. Salt Lake City is one of, if not the, hardest Spartan they offer. I really enjoyed the obstacle aspect of the race. I think next year I'll do their shorter race (5K) instead. I was plenty wiped out by the end of things. This is an interesting version of the race that they have. I'd love to try this sometime.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Yep, I love Spartan obstacle course races. They were incredibly important in my journey to getting back in shape.

[@mrstuarthatfield]

Good viewing 👍🏻love to see you do a video of a lap at Mikes gym Marbella ,awesome unique place.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Got invited to this summer but couldn’t make it. Hopefully on the list for next year.

[@ianc.4601]

Excellent content: good work. Thank you.

[@AspenPowderParty]

Last summer I ran a deka mile, then Deka fit this spring, finally graduated to Hyrox this fall. It was great to get to start with the deka mile, but I won’t do it again. It’ll be dekafit and hyrox from here on out for me. I’m also a “big lump”. Weighing in slightly more than you. Wish they had a Clydesdale category!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

That would be amazing - in fact, there should be a Clydesdale category in everything in life !!!

[@billyb3689]

Great to see someone start a video with "I love XYZ", great attitude

[@gj0_dev]

You look like you’re about to steal my clothes, boots and motorcycle

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Well, I already have the glasses 😂

[@steviea6070]

Can't let you take the mans wheels son!

[@andrewdickens7016]

@@steviea6070 ‘bow wow wow wow wow’

[@80y3r9]

@@MarkLewisfitness did you find your glasses??

[@MarkLewisfitness]

@@80y3r9 a subscriber jumped in the Fountain and found them for me!! And won himself a backpack!

[@user-qh5rm4hi4k]

love the British humor!

[@mbeganful]

You sir are brilliant!

[@dcoombe66]

Thanks for the beta on deka Mark! Been thinking about trying one - after the 3 HYROX event runs down here in Texas this season.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

They are a lot of fun and a nice compliment to the big scale Hyrox stuff

[@shalajaska9716]

Great video again Mark! But lets talk about one thing. Toss those sunglasses to the nearest bin. You of any people can and need to rock a proper size aviators.

[@MeriaDuck]

5:35 was cooling down from a training. That clip had my heart rate jump back to 160 again. Hope that chap's doing well after that.😂

[@jow125]

Just ordered a mug 😊 Hopeful it will keep me motivated through the winter months.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Congratulations, you are Merch owner number 2 (I’m number 1) 😂👍🏼

[@happyislandboyNZ]

cheers mark, enjoyed the content

[@Wordsmiths]

This was super helpful, Mark, thanks for doing reconnaissance for us all. Yay, cocktails and pizza! ;-) Good work, Jen! (Looking for a Deka Mile near me...)

[@JamieChristianTheGiant]

Loving the content Mark!! Would you ever Zwift again? I’m about 2 years behind you. I’m terrible at running but need some new challenges after competitive bodybuilding. Come out of Zwift retirement for me please 😉

[@Inspire196]

Another ace video - well done!

[@Badgertronix]

Good stuff. 3 medals and a burger sounds like a great weekend.

[@dobsy13]

Good work, Mark! Crushed it! Only exceeded by the job the camera operator did. Looked like a great trip.

[@turboelephant6298]

Happy birthday Mark! Top man. 👍👍

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Thank you 🙏

[@AM-tn8gg]

No, Hyrox should not worry. I paid for 2x Spartan Trifecta passes ( 6 races total) just before the forst lock-down. Spartan has since disappeared from Sputh Africa. Cool videos, keep them coming

[@MarkLewisfitness]

That’s grim. Same happened to me with iron man, hundreds of pounds lost. 😡

[@harrywalker4922]

"Shut her up". It didn't .. LMAO!! I Enjoy your videos

[@ghouse23]

I thought it would shut her up….. it didn’t. 😂 love the channel mark

[@MKay-u7z]

I admire the effort you take to find an event you're competitive at. Face it, you're 30lbs (at least) too heavy to be a competitive distance runner. If you added 100lbs to the weighted sled, and shortened the run bit to 800m, and added a mountain climb with a heavy pack, you'd knock out most of us skinny types.

[@charliekulkarni8864]

Thanks for the information.

[@marxcanlas2845]

6:32 i think the rubber bands were there to help count the laps.

[@richos5535]

Your wife is funny , great sense of humour.

[@mathias8013]

Thanks for the video! ☺️

[@TeeJay-ph8ho]

“I wasn’t taking it easy, I was pacing myself “ 😂

[@unice5656]

If you have bad enough exercise-induced asthma that it was measurably affecting your breath tests even with the inhaler, you should definitely see if adding something like montelukast can get better control! It might make a huge difference to your performance.

[@davidking1318]

Great video as always Mark.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Thanks 👍

[@rgweaver]

uggghhhh i wish there were more hyrox events in the US. i'm going to try a deka strong event near me in boston, but it doesn't look nearly as awesome

[@nicholasgibbins9223]

Nice video Mark, I can’t see any races outside of the US in 2023 - do you know of any?

[@winstonsmith1585]

That unintentional bar dismount clip goes against the better than average ethos.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

It’s funnier than average

[@CoolInOlympia]

Sounds much more fun!

[@robtravis6977]

Just signed up to do DEKA mile with no training in 2 days hahaha! Thanks!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Two days is plenty 🤣

[@PoetWithPace]

Nice one Mark! Gotta get the donuts 🍩 😜

[@Johnboysmudge]

Nice nod to nuclear races in that vest 👌 always great fun

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Hoping they will see it and give me a free race 😂

[@alhit007]

Ok another great video and breakdown of a Spartan race , you have now very much inspired me to go do one BUT!! the elephant in the room or on the island is Iwatch ultra! Where’s Garmin? Are you going to the dark side? As a watch nut as well as a training nut I have garmin7 , omegas (007) of course, Tudor, etc but haven’t tried ultra I watch, so are you saying you’re keeping it as your go to training watch??? Tks Al

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Watch tonight’s video 😁

[@yorgosk2938]

If you are from Ancient Greece or modern Greece alike. Deka meant "Ten" 4000 years ago as much as it means "Ten" today. We Greeks don't like change much :-D. Thanks for another great Video guys

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Luckily, most people in the UK wouldn’t have a clue so the joke still works 😂

[@yorgosk2938]

@@MarkLewisfitness Oh it did indeed, even for this pedantic Greek. I honestly had a good laugh. :-D

[@mmartel]

Good review and it's great to have events for all types. 👍 That said, these types of races aren't of interest to me at this stage of my life. If it doesn't have trails, obstacles and mud, it doesn't get my entry fee. Some day maybe, but I've prepaid for another "regular" Spartan trifecta next year. Cheers!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I hate mud 🤣🤣

[@abstractgeniuscomments]

Hyrox and Deka looks and sounds great, very similar to way I tend to train myself. BUT, being a sport from the USA, it takes soooooo many volunteering as marshalls, judges, track monkeys, riggers and what not. I do crossfit, same issue, I go to roller derby events, same issue; so many people are needed for the sport to exist. Huge problem in the long term.

[@stevesears8241]

For a guy who hates hard on CrossFit, you seem to love CrossFit style races.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

One of life's mysteries😂

[@allancox4694]

Great content, thanks for this on the latest fitness race, wondered where you were flying to. Had to laugh at the inhaler after lifting the RAM roller. What was the table of rubber bands for by the entrance to the RAM burpees @ 6:30 ?!?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

to count laps!!!! We had to ask too! You take one each time if you cant count to 3!

[@allancox4694]

@@MarkLewisfitness 😂

[@danbradbury4067]

Love this

[@Abanikosi]

Hyrox must have seen your comments on adjudication. Wall ball standards were savage in London. I had about 30 no reps. Well done both of you in the mixed.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I was all set to rip them apart, if the marshalling was as bad as Birmingham! London was super strict, and in a couple of places, it was an issue, because judges had clearly been told to take no nonsense, but when they weren’t quite sure of the rules some were enforcing things that were wrong (for example, telling people to put their hands to their feet when going down for a Burpee is not the rule) but even so, way better than Birmingham.

[@Abanikosi]

@@MarkLewisfitness yes I saw that later in the day. like they need to make the broad jumps harder. 100m torture.

[@Abanikosi]

Felt like 100

[@mattstankiewitch54]

Mark well put together video again. As a side note, your step ups on the box can be massively improved to better your time and efficiency. BTW the DEKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS is this weekend in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

As I was doing them, I didn't think they were not very efficient 🤣

[@rd2nowhere28]

Was really surprised by how small the event is. It looks good, but I can’t imagine one ever making it to the north of England.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I expect you will get affiliated local gyms, running small-scale, Spartan events first

[@rennleitung_7]

I think such an event can take place on any football play ground. But even if you want to have some infrastructure, there are at least Newcastle, Sunderland, Carlisle, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough. Yes, hyrox hast to worry.

[@rd2nowhere28]

@@rennleitung_7 I live in Hartlepool. If it arrives I’ll do all three. I think I’m safe though

[@Gerlfcbobby]

still waiting for hyrox to come to Ireland 🇮🇪

[@brox2153]

If i was the last guy. I would have been absolutely mortified.

[@kmtb2011]

have you ever tried hiking mount tiede? its an active volcano over 12,000ft in altitidude but oxygen level is 50% of whats at sea level, it really tested my fitness, felt like the most unfittest persn

[@MarkLewisfitness]

No, but it is on my to do list

[@mungo75]

Admittedly only 7 minutes in, but AWU or Fenix for the Tenerife event Mark?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Apple-currently sat in my sauna writing, the Apple TV Garmin video right now

[@justinward1580]

@@MarkLewisfitness Anxiously anticipating this video!

[@wgb2004]

Hi mark. Just wondering your times for each event? I did the Deka mile 2 weeks ago and would love to know how it compares. Love your channel.

[@CavalierLiberty]

That's pretty awesome that they award a medal for most haggard looking participant

[@El_Masters66]

Would you have a pop at the CrossFit Open? just for laughs of course 😅

[@Ian-ks9fo]

OCR/Hyrox/Deca races need more volunteers, maybe tell your viewers about the perks of volunteering?

[@damijan589]

Great video! Wanted to ask do you still use the Monkeyfeet for your hip flexors? If so, would you consider doing a follow up video talking about it? Thanks

[@over1498]

The running distance does seem confusing, especially the Mile event, how are they gonna accurately ensure people are running just 160m between events.

[@TheGariuk]

Do you think Deka will be coming to the UK?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Yes, but I expect it will come 1st to affiliated gyms, running small-scale events

[@Krb4619]

The line between shoes and stilts with springs starts to blur

[@The1trueDave]

12:45 - 12:51 Can I ask what weight the dumbbells are? And is the shoulder-height medicine ball lift still 30kg? Thanks!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

27kg. And yes, 30kg

[@TakeItToTheGround]

I like obstacle courses. Climbing, running, carrying, mud, water, gymnastic rings.... fun. This just looks like something you could do in a gym. Treadmill run, burpees, air bike, run, lunges, very little upper body strength or skill.... Dull.

[@chrisobyrne5675]

Was that a table of Ringos during the Deka Fit coverage?!?! (Snack reference for the over 40’s, at least)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I wish - it was elastic bands that people could put on the wrist to indicate how many laps they had run

[@chrisobyrne5675]

@@MarkLewisfitness shame was always a fan of a Ringo. Great content as usual.

[@pizzathehut2001]

As deka stong takes the least time, just run it first, the set up for the running events

[@infiniteaaron]

Your Instagram links need "www." to work. Thank you for sharing this event!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Done!

[@williamholaday8339]

What activity did you use on your watch to track the Dekafit event with running and exercise zones?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Cardio

[@mitchellcampion3880]

Hey big fella. Where can i grab that "be better than most" shirt?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Marklewis.co.uk

[@nathandolenc554]

Do you know the approximate weight of the sled/tank you’re pushing/pulling (men’s) ?

[@MarkLewisfitness]

They are on wheels. The weight isn’t what makes it hard. They use electromagnetic resistance.

[@successfulengineer]

You got me with the T-shirt, tried to place a order, but only UK shipping ? 😢

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Unfortunately the merch is set up with zero profit. We simply cover the cost - as soon as we move into international shipping and taxes we can’t do it without loosing money.

[@successfulengineer]

@@MarkLewisfitness Sorry to hear that! Keep up the good work anyway, been my favorite channel on YT for ages now.

[@fabianrares]

Never heard of Hyrox until your channel 🤔 will probably won't hear afterwards 😕