As the joke goes, if you want to know whether someone does CrossFit, don’t worry. They’ll tell you. The same could be said for men who join F3, a loosely organized network of workout groups popping up all over the country.  

F3, which stands for “fitness, fellowship and faith,” involves groups of guys who meet outside in the early mornings to talk and work out. That’s it. No fancy equipment, no fees, and any man is welcome every day. CEO John Lambert recently told The New York Times the goal is to solve “a problem that society at large and men definitely didn’t even know they had: middle-age loneliness.” 

It’s working. If you’re wondering whether you’ve met someone in an F3 group, don’t worry. He’ll tell you.  

It’s a great reminder that sometimes creative solutions to even big cultural problems aren’t rocket science. F3 offers a witness to the goodness of fellowship in the lives of men—and particularly how fellowship grounded in faith in Jesus just seems to be the strongest and most life-giving kind there is.