Physical: 100 - 5 Powerful Fitness Lessons From The Hit Show

Physical:100 showcases that when it comes to strengths, stereotypes are a thing of the past. Not only does it show that Asians can be just as buff as Westerners, but the reality series also acknowledges that women can be leaders in sports and fitness, too!  

More so, it’s refreshing to see diversity in action. Contestants, after all, come from all walks of life. From fitness influencers, celebrated MMA fighters, gymnasts, to an Olympic gold medalist, each has an interesting background that makes the show even more compelling. 

Despite their differences, they all have a goal in mind. And that is to not smash their plaster torso into smithereens (along with vying for a hefty cash prize).

Here are 5 takeaways from Physical 100 you can take to heart. (Warning: some spoilers ahead!)

1. Bigger isn’t always better

It’s easy to think that the more muscular you are, the higher your chances are at winning, especially in a game that involves wrestling. But, apparently, it’s not always the case. 

Take stuntwoman Kim Da Young’s victory over Jiu-jitsu fighter Chae Wan Ki for instance. The match was simple – in an arena, two contestants must fight to get the ball and keep it. 

At a glance, one might conclude that someone as buff as Chae Wan Ki can simply push a petite woman, like Kim Da Young. But even in the short snippet of their fight, we can see the stuntwoman speeding away from the Chae Wan Ki and persistently wrestling him for the ball, earning her a win. 

Need more proof? Just look at the Physical:100 Final 5! None of them is a bodybuilder!  

2. Working smart is a skill worth having

In Episode 4, contestants have to move bags of sand. The team who ends up getting the most sand in the tube wins. But looking at the mechanics, it’s obvious that working hard just wouldn’t cut it – they have to work smart, too. 

You see, the teams have to build the bridge by Velcroing wooden planks on ropes. In other words, the challenge requires several things: strength and endurance, speed, patience in building the bridge, balance, and communication. 

Even if they are strong enough to carry bags of sand uphill, if they move too slowly, they’ll lose. If they move fast and the planks are not secured well, attaching them time and time again would ruin their progress. 

In the end, the team that made sure that their planks were sturdy and secure won. 

So, if you can work smart, strategize! 

3. Being mentally strong is important, too

While the show highlights the best builds, everyone agrees that mentality is a huge factor in all the games. 

Physical:100 crowd favorite, Choo Sung-hoon, a celebrated MMA fighter known to many as Sexyama is nearing his 50s yet he’s still proven himself to be a formidable opponent. He did so well in the mud wrestling challenge and even brought his team to victory during the Team Boat Challenge – despite others noting that they didn’t have the “strongest” members. 

As he said, “They should not underestimate this middle aged man.” He just proved his mindset to be true. 

In many individual challenges, too, such as The Punishment of Atlas, a winning mindset is crucial. Once the opponent gets the sense that you’re giving up, they might just feel more motivated to push harder!

4.  Pacing yourself can be better than an explosive start

Having an explosive start doesn’t always guarantee a win. Some fans noted that this was what happened to Yun Sung-bin. 

Yun Sung-bin lost to Jung Hae-min during The Punishment of Sisyphus. The mechanics? Brutal. Contestants have 30 seconds to push the rock uphill. Once at the top, it will roll back down and the process repeats until there’s only one player who can do it. 

Some who watched the series observed that if Sung-bin chose to pace himself rather than push the rock too hard at the beginning, he could have conserved his energy better.  

Thus, in a game that may take a long time, pace can be more important than intensity.

5. Being “well-rounded” may be the key to victory

Notice that the winner isn’t like many of his competitors. While a lot specialize in one “technique,” like bodybuilding, weightlifting, and martial arts, the Physical:100 victor is an “all rounder.” The winner not only has physical strength, but also endurance, mobility, stamina, and tenacity. 

featured image: screenshot from Physical: 100 Official Teaser on Youtube