Play Hard and Grow: Life to the ThirdPower

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — February 13th, 2004

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Play Hard and Grow: Life to the ThirdPower

The sweat was dipping and her legs were burning. Gia Ferguson knows she can't stop peddling, not now. No one in the class has stopped, so why should she. 

 

"Everyone was going off adrenaline," explained Ferguson, a psychology major from Miami. "I was in pain and they were in pain."

 

This wasn't preparation for the Tour de France, but those hills and sprints felt like the real thing. This is no ordinary spin class,better yet this is no ordinary gym. It's ThirdPower Fitness located on 18th Street in Adams Morgan.

 

ThirdPower opened on November 1, 2001, however, Steel's visions began even before his days at the Howard University School of Law.

 

Born in Freehold, New Jersey, Edward Rush, Chuma (Steel in Swahili), Steel has been a certified fitness professional for more than 12 years.

 

"It's a philosophy for me," explained Steel. "The world is nothing to me unless I work out."

 

His dedication and discipline comes from his time in the US Army where he was a powerlifter and boxer. 

 

Steel graduated from Long Island University and worked as a Tenant and Community organizer in New York, but confessed, that he needed to be in a position to make more money.

 

His decision to enroll in the Howard University's Law School wasn't purely monetary. In addition to better understanding the intricacies of this entrepreneurship game Steel "couldn't understand why black people didn't control their reality."

 

Graduating in May of 2001, Steel began taking control of his reality six months later when it was do or die: either get in the business of get a real job. 

 

The latter wasn't an option.

 

Nick Kamau, a third year law student from Denver, has been member since ThirdPower was Muscle Beach DC.

 

"Muscle Beach was an old gym with old weighs," Kamau said. "The atmosphere was sweaty and there were a bunch of meat heads."

 

Even before his purchase of Muscle Beach, Steel was aware of the conditions.

 

"The gym was extraordinary dreadful," Steel noted. "They were there before Washington Sports Club and Results, but there was no niche."

 

Kamau's concern was finding a new gym, but was surprised when he heard Steel buying Muscle Beach .

 

"It was a grimy gym and he completely changed it up," Kamau described. "He put down new flooring, a couch and knocked out the office and put a desk so you could see the owners. The atmosphere has changed. They painted over the white walls and put up art work."

 

That was three years ago.

 

The words "Play Hard" on the outside of the building are evident from the moment you step through the doors. Beautiful afrocentric pictures hang on vibrant golden walls. But it's the boxing ring and punching bags that are the center of attention.

 

"It's small and peaceful," Ferguson said. "The music is low and energetic, it's defiantly not Bally's." 

 

Ferguson explained that at ThirdPower people don't come in looking fit and there's no image you have to uphold. No one is trying to judge you. 

 

That's the appeal ThirdPower has for students like Ferguson and Kamau.

 

They both agree that if Cheers was a gym, it would be ThirdPower. 

 

"Everyone knows your name. It makes me feel like a part of a family," Ferguson said.

 

"Community is important," said Kamau. "You have relationships with people. There's a family atmoshere." 

 

The routine of working out disinterests most people, but if the environment is supportive and encouraging, people will want to work out.

 

"It's a cultural atmosphere," Steel described. "There a commitment to appeal to African cultures folks. There's enough variety between yoga, pilates and spinning that you can get to a place where you want to grow. You can lose yourself in the moment."

 

As if yoga, pilates and spinning wasn't enough, ThirdPower has intense martial arts classes ranging from Capoeira and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to boxing and HALoH. ThirdPower has martial arts for those looking for self-defense, self-discipline or a way to releasing aggression. There is something for everybody.

 

People have been trying to use their third-eye to tap into their subconscious, isn't time you try achieving that ThirdPower to tap into that inner strength.