What is the Manor Combine and why did you create it?

The Combine is for our members and our wider community. We wanted to develop a standardised framework where our community can test themselves, identify areas of strength and weakness and build upon them each quarter. We build all-rounders, there’s no stone left unturned, if you highlight a weakness in your test, you have 3 months to go and improve it.

It’s inspired by the annual NFL combine testing, where every year the athletes are tested across different areas of their physical fitness and strength.

You’ll work together in pairs over 2 hours, 6 sections and 10 exercises. It’s a real comprehensive assessment of where you’re at, establishing your benchmarks under our standardised event format.

It’s an opportunity to measure personal growth and shows how effective a period of dedicated training can be.

What is tested?

It’s an accessible collection of tests that will evaluate your physical fitness across ALL areas. You’ll have 20 minutes at each station. Max strength is tested through establishing your 3RM for squat, bench press and deadlift together with a 1RM clean and overhead press. 

Explosive power is measured through a broad jump while anaerobic power is assessed through a 30 second sprint effort on the bike erg. 

A challenging 5-minute max distance effort of sled push determines your lower body muscular endurance, with max rep’s bodyweight pull ups for upper body. 

You finish off with a 2KM SKI ERG time trial to test your aerobic system under fatigue.

What can we expect at a COMBINE?

Good tunes and a good time! You can go as hard as you want as the only competition is yourself. Show up, put in a shift and have a beer with us after.

What have you learnt from the Combine this year amd what are your plans for the future?

The energy on the day is powerful! It’s been great to see so many members exceed what they thought they might be able to do and just how much the power of the collective and support of others brings out the best in everyone.

Next year we will introduce Combine seasons for different areas of fitness, to allow our members to devote their efforts even further.

We also plan to introduce body composition testing, giving a holistic evaluation of your health. 

What’s your personsal favourite part of the COMBINE?

I love a bit of lower body so tend to save myself for squats and the sled push!