The sun has barely risen, but the weights are already clanking. Marco, the trainer, is showing you some stretching exercises, who is joining the workout for the first time today. Charles, coffee in hand, leans against the wall, a little comatose, and can barely hold back his laughter.

Charles: — “Are you sure about this? This is not a pilates class in Milan, there is blood and tears flowing here.”

You (confidently): — “Don’t worry, prince. Just don’t cry, I can handle it better.”

Marco: — “Okay, then we’ll start with a 5 km warm-up run. And Charles, since you’re so fresh this morning, 8 km for you.”

Charles (coughing): — “What? But I’ve already trained… in my sleep.”

[30 minutes later – on treadmills]

You are running at a steady pace, your face flushed, but not in pain. Charles is panting next to him and asks him for the fourth time how much time he has left.

Charles (gasping): — “Honestly... he's a robot. This isn't normal.”

You (laughing): — “I'm just motivated. And rested. Unlike you.”

Charles: — “Marco! Let's change my workout partner to a turtle. At least he wouldn't embarrass me!”

[Later - weight training]

You starts doing the exercises properly. Charles tries to relax, but in the meantime he watches with one eye that you can not only handle it, but sometimes does it better than him. This is starting to get awkward.

Charles (in a low voice to Marco): — “Listen... can't you give her lighter weights?”

You (interrupting): — “Marco, you know what? Charles is really going crazy today. Give him something extra. Something... manly.”

Marco (smiling broadly): — “So be it.”

[Afternoon – “Special workout for Charles”]

Charles is doing TRX, medicine ball, jumping squats, leg presses and an extra circuit. After each set, he wheezes deeper and deeper like a race car with an exhaust leak.

Charles (in a dying voice): — “This… this is no longer a workout. This is an exorcism.”

Marco: — “Just three more rounds. And then 10 minutes of sustained plank. You, get the stopwatch!”

You: — “With pleasure.”

[Evening – Lying on the floor in front of the locker room]

Charles is lying motionless on the floor, a towel over his head. His legs are shaking, his face expressionless.

Charles: — “I… will be a vegetarian from now on… and I will never move again.”

You (squats down next to him, smiling): — “So... who did it better?”

Charles: — “You win. I’ll ask for a wheelchair for tomorrow.”

Marco (from the background): — “Tomorrow’s program: regeneration and cycling. Unless someone wants an extra day…”

Charles: — “I report: I’m officially broken.”