The Skinny Trio

Chapter 1 - The gym

Bob, Tom, and Rob had always been the trio that excelled at anything with a ball—basketball, football, soccer—they were the kings of every pickup game in their neighborhood. But there was one area where they were absolutely the underdogs: the gym.
The idea of bulking up, of putting on some serious muscle mass, had been circulating in their heads for months. They had seen the jacked guys at the local gym, lifting massive weights, and had heard whispers of the mythical “gainz.” But none of them knew the first thing about proper training, diet, or anything beyond throwing a football and shooting hoops.
After weeks of joking around about it, they finally decided to commit. One Monday afternoon, they walked into the gym together, determined to change their physiques.

Bob:
* Height: 6’0”
* Weight: 145 lbs
* BMI: 19.7 (Underweight)
Bob was the tallest of the group, but even his lanky frame felt like it was barely holding itself together. He had long limbs and a narrow chest, making him feel almost fragile when standing next to the more muscular guys at school. Despite his athletic abilities, he had always struggled to put on weight. He’d tried protein shakes here and there, but his body seemed to burn through calories faster than he could consume them.
He dreamt of having a broad chest, thick arms, and a solid frame like the bodybuilders he saw on Instagram. But right now, Bob had a body more suited for running marathons than bench pressing.

Tom:
* Height: 5’11”
* Weight: 155 lbs
* BMI: 21.6 (Normal weight, but on the lower end)
Tom was the most balanced out of the trio. He wasn't as tall as Bob, but his limbs were proportionate. He could throw a football with perfect spirals, and his speed on the track was almost legendary. However, when it came to the gym, Tom was clueless. Sure, he had a decent athletic build from running track and doing some bodyweight exercises here and there, but he never looked like those guys who could pick up a 100-pound dumbbell like it was nothing.
In the gym, he felt like he was on foreign soil, but that didn't stop him. Tom’s goal was simple: put on muscle, get bigger, and not be the guy who got tossed around like a ragdoll in contact sports.

Rob:
* Height: 5’10”
* Weight: 140 lbs
* BMI: 20.1 (Normal weight, but still quite slim)
Rob was always the smallest, but also the most vocal. He was the one who first brought up the idea of hitting the gym, having seen his cousin bulk up from skinny to solid. Rob’s arms were practically sticks, and his legs weren’t any better. He was fast, sure, but he wanted to be strong too. He didn’t want to just be the guy who could run fast; he wanted to be the guy who could pick up anything and everything, who people looked at with respect in the gym.
Every time he flexed in the mirror, he could hardly see any definition. He wanted abs, biceps, and a chest that wouldn’t look like a washboard. He was determined to make that happen.