Introduction
American Psycho is a novel published by writer Brett Easton Ellis in 1991.
Simon & Schuster was the original publisher, but backed out before release due to the controversy surrounding the book. Although the book came first, most know of American Psycho the movie, starring Christian Bale, released in the year 2000. Both are excellent.
One of the most iconic sequences in American Psycho is Patrick Bateman’s morning routine which demonstrates his deep connection to aesthetics and his shallow connection to humanity, displayed via the peeling of a face-mask which shows his thinly concealed insanity.
During his morning routine, Bateman wears an ice mask to control the puffiness under his eyes while he does crunches, of which he can do over 1,000 now. The American Psycho core challenge is attempted as part of a morning routine, just like Bateman’s. The core challenge may be better on select days as opposed to every day depending on abdominal soreness. So the challenge could be attempted on Saturday and Tuesday morning, for example; every day is fine if it works for you.
The American Psycho Core challenge
Wear a Face Ice mask and do as many crunches as possible until the mask is no longer cold. Record your number and try to beat it every time you do the challenge. Patrick Bateman can do over 1,000 crunches at a time; can you beat him? If you can do 1,000 crunches before the facial ice mask is warm, you win.
You can also set a timer to have a more rigid guideline, 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes will do. Do as many reps as you can while wearing the ice mask while training. This may also provide an opportunity to meditate the mind & spirit while training the body, hitting all components of a morning primer.
Crunches are a start. Once you are comfortable with this challenge, consider doing other ab exercises, or other bodyweight exercises like pushups with the American psycho challenge framework. As you can observe in the scene, Bateman stretches while doing other core exercises. You can use an ab wheel while wearing an cooling ice mask even.
We are taking care of our skin and our abs at the same time.
Benefits of Facial Ice Masks:
- Prevents Puffy eyes (Bateman)
- Reduces dark circles
- Increases skin brightness
- Reduces acne
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces wrinkles
- Eases/reduces sunburns
- Decreases redness
- Energizes you with cold for the day (facial cold shower)
American Psycho Core Challenge Equipment & Tools
Ice Masks
Many masks are not called ice masks, but are called “cooling eye masks”. They are inexpensive. Some ice masks have a cotton side and a gel side. Some masks have eye holes, others do not. We recommend using a mask without eye holes so the cold can touch more of your face. You don’t need the eyes to train the body, but this is personal preference. The gel side is much colder, so cold that it can burn those who are not cold-adapted. Use whatever side you can tolerate and consider improving your cold resistance with Wim Hof Training.
Training Mats
- S-Tier – Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat
- A-Tier – Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
- B-Tier – MANDUKA EKO Lite Yoga Mat
- C-Tier – Amazon Basics 1/2 Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
- D-Tier – Ground
Use a Yoga mat to conduct your American Psycho core challenge. Consider leaving the yoga mat out as a visual incentive for core training, as well as yoga and other training. Bateman did not use a yoga mat; we are making an upgrade to the protocol.
American Psycho Core Workout Challenge Philosophy
Patrick Bateman’s morning routine encourages and promotes aesthetics. We know that aesthetics are something to maximize as a disciplined path of mastery, understanding that all individuals can and should seek to maximize their aesthetics to strengthen their perceived self-worth, form a committed relationship with the self(discipline), and give a gift of beauty to society meant to inspire, not to threaten.
Aesthetics is a discipline because aesthetics of all kinds must be earned.
Discipline is how we form trust with ourselves, so the pursuit of aesthetics is good for the spirit. It doesn’t matter if you’re disabled, disfigured, old, ugly, or any other condition that can be perceived as an excuse.
Discipline, and taste, are earned–just like aesthetics.
All individuals should consider it a personal responsibility to maximize their aesthetic for themselves and others. Understand that someone with a beautiful exterior can have a weak mind or an ugly spirit. Mastery in body, mind, and spirit must be pursued with equal vigor.
Consider additions to your aesthetic routines like eye cream, moisturizer, sheet masks, and other considerations.
Would you kindly consider:
