For firefighter Doug Hardtke, it was the latter. Hardtke recalled having several printed editions on hand to refer to when he needed information or inspiration.
“I read them 24/7. I took them to school, and that was my thing.”
Chi-Town childhood
Hardtke grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and was surrounded by family. He said he was one of 30 cousins, and that they all lived in the area then and now. He is now a father of two and lives just nine blocks from where he grew up.
“That’s just part of who we are,” he said. Chicago is one of America’s most established sports cities, and that includes football. Hardtke lived to play that game and even asked for shoulder pads or a helmet for Christmas. During a football camp, he had the opportunity to bench press with some freshmen and sophomores. This was when he was bitten by the iron bug.
“It was an instant thing and it has been an addiction ever since.”
He got his first gym experience at a local Powerhouse Gym. The staff made sure he got stretch plates and cleaned up the weight room a few times a week, and in return he was allowed to train there. As he grew older and became more connected to the local fitness community, his passion for training grew.
Career in the fire brigade
Ultimately, Hardtke decided it was time to move on from football. He traded the pads and helmet for a firefighter uniform. Every time he saw them in a parade or heard rescue stories, he was inspired.
“The firefighting bug hit after that, and I was lucky enough to be hired part-time when I was 18, and they sent me on to the fire academy and paramedic school.”
Four years after Hardtke started as a firefighter, he transferred to another department in the area, where he had been for the next seventeen years. Just like his football days and his teammates back then, the firefighting family he stood next to could be one of the best reasons to have a career in local service. If your role is to be a literal hero, having people you can trust makes a big difference.
“People call 911 when they’re having the worst day of their lives, and you’re the one who’s supposed to be there for them. Whether it’s joking, getting something off your chest, or just asking the person next to you how they’re doing, doing that and exercising is just like our therapy time.”
It turned out that Hardtke wasn’t as far away from football as he thought. The Chicago area had a firefighter football team and he played for nine years. As much fun as he was, the injuries also piled up. Nevertheless, playing the sport he loved, alongside other local first responders he cared about, was an experience he cherishes.
“I enjoyed every minute of it, but it did take its toll.”
An unconventional entry into Strongman
After calling it a career in football for the second time, Hardtke found a new challenge for himself. He couldn’t remember how he first heard about the World’s Strongest Firefighter competition, but he knew he wanted to participate.
“It took me back to the early days as a firefighter with the big meatheads who took me under their wing,” Hardtke fondly remembers. He was clearly comfortable with training, but the sport involved lifting unusual implements such as logs and sandbags.
Hardtke got his hands on a log and found other equipment he could use and started training. He also contacted Frank Boniello, another firefighter who was training for the event, and offered Hardtke advice and guidance as he prepared for the competition. Boniello actually won the title in Columbus, OH, but Hardtke still enjoyed the experience.
“I can honestly tell you that I have never been this cold since I was eighteen.”
A new generation of power
Hardtke is still serving his community and still training to improve in his career and health. He will not compete in the 2026 World’s Strongest Firefighter, but he expects to be there to provide support.
He is also committed to passing on the passion for iron to the next generation. The father of two is already working out with his 12-year-old son, DJ. He sees as much potential for his son, if not more, than for himself.
“When I see him do it, it definitely motivates me.”
While DJ is doing well to follow in dad’s footsteps, Hardtke says his four-year-old daughter Addyline may be the most competitive. She is as dedicated to gymnastics as her brother is to soccer and weights. It’s clear that Hardtke and his wife Audrey want to teach their children the importance of fitness and being the best they can be, and that means some of the lessons young Doug learned in those old M&F issues will be applied for years to come.
Doug Hardtke fire training
One of the biggest keys to success with M&F’s classic print editions was the workouts readers could get from the athletes to try for themselves, and we put Hardtke to the test. Whether you’re preparing to become a firefighter, training for a strongman competition, or just want to do something different with your training, Hardtke shares a favorite workout that will help him stay ready when the alarm goes off.
Warm-up, 3 tri sets with minimal rest
- Reverse hyper – 20 repetitions
- Lying hamstring curls – 20 repetitions
- Belt squat – 20 reps
“We are warming up all the key movers we will use during our training.”
- Deadlift with trap bar – 5 sets of 5.5, 5, 3, 1, ranging from 50-95% of your maximum
- Bonus Widowmaker Set – 50% of maximum until failure.
“I take as much rest as necessary to feel recovered and perform my next set.”
- Sandbag Hold Squat and Carry – 4 total sets of 3 reps (squat) and 50 feet carry.
“If I drop the bag while carrying, I pick it up, perform 3 more squats and complete the distance.”
Triset – 3 rounds with minimal rest.
- Pushing sled – 50 feet
- Pulling a sled – 50 feet
- Farm wagon – 100 feet
Bonus tip: “Strong core, learn to support your core. In the fire service, core strength and strengthening are essential for a long, healthy career, whether it’s grabbing a fire pit, or lifting a patient or stretcher during an EMS run.”
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