This is often said when people talk about the struggle of going to the gym. I get it, not everyone is as gung-ho about working out as I am.
However, if your goals involve seriously transforming your body, improving your health, or getting the most bang for your buck, it takes more than just showing up and going through the motions.
For example: I recently started training at a local large gym, and the other day I did a 50 minute back and biceps workout. Meanwhile, two guys performed 5 sets of bench press…in that same 50 minutes.
Yes, props for showing up, any maybe their goals don’t involve results, but I can tell you they spent more time chatting, texting, and watching videos on their phones than working.
If you are running, then run at a pace that increases your heart rate, and makes it hard to carry a convo.
If you are lifting weights; then lift weights that challenge your muscles.
When it comes to lifting, are you truly FEELING the working muscle WORKING?
Feel rows in your back. Feel presses in your chest. Feel the burn in the triceps on press downs. Feel your glutes pump on lunges. I think you get it.
Exercising shouldn’t just be something that you “check off” at the end of the day. Too bad it doesn’t work that way.
I’m not saying that you need to be crawling out of the gym, or puking in a garbage can, but you should have felt like your muscles were working, and your heart was pumping.
So how do you get the most out of your time at the gym?
Go in with a plan. Set goals for the day, the week, the month and the year. Where do you want to be, and what will it take to get there?
I work with a lot of determined clients who set some pretty awesome goals. However, just recently a long time client of mine came up with – “Deadlift 400×3, Sled Push 800, and Bench Press 225×3…and you have to do them with me”
I’m all about that, even if I need to jump in a try the goals as well 🙂
What has happened since setting these goals?
This client has progressed faster than people half his age who just float through the gym. It’s been amazing, along with packing on some serious muscle (his triceps and calves could cut glass), losing body fat, he has also increased his power in his golf game…hmm go figure?
I’m not saying that you need to set crazy strength goals, but YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN, and be working towards it as much as responsibly possible.
Showing up isn’t half the battle, it’s one step in the process. Make it happen.
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Stay healthy my friends,