How do you train/workout?
 

There was probably at one time a discussion around weight training, nutrition, and supplements, however I was hoping to create a dialogue around something more interesting, in my opinion. This discussion can happen without any expertise of how to lift weight, what to eat, what supps to take, etc. I want to dig inside your mind and see what you sort of create for motivation.

Where do you go, mentally, when exercising? Where is your mind? What are your thoughts? Are you present or passive? What sort of factors play into this?

I’ll start; when I train specific bodyparts (parts of my body which I am not happy with) I log that mentally, I keep track of the fact that I am not happy with myself. I often avoid the mirrors in the gym and convince myself that I have not done everything I can to be my best.I always workout in a hooded sweatshirt and with pants or shorts. I convince myself that my training is lacking, that I could do one more squat, deadlift, overhead press etc. I really put myself in a dark place (and that is not me, outside of the gym). I need to ease my mind with the lactic acid burn and know that is the only way to improve myself. I create anger and disappointment with myself and I find this particularly motivating on difficult/heavy lifts. In creating this mental state I find myself very present, the ‘mind-muscle’ connection is easier to create. I don’t typically rely on stimulants before a workout, outside of a cup of coffee or green tea, as sometimes that over stimulation makes it difficult for me to target the muscles, rather than just slam weight around.

So, how do you lift? It may be a touch question to answer as I am starting to become more in touch with this aspect of resistance training.

My daily full body workout routine:

Bench press two 40 pound dumb bells until muscle failure. I would also do push ups throughout the day if I don't feel like benching.
Bent over row two 40 pound dumb bells until muscle failure.
Shoulder press two 25 pound dumb bells until muscle failure.
Curl two 25 pound dumb bells until muscle failure.
Tricep extend a 40 pound dumb bell until muscle failure.
Do unaided sit ups on the ground until muscle failure.
Dead lift two 50 pound dumb bells 10 or more times.
Full and deep squat two 50 pound dumb bells 10 or more times.
Calve raise two 50 pound dumb bells 20 times or more.

Sometimes I would do multiple rotations of this routine throughout the day. You can also switch up to different exercises to keep the muscles from getting used to the exercise. When muscles get used to a certain motion, it stops developing. You got to keep the muscle confused so that they don't develop a tolerance for a certain motion.

I would also ride my bike for one hour a day or every other day for cardio. I also do martial arts.

Whatever you do, don't take always believe what everybody says when it comes to working out. What works for someone might not work for you.

I pick up heavy stuff.
I put heavy stuff back down.
Repeat.

If I'm by myself, my mind is on my music and my form.
If I'm with a partner, my mind is on doing better than them and on my form.



edit to answer the supplements thing:
I don't believe in most of the snake oil that is supplements. I use whey protein after workouts and some Rocky speeches/Kobe Bryant or Jordan montages/other weight lifting YouTube videos as a pre-workout. I'd like to be able to have my kidneys still function by the time I'm 40.

My mind is usually focused on improving my strength, my form, and how I want my body to look. I would also not put my mind into a negative state. I always try to stay positive about my body and my goals for it. I believe you should always keep a positive mind set since having healthy mind leads to a healthy body.

I lift a beer to my mouth with one hand, and then i lift a burger to my mouth with the other.

That's a good little troll.

This was the only reply even remotely on topic....I don't care what you lift or what you eat, this was about HOW you lift. Why the beer jokes? Sad when people think weight training is a joke.


Thanks Vincent...the positive approach is popular, I tried it....I do better when I 'hate' myself.

His name is Cj

Just ignore the trolls. They are pointless to deal with. They are like annoying pests. Don't waste your time on them. If you want to interact with them, treat them like toys for entertainment.

To be honest, I'm not even phased by these guys. They are entertaining like a box of monkeys.

You have destruction thoughts my friend. You must train with "clear mind" otherwise you can hurt youreself or anyone near you, i know its difficult but youre not training youre muscle, also the brain. You will have more patience in the longway. I had used "big" shirts so when i see my reflection on the mirror i said to my self: im skinny, more weight more foods etc. At the end keeping bad mood will force you to use steroids. I was on the sameboat.

Yes, a clear mind is important, but conversely, you should also become highly aware of how your body works and responds to different different exercises to prevent injury. If it feels uncomfortable while lifting a weight, you are probably doing poor form and or lifting excessive amounts of weight.

If you have destructive thoughts, that is usually no good. Why beat yourself up? That will only discourage you in the long run and probably cause you to give up on your goals. Exercise should be fun.

I generally tune everyone out. Its just me and (Insert exercise). I focus on what I'm doing wether it be running, or isolated exercises.

This does not hold true 100% of the time.. I often find my wind wandering to "What I could be doing instead of being on this treadmil for 30 minutes."

Air quality in Fresno is really bad.

I'll go running in the morning during the winter, but in the summer its just too unhealthy. lol

For weight lifting, it is not about lifting the most weight you can to grow muscle, it is mainly about stimulating the muscle with enough weight so that it will grow and develop.

I have been lifting for a few years and my mentality has pretty much stayed the same.

I lift heavy weight..and by this I mean that I tend to work up to weight that I can only do 2-4 good reps on my last set. For this I've found I like to get into a very intense mindset, something to instill confidence or anger. I give the target muscle group a quick contraction to get the feeling in my head of what i'm looking for, a quick glance in the mirror for confidence, and get to work.

On my max weight sets or sets where i'm going for a PR, I sometimes think of someone who has stabbed me in the back in life. I use that motivation to push myself to be stronger and grow.

I don't chat. I put my phone silent. No distractions. Focus!!!:mad0260:

I workout 2x a week on average

Usually Monday I run 3-4 miles, and do some jumprope or sparring to work on cardio. Then friday usually vary different TRX exercises (link). I am less focused on gaining strength for the purpose of being stronger and more focused on being able to use strenght all over my body, for foot chases and combat.

My mentality is simple - Music and water in. World and pain out. Get it done, and do it better than before.

Are they considered reps if I'm lifting an 8 month old and a 4 year old over and over all day?

I spent 6+ years in the Army (3rd Ranger Bat, 82nd)


Now I get to be a fat civilian. Fuck training and working out























But really I workout 5 days a week, early mornings before work. Lots of weight, few reps, lots of rest in between. I'm bulking past the point of no return :(