Yeah, I’m on a rant roll this week. Enjoy.

I’ve started training a coworker. There will be a post about that soon. While at the gym of his choice, and at my own gym, and previous gyms I have belonged to or visited, I see a disturbing and frightening mistake that over 90% of the people in the gym make on a regular basis. If you are doing this mistake it won’t matter which exercises you do, how much protein you eat, your daily calorie intake, genetics, dietary supplements etc…

THE ZONE

“The Zone” is about being present in the moment and focusing maximum efforts on making the best of what you are doing at the time. It requires a certain state of mind and I bet you have experienced this at least once in your lives. Basically when you are in zone, every exercise you do “hits” perfect, you can lift more weight, you recover faster between sets and after the workout is done you feel pumped and awesome, fully invigorated and ready to conquer anything.

There are two types of people in the gym: those there to train and those physically there but mentally vacant.

Symptoms you are not mentally in your workout:

• Answering your cellphone
• Texting, calling people
• Checking social networks notifications
• Looking for people to talk to or join a group that’s already talking
• Resting for 10 minutes on machines
• Staring at you while you do heavy loads
• Thinking about what they will do in the club 3 days from now
• Asking questions about exercises, nutrition or something to engage you in conversation while you are working out (politely ask them to talk to you after your workout)
• Watching how to perform exercise on smartphone and YouTube (do this before you start working out)
• Curling in the squat rack… (and yes, it happens )
• Etc…

If you find yourself doing any of the above listed first let me say that I’m not judging you. Every individual is different and so is their approach to fitness and health but you must know that doing this WILL NOT lead to results.

So, how do you stay focused?

1. Clear your mind
2. Play music in earphones
3. Make gym rituals
4. Get a training partner with similar goals
5. Focus on the mind/muscle connection

Don’t imitate others. Don’t strive to do what they are doing. Learn what is right for you and your body. Get help where needed for a completely customized workout program that pushes you with every single exertion, constantly driving your limits forward. Never settle for less than your best.

At the end of it all, don’t be discouraged by the results you didn’t get from the workout you didn’t do effectively.

Be motivated. Do it right.