Mind/Body Workout Connection

**gopro** · 05-07-2004, 01:39 PM

Mind Games

Although weight training is obviously a physical activity, the mind makes the true difference as to whether you will simply be going through the motions or lifting with a purpose. Your “mental” workout needs to get started before you ever even set foot in the gym so by the time you are ready for your physical workout you are optimally charged. Here are a few things you can do to set your mind properly for the upcoming assault on your body:

1.Prepare: Think about the workout ahead and exactly what you want to do. Make a plan. You probably are on a set schedule so that you know which bodypart(s) you will be training, but you need to decide exactly what you want out of the workout and what you need to do to accomplish it. Decide each and every exercise ahead of time, but also prepare an alternate plan in case the equipment you want is occupied or out of order. Also think about what type of rep range you will be using and if there are any personal records you are looking to surpass.

2.Visualize: Think about the entire workout that you have now prepared and go through it step by step in your “minds eye.” See yourself performing each exercise with complete focus and concentration, each rep with the utmost of intensity. Hear the gym, smell the gym, taste the gym in your head. Run the workout through your brain like a movie. Imagine how pumped you are going to get and the burn you are going to feel. If you are shooting for a personal record, see yourself successfully achieving it over and over, until its completely real for your brain! If you do this right, you should already be sweating.

3.Adjust the Attitude: Don’t even leave for the gym unless you are excited and psyched to be there. Tell yourself that THIS workout will be the best one you ever had. Think only positive thoughts. Get a little aggressive, even angry that you are not big enough, and channel that into the workout. At the same time, stay in control and center yourself. Prepare your mind to reach the utmost levels of concentration and focus toward the task at hand. You have a job to do, and it will not get done if your mind is on other things.

The mind is unbelievably powerful, and the body will tend to follow it. If you think negatively, your body will tend to weaken. If you think positively, your body will be energized. So, do a mental workout before the physical one, and the results you achieve in the gym will be optimized.

**CowPimp** · 05-07-2004, 02:04 PM

Well said Gopro. There is the occasional workout when I just go through the motions, but most of the time I really try and focus. The visualization helps the most for me. I like to psych myself up during my warmup sets. I get the feel for the motion and imprint that in my brain for the working sets. After a certain point, something clicks in me and I just want to throw those weights up like it's revenge for burning my house down.

Get angry and get big.

**Rissole** · 05-08-2004, 03:33 AM

Top post buddy

I am there on most of that stuff but to see it written out like that is top notch

Plus when doing P/RR/S workouts prepartation is ESSENTIAL !!

**gopro** · 05-08-2004, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by Rissole
Top post buddy

I am there on most of that stuff but to see it written out like that is top notch

Plus when doing P/RR/S workouts prepartation is ESSENTIAL !!

Glad to help. I want everyone to be the best they can be!

**JerseyDevil** · 05-08-2004, 06:38 PM

Great post Gopro.

**vas85** · 05-08-2004, 07:45 PM

Very well said!

I think that if you BELIEVE you can do something then you will go there with 110% the Brainpower to Achieve that, so yeh very important and well said post!

PS. i was reading even most bodybuilders do that mental preparation eg, Gunter Schlierkamp

**gopro** · 05-10-2004, 08:03 AM

I'm glad some of you guys are enjoying the post. Many people ignore this stuff and just shrug it off, but that is a big mistake!

**Big Smoothy** · 05-10-2004, 08:52 AM

Mentality is a heck of a factor....It makes a big, big, difference.

**Riverdragon** · 05-10-2004, 09:45 AM

You're exactly right. Why bother if you aren't mentally prepared. I start thinking about my workouts as soon as I get out of bed in the morning.

**gopro** · 05-10-2004, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by Riverdragon
You're exactly right. Why bother if you aren't mentally prepared. I start thinking about my workouts as soon as I get out of bed in the morning.

I dream about them the night before...and if its legs, its usually a nightmare!

**South-Africa** · 01-06-2005, 05:03 AM

Gopro......ngiyabonga............thats thank you in Zulu

**ChrisROCK** · 01-06-2005, 06:55 AM

It is a great post... That said, however, how many of you have actually gone to the gym unmotivated and "not feeling up to it"...and ended up having a KILLER workout? I rarely go there if unmotivated, but this has happened on occassion.

**gopro** · 01-06-2005, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by South-Africa

Gopro......ngiyabonga............thats thank you in Zulu

Wow, I learn something new everyday! You are welcome!

**Flex** · 01-06-2005, 08:03 AM

Great post, bro.

It reminded me of Pumping Iron II, where Platz talked about philosophy, and how BB is just as much mental as it is physical. Couldn't be more true.

I also remembered reading something Arnold said, and this i'll never forget..."you literally hafta will your muscles to grow". In other words, if your mind wants it, you WILL get muscle.

I love this game.

**sgtneo** · 01-06-2005, 09:01 AM

very help full post i find i get more agressive and more energy in a sense for the workout when i listen to my music on my ipod. i think rock music and just generally my faverote songs get me really in the mood between sets. Is this the same for other people?

Neo

**gopro** · 01-06-2005, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by sgtneo

very help full post i find i get more agressive and more energy in a sense for the workout when i listen to my music on my ipod. i think rock music and just generally my faverote songs get me really in the mood between sets. Is this the same for other people?

Neo

I need my MP3 blaring in my ear with some good rock or deep techno at all times, otherwise its just not the same!

**ChrisROCK** · 01-06-2005, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by gopro

I need my MP3 blaring in my ear with some good rock or deep techno at all times, otherwise its just not the same!

absolutely...

Linkin Park ROCKS!

**gopro** · 01-07-2005, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisROCK

absolutely...

Linkin Park ROCKS!

Yep, those guys are great to workout to!

**sgtneo** · 01-07-2005, 12:43 PM

yeah gunna upload their albums to my ipod i think

gunna stick my korn collection and dire straits collection on there as well

Neo

**gopro** · 01-07-2005, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by sgtneo

yeah gunna upload their albums to my ipod i think

gunna stick my korn collection and dire straits collection on there as well

Neo

Yep, I 've got them on there with my Alter Bridge, Creed, Staind, Crossfade, Chevelle, Godsmack, and Disturbed!

**sgtneo** · 01-07-2005, 03:08 PM

some good choices of music there expecially the disturbed and staind

Neo

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