Focus and mental preparation are two things that I have found that a lot of bodybuilders neglect prior to entering a gym for a workout. I'm not sure why but the majority of people approach their weight training differently than they would if preparing for practice or a game of a team sport. I know when I was playing hockey my routine was so exact prior to getting on the ice people would think I was either highly superstitious or obsessive compulsive. I would put my equipment on in a very specific manner including what pads went on first, how I would tape my stick, what I would say to myself before leaving the locker room, etc... Having these routines allowed me to get my mind in body both ready for the task at hand while also allowing me to forget about anything that was going on in my life outside of what needed to happen on the ice. I'm sure a lot if not most of you can relate to having a routine prior to an athletic event so my question is why do so many of us want to get the most out of a workout, set PR's, and be locked in but take little to no time getting both mentally and physically prepared for the battle that is about to take place in the gym?
If you want to take your physique and your training to the next level I suggest you consider getting a routine in place that allows you to be completely mentally locked in before ever touching a weight. Personally the drive to the gym is all I need. During this time I only think about the task at hand, what I am training, what movements I am hitting, and even how fortunate I am to be able to make a living doing what I love. I think about the physique I am ultimately trying to build and how this workout will get me one step closer to bringing that vision to life.
Some athletes need to be ALL BUSINESS when they walk into the gym but frankly that is not me. I have a good time and even make a joke here and there but prior to taking the bar off the rack I have a quick routine that I run through my head every time I'm about to get started. I remind myself to respect the weight and not be sloppy, I think of what I am trying to accomplish as far as reps/form, and I think and sometimes say "Keep me safe, make me strong." and then I get to business. This little routine is my way of getting 100% focused once again at what I need to do in that moment. When I am done with that routine there is nothing else that matters during that set than getting the job done. I am not thinking about anything outside of each rep of that set.
Adding this mental approach is something I credit to the fact that I rarely if ever have a bad workout. I prepare and plan for success not only before each workout but before each set. If you want to take your training and ultimately your physique to the next level I suggest you try to come up with a routine to get your mind right before every workout as well. Treat each workout as if it is your last, take it personally, and I guarantee the results will speak for themselves.
