Albert K. Park

           After you decide you want to head to the gym there is a process of preparation. You grab your gym bag and start filling it up with your supplies. I have a friend who brings everything you would need to survive a nuclear attack from hand chalk to 2 or 3 pairs of shoes. Your checklist may look something like this.

- I pod: You definitely need some workout tunes, DMX, Tool, Metalica, Justin Bieber or whatever you like.

- Sweat towel: You don’t want to look too nasty.

- Workout clothes: Those shorts that make your butt look bomb or that cut off tee that shows off those pipes.

- Water Bottle: Have to stay hydrated right?

- Protein Shake: For muscle recovery and growth.

            All these items are tangible and necessary things that can ensure a quality workout. The question now is “Are you bringing the really important things?” These things are not tangible nor can you put them in your bag of goods. They are characteristics in you that can separate a hard training session from just another trip to the gym. Character traits that can push you to do 1 more rep, 1 more set, and train harder for 1 more minute. They are the very things you absolutely need to bring with you every single time.

            Gyms today are disguised and sugarcoated as an environment for socializing, showcasing fashion, and listening to music. It’s an atmosphere that has transformed from training hard to looking like your working out. Yes, it is easier to get distracted than stay focused and I too have fallen victim to the tantalizing seductive nature of woman working out in skin-tight spandex. It’s not easy to ignore. So here are some tips to help you stay focused.

            Self-discipline is your gasoline because it truly fuels your results. Like a stalker it follows you everywhere you go creeping, lurking. It doesn’t find you only at the gym but follows you home and every time you eat. It determines whether you even initially make it to the gym, if you decide to eat those carbs or vegetables, and whether you get up early before work to go run.

            How consistent you are with training and eating right will be a direct reflection of self-discipline. You have to work equally hard at becoming more self-disciplined as you do in the gym. Don’t let your hard work slip away instead stay consistent and watch yourself reach all new levels.

            Although I may not be a chemist I know that if training was an experiment, desire would be the catalyst in reaching your goals. The million dollar question is “How bad do you want it?”

             When training get’s hard and repetitive and you start to lose sight of the long term goals you need an extra boost. Something like a supplement. Well, desire can be that for you.

            Your half way through your metabolic circuit and you have 6 more minutes of the EDT workout. Pushups, Jump lunges, Med Ball Slams, Pull ups, and Sprints. It doesn’t seem possible for your glands to produce this much sweat but it’s evidence of how hard your working. The remaining time crushes your morale and everything in you wants to stop and go home to watch an episode of Sportscenter or Real Housewives of New York. If you didn’t bring persistence with you, that’s exactly what your going to do. You are going to quit.

            If you have it, your going to push through the end. Persistence is going to help you grind out the last 6 minutes, sweat even more, than feel great about yourself because you know nobody else at the gym is pushing themselves as hard as you. This is why you didn’t forget persistence.

            I used to consider myself a lone wolf in the gym. My mentality used to be that training with other people would slow me down. I have come to the realization that if you can find like minded people who share a passion to reach their fitness goals, a support group can be the best tool you have. They offer accountability in and out of the gym. Just having them around can push you harder.

In his book Lance Armstrong talked about the importance of a group. From training for the Tour de France or chemotherapy, everything was done in a group. They push you harder than you could push yourself and offer you support even when you refuse it but truly need it. Find a group. Find support. 

All these things can't fit into your gym bag but are vital to your training. If your wondering why you have been stuck in a plateau or haven't seen the results you've been wanting, see if any of these things are missing. Find them and refocus onto your goals. Good luck to you all.