I just got back from a great cardio workout at the gym. I got a message from my wife where she said she had a crappy workout. But really a workout is a workout.
Let’s say that you go to the gym today and you have a bad workout. You drag your butt through the whole thing, you don’t push yourself, you only give a half an effort and then you leave the gym, basement, or walk in the door wondering why you did it, dejected that you sucked.
Good Workout? Bad Workout?
Well the problem tomorrow is that if you think back at that workout is that you feel behind already, you are dejected and you are not sure how you will bounce back and have a great workout or even if it is all worth it.
I say that the best method of working out is to realize that some workouts are better or worse than average and the best workout is the one that you actually do.
If you have a bad workout that is ok today and maybe tomorrow it will work out better. The important thing is not missing workouts and to workout consistently.
Consistency is Always Key
This one strategy alone would keep you working out consistently today and next month and next year as you always go into the gym with great expectations and still leave feeling great about having attended.
To succeed in having a workout that works consistently well is as easy as having a strategy.
What you need to do in the morning or evening before a workout is setout your goals for that next workout. Are you going to be doing cardio or weights? Is this going to be an easier maintenance workout or a hardcore body improvement workout? Having this idea of why and what you are going to be doing in the gym is critical.
Next you need to make sure that you are physically ready for the workout. Have you eaten well in the 24 hours before and especially 2 hours before your workout? Have you been resting, sleeping, and recovering well since you last workout?
And finally, make sure that you get the nutrients that you need after your workout. It is important to eat well and to stretch right after your workout to make sure that you are going to be feeling good in time for the next one.
Often times it’s just a mental thing. Some bad workouts can be avoided. Getting mentally prepared and motivated can really help you have a better workout.
Sometimes switching up the routine, or even getting new workout gear can really help improve a workout as well.
Also, I have been listening to a lot of Anthony Robbins recently. He was talking about having a bad workout. And he learned how to avoid situations like this. He spoke about creating expectations before you do something, in this case “workout”.
Ask yourself, how do you feel about this workout. If its a 7 out of 10, ask yourself what will it take to get it to a 9 out of 10. What will make it a 10 out of 10.
It could be things like having the right music to pump you up. Having a schedule to bust through a plateau. Maybe if you and your training partner really had a super exhausting workout. Or you felt super energized before you trained so you drink some black coffee before.
Whatever it is that makes a workout at 10 out of 10 for you, create that expectation before hitting the gym. This is help avoid bad workouts.
I agree – ANY workout is good, especially this time of year. It’s good to just show up!