Whats your secret?

[Waittz]

We all know there are no secrets to a great physique/performance, but everyone has their own little "tips" they can offer, so lets try to make a colbarotive lidt of simple, small little tips you can offer. I'll start:

Count backwards. Coutning down my reps seems to help alot for me. Hearing such a small number like 2 helps me finish sets. "Ok, that's it, just two left"

On sets so heavy the weight intimidates you, close your eyes when you lift. It helsp me keep my form better and not worrying about the weight, rather the lift.

When you start cardio make sure your shoes are tied properly.

When checking your weight, choose one day and one time, like mondays at 10 a.m. and judge from week to week. If you weigh yourself each day use it as a gage for how you should be eating(and drinking) throughout the week.

On the bench press, row/pull the weight to your chest, dont just lower it.

ok thats it for me, please continue to add more of your little tips, no matter how "little" they are.

[fitzy21]

set goals, no matter how small, write them down and strive to meet that goal or those goals.

have a workout buddy if possible - keeps ya accountable to show up and work hard

when you reach a point when working out before you have finished and you don't think you can move on, tell yourself you'll get a reward for pushing through. keep upping the reward if you have to

[Mahler]

Steve,
I use the countdown trick, too.

My tips?
Know your entire routine before you lift the first weight.
Work your core and keep it strong and the other lifts will take care of themselves.
In a single word? Consistency.

[mmMatt]

Torrets-like outbursts work for me.

For example: the other day I was failing on a rep I knew I shouldn't be... so out of my mouth bursts "*ssf*ckingsh*t" and poof... the bar was moving in the right direction :P

Although I did get a few odd looks from some people :P Ah well.

[Waittz]

" Know your entire routine before you lift the first weight."

malher, you know how many people i know who just show up and make it up as they go along? Seriously ask the average lifter why they are doingthe exercise they do and why are they doing taht many reps and just wait for their response.

[gobbla]

"stick with it"

[Irishdazza]

I take a second, close my eyes and "see" the weight go up easily before the first rep.

[karky]

Something like what Irishdazza said. If im going heavy, like for a new PR or something, i walk around psyching myself up. Telling myself its no problem. Its really powerful, spechally if you start doubting yourself.

[I. Kay]

I know lots of people say that you should lift for yourself, that's it's for your OWN goals and all that, etc.

But one thing that motivates me is imagining everybody I know watching me... it's ingrained now, I don't even have to try now... my brothers, my friends, you guys, sometimes somebody like Eric who has given me advice... and it holds me doing the right thing. I've either given the advice (like to my brothers and friends) or received it (you guys) and if you're all watching... well, I can't cheat!

[rookie]

1.Listen.

I have learned so much about fitness and helath simply shutting up and listening.


2. Keep it simple.

I progressed so mush when I stopped testing my BF everyday and worrying over every calorie. And in the gym; big, simple lifts - the basics.

[Frank.S]

-When going for a PR. getting 'phsyced up' doesnt do anything for me. I just take a deep breath, think about doing it, then do it.

-Dont sweat the little things. If you workout, and keep at it for long enough good things will come. This one is hard to me, I want everything now, no waiting.

[Lost Dog]

If your routine is filled with exercises you love and are great at, then your routine isn't so good. Better get some stuff in there that you hate to do. Suck it up.

[diamondpete]

Try and increase something EVERY workout.

As mahler says, know your routine: I would like to expend on that and say I do a mental "walkthru" of what I am going to do.

See the weight going up, when you are "pysching up"

POST here regularly and KNOW that when you are slacking off you are letting yourself down and disappointing your friends here at JPs. Know that "we" are here to help, support, motivate and encourage, and Mahler will give you a kick in the butt when you need it. THIS has REALLY been a big help to me on those cold, late tired nights. I am "man enough" to live with dissapointing myself (LOL) but I would hate to come here if I have not been keeping up my end on the training!

Read MMMM!

Peter

(BTW, good thread!!)

[Alcoholiday]

i would say the biggest thing is to keep all the exercises in your workout as core exercises. keep a main movement as a squat, bench, or deadlift, and then throw in some rows/pullups, upper back work, or hams and abs. People make the mistake of doing way too much, and too many variations of stuff. People are worried about stalling out and changing the exercises so much, but in reality, they can keep most of the same exercises, and change the rep perimeters and alot of other factors before they burn out.

[Waittz]

Another one I'd like to add.

KNOW that your are not an Advanced lifter. I don't care how much you bench, how buff you are, how long you have been lifting for. You are not advanced, you most likely are not even an intermediate lifter. Stick to the basics.

KNOW that you are not and Advanced trainer. The other day a kid behind us at the gym was doing what I could only describe as "jumping deadlift rows". He took a barbell from a hang clean position, threw is body back, attempted to row it to his belt while arching his back as hard as he could, jump up and shrug his shoulders. It looked like he was getting a hummer from a blow up doll. When a kid asked him if he knew how you are supposed to deadlift he says and I must quote, "Yeah, but i made this up to hit my back, I dont want to work my legs, I wanna work my back. Deadlifts work your legs, this works your back". Yes, thats right, you Joe Schmuckface are so smart in your training that you can create new exercises that are so great and effective, and not at all dangerous, at will.

[JimmyC]

steroids.

[BFG]

when going for the last rep always try and push that last one for 30 seconds even if their is hardly any movement the bar should eventualy move some. You probably wont last the full 30 seconds and will know you are beat but I bet ya next session it goes alot further or you have to up the weight

[RacerBill]

It seems obvious to me and probably everyone around here, but keep records -- paper, online, spreadsheet, SOMETHING concrete that you can go back to look at later.

I can't imagine going to the gym without a pencil and my log. My memory's not so keen that I remember every weight and rep from the previous workout, so I need to keep track of my progress. But I'm one of the only people there who writes it down. I suspect many of the other folks there rack up the same amount of weight that they've been lifting for months: "this is how much I bench."

And as an added bonus, you can pull out logs from a year or so back and see how far you've come.

[FishrCutB8]

I like to scream "EXPLODE!" as loud as I can...