What do you do before you start your workout?
No, we’re not talking about foam rollin’, your intricate dynamic warm up, jumping jacks, blah, blah, blah.
BEFORE THAT. (The stuff that really matters)
In those few minutes before you step foot into the gym…
Where is your head at?
What thoughts are going through that space between your ears?
How do you feel?
Are you nervous, excited, or dreading what comes next?
Why do you do what you do?
Maybe, you’re at a loss for words.
Maybe, you don’t have a clue. You don’t have a ritual or at least one that you’re aware of.
So let’s help you out.
We want your pre-workout ritual to…
BE LIKE STARBUCKS.
No, we’re not talking you into becoming a hipster or move your office into a coffee shop.
Hear us out for one second.
If you’re in the middle of the country, you probably look for a Starbucks. Hell, you could even replace Starbucks with Chipotle.
Because burritos.
Why?
Because you know the product. You know that you are going to get exactly what you order no matter if you’re in NYC, LA, or Bumblefuck, USA.
Starbucks has created a culture. You enter each Starbucks the same way. You order the same way. You expect the same product.
It’s a repeatable process. You know what you want and a majority of the time, you get just that.
We want you to create a CULTURE before you even step a foot into your place of body beat down.
That starts with your mental process.
Think of Pavlov Dogs. When that bell rings, the dogs expects to be fed.
By all means, we are not expecting you to start salivating at the thought or sound of your workout. But if that gets you better results, we’re all for it.
For me personally, I have a ritual. It goes something like this.
Snapback. Check
Headphones. Check.
Hoodie. Check.
A little motivation from YouTube, a quote that becomes my mantra for that training session, or just some jams turned UP. CHECK.
No matter where we are in the country, whether that gym has a great or sub-par atmosphere, we bring the attitude and the energy.
That ritual is sacred. It is repeatable. It’s like Starbucks.
By having the same routine in place, our minds are able to go to that place that breeds success. Our bodies are ready for the battle ahead.
When that hat is turned backwards and those headphones start to blasting some bass-pumping music, it is ON.
I review my plan of attack. Most of the time from another coach. (Yes, we hire our own coaches.)
In my mind there is nothing worse than not knowing what I’m going to be doing. I want to know every detail. Then I like to visual every single exercise and it’s execution.
Yes, I am all for making adjustments on the fly. I have no problem substituting an exercise, cutting back on volume, or lowering the intensity depending on how my body is feeling that day. That is not an excuse. Instead, it comes with the territory of years of training experience.
I’m old school. I like my plan printed out. Just do what’s best for you. Pull it up on your iPad or in your Fitocracy app.
There are no rules.
In the industry, a lot of coaches are beginning to discuss triggers and the negative behaviors they can create as a result. Just like on a gun, when you pull the trigger, it causes a reaction.
Most coaches focus on identifying and then eliminating those triggers. On the flip side, here we are discussing positive ramifications from a trigger.
Instead of always thinking you have to eliminate triggers, you can also purposely create them.
It could be as simple as putting your clothes out or in your bag the night before to make sure you get that workout in.
Maybe it’s putting a glass of water next to your bed to drink once you rise so that you are drinking enough water.
In this case, it’s your pre-workout routine.
Your training program might change.
Your supplement regimen could be different depending on your goals.
But your pre-workout ritual remains constant.
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