Learning to be intense - Bodybuilding Discussion on Bodybuilding.net Training Forum

WonderMonkey · 04-12-2005, 08:22 PM

As time goes on I have became more conditioned to push myself during workouts. Just when I think I'm working it "pretty good" I remind myself I am a pansy and need to ratchet it up a notch. For instance I was playing it timid on my bench with my Max-OT workout since I don't normally use a spotter. Well damn it this time I put on the weight I knew I SHOULD be using and went at it. It worked out well. This carried over to today's workout and I was more intense, more focused, etc.

I think it comes down to training myself to be intense again. I see so many people in the gym working out and they don't really seem to putting any effort into it. Not meaning yelling, screaming, etc. but just no ..... energy.

Do you feel at times you get to a level of intensity and then a few weeks later realize that you could go further? Wash, rinse repeat?

I know my workouts have several layers to go that I can climb. Each week it seems I can take it higher. Soon I am sure I won't have dramatic increases but for now it keeps me motivated.

WonderMonkey · 04-12-2005, 08:23 PM

And I was just thinking.... it's been years since I've actually been physically intense. I'm a dad and husband and though I am passionate about many things, not on the same level as actually getting in the gym and challenging myself day after day.

It's a welcome change.

hrdgain81 · 04-13-2005, 05:32 AM

I hear ya on the intesity issue. what usualy goes through my mind, especially when i'm in a lull for motivation is that I've never been in the shape I want to be. I've been close ... but close only counts in horseshoes, hand gernades, and fat chics.

I think i'm a little hard on myself, but it helps me stay focused, you gotta be your own worst critic, and never be satisified with where you are.

Smokey Bear 393 · 04-13-2005, 07:52 AM

I find myself from time to time going through the motions. I noticed that I was doing that during Monday's workout. I got pissed at myself, and turned it up to full throttle. I wound up haveing a great workout. The gym that I train at has all the muscle mags there. If I feel I'm not being intense enough, I thumb through those to get motivated.

Sleazy · 04-13-2005, 09:24 AM

I think this happens to everyone...you can always push yourself a little harder in anything you do. I find myself going through the motions sometimes also and when I get my intensity back its amazing to see how you can break through lifts.

Sometimes when I get home and just can't find the motivation to go workout I pop in Pumping Iron and crank it. See Louie's dad yell at him just gets me motivated for some reason. NO MOE DAD, NO MOE!

Killian · 04-13-2005, 09:50 AM

one of the main reasons i started working out was because of stress relief. Now if i am under motivated i usually just have a bit of a thinking time like has been said before and punch something like your fighting as hard as you can and walk away and go straight to do some lifting as you will most pumped up, really helps!

Killian

Dr X · 04-13-2005, 12:57 PM

The beauty of having a training partner is that they can push you even when you want to quit. There are times tho when I finish a set and say man I should of pushed one more. You really need to have a mind set and stay focused when you are lifting.

joeyboy777 · 04-13-2005, 01:33 PM

vary true X. I work out with my brother. We both call eachother names and make the other get back on track if we are wussing out or showing signs of wear. Sometimes both of us are hurting from 1 thing or another, and we are just doing workouts, not saying anything, just adding on weights.

Some recommendations on keeping the intensity...

set goals, challenge yourself.

write down your goals, and definately write down your workouts. How much were you using 6mos ago, 1 yr?

Myself. I have a mg cover that I want to look like. I see it, and get on the bench, and put up my set while I think of the muscles working.

There are patches of decreased motivation, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just pick yourself back up and get back on track.

Also, remember that rest is needed. After working out for a few weeks. Take a week off. Your body needs it. So dont beat yourself up for sitting around for a week, tell yourself your body needed the rest, and you will feel much better in the gym.

WonderMonkey · 04-13-2005, 05:24 PM

I write down my workouts, which really helps. I work out at different times of the day currently so a partner would be difficult. 6 am one day, 1 pm the next, etc.

GuardDog · 04-13-2005, 06:50 PM

Sometimes you gotta search really hard to find the lifting demon inside.

04-12-2005, 08:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
WonderMonkey Rank: Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 183	Learning to be intense As time goes on I have became more conditioned to push myself during workouts. Just when I think I'm working it "pretty good" I remind myself I am a pansy and need to ratchet it up a notch. For instance I was playing it timid on my bench with my Max-OT workout since I don't normally use a spotter. Well damn it this time I put on the weight I knew I SHOULD be using and went at it. It worked out well. This carried over to today's workout and I was more intense, more focused, etc. I think it comes down to training myself to be intense again. I see so many people in the gym working out and they don't really seem to putting any effort into it. Not meaning yelling, screaming, etc. but just no ..... energy. Do you feel at times you get to a level of intensity and then a few weeks later realize that you could go further? Wash, rinse repeat? I know my workouts have several layers to go that I can climb. Each week it seems I can take it higher. Soon I am sure I won't have dramatic increases but for now it keeps me motivated.

04-13-2005, 05:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
hrdgain81 Rank: Light Heavyweight Experience: 5-7 Years Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,320	I hear ya on the intesity issue. what usualy goes through my mind, especially when i'm in a lull for motivation is that I've never been in the shape I want to be. I've been close ... but close only counts in horseshoes, hand gernades, and fat chics. I think i'm a little hard on myself, but it helps me stay focused, you gotta be your own worst critic, and never be satisified with where you are.
	hrdgain81's Sig:"Your arms too short to box with god, I don't kill soloists, only kill squads" -Nas APT ProWristStraps www.TheLocalSpots.com Built for young professionals on a budget. AIM: TLSCEOMI

04-13-2005, 12:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dr X Rank: Lightweight Experience: 10+ Years Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: in the deep recesses of your mind Posts: 1,059 Country: Gender:	The beauty of having a training partner is that they can push you even when you want to quit. There are times tho when I finish a set and say man I should of pushed one more. You really need to have a mind set and stay focused when you are lifting.
	Dr X's Sig:The Fool say in his heart "There is no God"

04-13-2005, 06:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
GuardDog Rank: Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 369 Country:	Sometimes you gotta search really hard to find the lifting demon inside.
	GuardDog's Sig:Stats: 340y/o, 7'5", 2250lbs, 4% bf, meso-endomorph. Working out and taking supps since the dawn of time. Disclaimer: I am not real. I am a player on a virtual world rotating through cyberspace. Any information I give is based off of science fiction and not meant to be taken literally. I do not know anyone that uses, condones the use, or knows where to get anything against the laws of our governments.

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04-12-2005, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
WonderMonkey Rank: Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 183	And I was just thinking.... it's been years since I've actually been physically intense. I'm a dad and husband and though I am passionate about many things, not on the same level as actually getting in the gym and challenging myself day after day. It's a welcome change.

04-13-2005, 07:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Smokey Bear 393 Rank: Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 61	I find myself from time to time going through the motions. I noticed that I was doing that during Monday's workout. I got pissed at myself, and turned it up to full throttle. I wound up haveing a great workout. The gym that I train at has all the muscle mags there. If I feel I'm not being intense enough, I thumb through those to get motivated.

04-13-2005, 09:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sleazy Administrator Rank: Lightweight Experience: 3-5 Years Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,213 Country: Gender:	I think this happens to everyone...you can always push yourself a little harder in anything you do. I find myself going through the motions sometimes also and when I get my intensity back its amazing to see how you can break through lifts. Sometimes when I get home and just can't find the motivation to go workout I pop in Pumping Iron and crank it. See Louie's dad yell at him just gets me motivated for some reason. NO MOE DAD, NO MOE!

04-13-2005, 09:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Killian Rank: New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 49 Country:	one of the main reasons i started working out was because of stress relief. Now if i am under motivated i usually just have a bit of a thinking time like has been said before and punch something like your fighting as hard as you can and walk away and go straight to do some lifting as you will most pumped up, really helps! Killian

04-13-2005, 01:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
joeyboy777 Rank: Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 217	vary true X. I work out with my brother. We both call eachother names and make the other get back on track if we are wussing out or showing signs of wear. Sometimes both of us are hurting from 1 thing or another, and we are just doing workouts, not saying anything, just adding on weights. Some recommendations on keeping the intensity... set goals, challenge yourself. write down your goals, and definately write down your workouts. How much were you using 6mos ago, 1 yr? Myself. I have a mg cover that I want to look like. I see it, and get on the bench, and put up my set while I think of the muscles working. There are patches of decreased motivation, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just pick yourself back up and get back on track. Also, remember that rest is needed. After working out for a few weeks. Take a week off. Your body needs it. So dont beat yourself up for sitting around for a week, tell yourself your body needed the rest, and you will feel much better in the gym.

04-13-2005, 05:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
WonderMonkey Rank: Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 183	I write down my workouts, which really helps. I work out at different times of the day currently so a partner would be difficult. 6 am one day, 1 pm the next, etc.

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