3 Gym Rules You Must Follow
Originally published October 29, 2015.
As a strength and conditioning coach I am responsible for creating better athletes. As I have said before, (Read This) we are all athletes. So this post is for everyone that wants to be the best. It is time for a reality check. Becoming a stronger, faster and leaner athlete takes TIME. It does not happen overnight. Don’t buy into bullshit lines such as lose 30 pounds in 30 days. It is not possible…unless you have some illness or you are malnourished severely. If you cannot handle this truth, kindly stop reading and continue your lifelong search for faster results.
Now that we have weeded out those who do not wish to learn. Here are your 3 rules for becoming great in the gym.
1) Check Your Ego
Everyday at the gym I see people throw 225 on the bar and “bench press” the weight with a spotter. In actuality it becomes a row for the spotter as the lifter has no hopes of getting the weight up. Doing this and jumping up slapping your chest impresses no one. Especially those that are strong and most likely the people you are trying to impress.
2) Learn technique first
This is right in line with the first rule. If you can’t properly bench 225 (scapula retracted, little to no arch (unless you are a powerlifter), feet flat you must learn technique first. I know it’s a bummer you can’t impress all of the girls with your huge bench. It will pay off in the long run as you blow past PR’s and the girls will flock (they love a big bench, right?) Not to mention hugely reducing your risk of injury.
3) Practice
My final rule for the (fellow) bro’s worldwide. Practice. After your ego has been put away and you learn proper technique you have to put in the time. Start adding some weight and see what you can do. Lifting once a week isn’t going to cut it. You have to put in the 10,000 hours.
It is important to your performance and health you follow these rules. This is not just for the bro’s really. I have seen way to many people try to do too much. There is a line between pushing yourself and training stupid. I do get it though, I have been there sometimes you just gotta try something big. Just don’t make it a habit.
Bonus Rule)
After yesterdays training session I had to throw this in. Put on deodorant before you go to the gym… this is no joke, nothing kills a workout like some guy’s B.O. I had to go to the other side of the gym because Johnny Bro Tank didn’t wear deodorant or sleeves yesterday. I could rant for days about this guy, but that’s it!
Share this with anyone that you think needs this reality check. It’s for their own good! If you let your training partners break these rules you are breaking the rules too!
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