Pre-workout rituals?

[Dawgpound_Hank]

I see so many guys who go to the gym and it's like they just came from finishing some other business up, not even into it, talking on the phone when they walk in the door and continue talking for 20 mins, then go get dressed to workout. They then will come out to the weight area, and find someone to "socialize" with, yapping away for 10-30 mins before getting in to their so-called "work-out".

I could NEVER do that! When I am getting ready to go to the gym, I gotta have some "me time" for about 60 mins in advance to prepare my mind. Nothing else can interfere - no worries, later appts, wife stuff, son stuff, it's time to go into my own world. I usually go on the laptop with my Monster or Bang, find some kick ass vids on YT like Blood n Guts, one of Colemans vids, or one of the many iron pumping motivational vids out there. I usually watch a vid(s) pertaining to the bdpt I am hitting that day. After about 40 mins of that and drinking 75% of my energy drink, I head to gym and finish the drink in the car while listening to some Metallica, Disturbed, AC/DC, etc. On the drive I go thru the workout in my mind of exactly what #'s I want to smash. When I arrive, I feel like a T-rex on crack and ready to fukk some iron up!

Next...........

[Big B]

It's like that all day at most gyms, brother. Ridiculous. My girl got me straight by focusing on my workouts and not b*tch about other people in the gym. Let them waste their time and look the same, if not worse, the next day. Then they will go up to you and say "man, you look great! What's the secret???". Look at everybody, bro. See why obesity is out of control. We become lazier by the day. Old days, people walked miles and miles to do their physical labor work. Today? You know...


Soon, if not already, serious weightlifters will be abnormal according to the standards of our society...

[Dawgpound_Hank]

It's like that all day at most gyms, brother. Ridiculous. My girl got me straight by focusing on my workouts and not b*tch about other people in the gym. Let them waste their time and look the same, if not worse, the next day. Then they will go up to you and say "man, you look great! What's the secret???". Look at everybody, bro. See why obesity is out of control. We become lazier by the day. Old days, people walked miles and miles to do their physical labor work. Today? You know...


Soon, if not already, serious weightlifters will be abnormal according to the standards of our society...

I didn't mean to come across as "bitching" haha - only to convey how I have always put utmost importance & making my time in the gym a priority. Guess I was using the example of others to magnify it. I would think others who are as serious as I am would do similar regarding mental prep, hence why I am asking all. How about you B - what's your pre-w.o gig, if any?

[Dakota]

Great Post DP!

I really need to start my prep earlier and use some of the techniques you describe. Sometimes it takes me several sets before I am "into it". Why waste time at the gym not giving it your best? I have dragged myself to the gym on many occasions when I didn't feel like it. Once you feel the pump it is fine but that first dragging ass is a waste.

Excellent reminder on how our minds are our strongest muscle.

As far as phones go, I have just about had my fill. I went off today. I was benching and I guess I had a little too much bran this morning and I need to go again. I get down to the locker room and all three stalls are filled. Now the bran is really kicking in. It is at least 10 minutes now and no one has come out of a stall. I look at the shadow on the floor and I see this guy is on his phone, then I see a lighted phone display from the phone in the door crack of the 2nd stall. I can't see the third stall but at that moment it didn't matter. I lost it. I had a Tren flashback and friggin barked at full voice. "GET OFF YOUR PHUCKING PHONES AND SHIT!!! I HAVE TO GO!!! It worked , there was an immediate couple of flushes and the first guy out looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock. I didn't say word because I had to go but I am sure my looks were "ready to kill".

I am done being polite in the gym too. F these guys taking up space. I am going start saying something and I am going to bitch to management that it has gotten out of hand. I looked around when I got back and there must have been AT LEAST 1/4 of the people there on their phones mid "workout"

Sorry to vent DPH, you original point is excellent. I am implementing some of your suggestions starting immediately. I like the youtube vid idea. Nothing like seeing somebody a lot better than one's self to motivate you to the next level. When my friend came in the gym after taking 5th at the NPC it motivated me like I hadn't been in a long time but that only lasts so long. You need that extra boost to make EVERY session a good one that isn't going through the motions.

[Dawgpound_Hank]

Great Post DP!

I really need to start my prep earlier and use some of the techniques you describe. Sometimes it takes me several sets before I am "into it". Why waste time at the gym not giving it your best? I have dragged myself to the gym on many occasions when I didn't feel like it. Once you feel the pump it is fine but that first dragging ass is a waste.

Excellent reminder on how our minds are our strongest muscle.

As far as phones go, I have just about had my fill. I went off today. I was benching and I guess I had a little too much bran this morning and I need to go again. I get down to the locker room and all three stalls are filled. Now the bran is really kicking in. It is at least 10 minutes now and no one has come out of a stall. I look at the shadow on the floor and I see this guy is on his phone, then I see a lighted phone display from the phone in the door crack of the 2nd stall. I can't see the third stall but at that moment it didn't matter. I lost it. I had a Tren flashback and friggin barked at full voice. "GET OFF YOUR PHUCKING PHONES AND SHIT!!! I HAVE TO GO!!! It worked , there was an immediate couple of flushes and the first guy out looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock. I didn't say word because I had to go but I am sure my looks were "ready to kill".

I am done being polite in the gym too. F these guys taking up space. I am going start saying something and I am going to bitch to management that it has gotten out of hand. I looked around when I got back and there must have been AT LEAST 1/4 of the people there on their phones mid "workout"

Sorry to vent DPH, you original point is excellent. I am implementing some of your suggestions starting immediately. I like the youtube vid idea. Nothing like seeing somebody a lot better than one's self to motivate you to the next level. When my friend came in the gym after taking 5th at the NPC it motivated me like I hadn't been in a long time but that only lasts so long. You need that extra boost to make EVERY session a good one that isn't going through the motions.

Thanks D. I've been doing this for decades. You GOTTA get the mind right before stepping in that gym door for the most effective workout. You stick to this and you will be pleased with the results.

[MR. BMJ]

At around 4:30pm, I pop a caffeine tab.

At 4:45-4:50pm, I change in to my gym clothes.

5pm, I clock out from work and walk to my car....in the parking lot.

I turn on the car, and blast Slipknot as I drive to the gym.

I walk in, and as I walk to the free weight section, I put on my head phones and blast some metal.

I lift.

[tank100]

There is 'socializers' in probably every gym to some degree. As soon as I get to the gym I put in my earbuds so I can ignore anyone that try's to talk to me. I usually don't do much talking at all until im done with my workout.

[Aklion]

i don't really have rituals before I get to the gym, but i do have quite a few once I'm there. I always change at the gym. I never put on gym clothes at home. I always wear a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up while I train because people are much less likely to stop and talk to a large black man who looks like the grim reaper. I always warm up on a stationary recumbent bike for 10 minutes, and while i ride I use a resistance band to do "activation" movements that really help warm up my shoulders and back. I never eat before I go to the gym and I'm always at least two hours fasted when I train. I do hanging therapy for ten minutes after I train, even when I didn't do any upper body movements and it has helped alleviate any shoulder impingement issues I used to have. I'm addicted to training at this point in my life, so I don't really need a pre workout ritual or anything to get me in the right mindset. I stay in that mindset and typically go to sleep at night thinking about training the next day