2015 was a year that brought many changes to Pat’s Gym. It is a year which I will remember because of the challenges that were presented and which I overcame. Below is a list of the lessons learned. And, here’s to 2016…..bring on the challenges.
- Stop the excuses for not working out, or for not going all out in your workout. Time is precious. My schedule is busy, our trainers are busy, so unless you dedicated to continuous self-improvement don’t bother. Now we won’t expect you to break any records the first day, but we do expect that day-over-day you will see improvement. We take workouts seriously, and firmly believe that everything you do is a reflection of who you are. We don’t coach half-assed athletes.
- Life is Too Short To Compromise. Whenever you are doing something, play all out. Don’t go in half-hearted. Why waste your time if you’re not going to excel. Once you’ve exposed yourself to something, do everything in your power to excel at it. The lessons you will learn will be more meaningful and will make you a better person.
- Every athlete we coach is unique. Because athletes are unique, there is not a one-size fits all formula for getting in shape or excelling in a given sport. Our coaches have experience and knowledge. What works for one person, may not work for another. So, we work with you to determine what you need to excel in your sport or life, and we change it up so that you will continually grow physically and mentally. If you workout alone, try a routine for a while. If it works and you’ve accomplished your goals then move on. If it doesn’t work, then move on and cross that routine off your list.
- Remember to focus on the detail. Most neophyte athletes will want to excel in major movements. They will also focus on weight versus technique or something such as full range of motion. If you focus on the details, the major movements take care of themselves. If you are into gaining size or getting stronger, still focus on the details. It is how you will fully work a muscle.
- Practice Makes Perfect. If you want to excel at something, you have focus on it continuously. Now don’t destroy it by not engaging in proper recovery, but keep doing different exercises to achieve your goal.
- Focus on yourself and not on others. Focus on what you want to be, find role models and follow through, but define success for yourself. Don’t look at others and imagine you want to be just like them. Focus on what your goals are, why you have set your goals, and then dedicate your effort to achieving them. Set out to run a marathon/tri-athelon, or just to have those big biceps by summer. Then ensure you follow through. You don’t want to disappoint yourself. Make sure you play all out when your pursuing your goal.
- Coaches versus trainers. Because all athletes are unique, there are a multitude of ways to help an athlete achieve their goals. A coach must have a lot of experience to draw upon in coaching a person to be elite. Instructing an athlete won’t help them achieve their true potential. A person has got to want to excel, find it within them to focus and draw it out with the assistance of a coach, and have the dedication to suffer for success. Always, look for a coach unless you just want a person to just walk you through the motions. A coach is a motivator.
- Focus on full range of motion and form. Don’t go all out for weight or repetitions. Do less weight or reps, and don’t sacrifice full range of motion or form. First, it will allow you to exercise the entire muscle and not just a part of it. Also, it will avoid any injuries that can result from jerky motions. You’ll find that your muscles will be more fatigued and will respond to full range of motion and perfect form. These two techniques help to efficiently and effectively use the muscle.
- Don’t Judge Others, But Surround Yourself with Good People. I’ve always said “you are who you hang with.” So hangout with people who you are good for you. Make sure they challenge you, add variety to your life, and bring out the best in you. Stay away from negative influences that can entice you to lose perspective and sight of your goals. Don’t spend time judging others. Just know what is good for you and go for it. But, also be humble and glad you are who you are.
- It’s All A Matter Of Perspective. Whenever you’re in a situation and you think you can’t handle it, remember to take one step at time and you’ll get there. Working out, I hear many folks say “I can’t do it any more.” My response is always the same “focus on what you’re doing, take away the idea of pain, recover when you can, and let your muscles go numb.” This is my way of saying lose the perspective “you can’t take any more,” and look at it from the point of view that “I can do this movement and this movement, and soon it will be over.” It’s all a matter of perspective.
