Landing in the gym with your game head on!!

 

The first thing I do regardless of what time of the day I am training is have my pre-workout meal.  I am aware that you don’t need this but based on test runs I have had with my body, I perform better in a fed state.  The benefit of getting good quality nutrition in before training is that I personally feel that you psychologically make the link between training and good food choices.  The above meal is museli, milk and peanut butter.  I also had some coffee and a banana.  

While eating my meal and drinking my coffee I get some gym music on.  For me this tends to be 90s Euro Dance but others may have their own preference e.g. rock.  This seems to have the benefit of triggering my mind to start switching to gym mode.  I also obssess about my main exercise for the evening (or morning) and just visualise it.  If it is squatting all I think about is the technique, my best ever squats and keep saying over and over in my head depth depth depth!!!! When I get to the gym I can’t wait for that exercise.  As I said – visualise!!

Check you have the right equipment for the session you have planned.  Today I was squatting so I have my boxing boots for squatting (the reason for this choice is beyond this article) and my running shoes.  I had also packed cotton shorts for squatting as these are less likely to rip. 

Before going out the door make sure you double check you have everything you need.  Turning up with the wrong equipment will usually impact on your focus.  I know it upsets my mental clarity, I get flustered and my technique is not as polished when this happens. 

I put my gym bag in the boot of my car and close it with some force.  You will also notice that my car is packed with extra things too – in the brown bag I keep chalk, lifting belt and resistance bands – these are always here so that no matter what I do so I cannot forget them!

I make sure that the music that has been getting me motivated before leaving the house is continued in the car.  It is turned up full and I start to grit my teeth – it is business time. 

Game face on in the car – I would not recommend annoying me at this point!!

Take your coin from your bag for the locker if that is needed in your gym.  I think the coin should always be put back in your bag no matter what – not having a coin for the locker can really throw your head off!! 

With the amount of preparation you have had the only thing you need to do it get your kit on, put headphones in and go take your first exercise head on – you are ready for this as you are still visualising it. 

The result of this mental preparation was an awesome workout.

By Tommy