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The Question: Whenever you step into the gym there are 2 different types of people: the ones who drag themselves out of bed or from work and workout with a tired and annoyed look just because they have to. Then there are the ones who come into the gym pumped up and ready for an exciting and awesome workout. What makes these two types of people so different? What can you do to make working out enjoyable instead of a boring chore? How can you get yourself pumped up for a workout? Are there any different exercises or routines that can make working out more fun? Can supplements help play a role for creating an enjoyable workout? Bonus Question: Are you the type of person who works out because it's a chore, or do you enjoy it? What makes it that way for you? Show off your knowledge to the world! The Winners:
2. ShannonC_77 View Profile 3. bubba g View Profile 3. ho_124 (Tie) View Profile
2nd place - 50 in store credit. 3rd place - 25 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Will @ will@bodybuilding.com for more info.
Health and fitness has become a major growth industry in the developing world, with more and more gym chains, clothing manufacturers, magazine publishers and health food shops looking to take advantage of increasing public awareness of health issues. This increasing awareness, combined with the increasing public taboo being placed upon being overweight and out of shape and general pressures from the media to have the 'perfect body' have culminated in this mounting 'gym culture'. Then again, modern gyms have existed for decades whilst the idea behind them has been in existent for centuries; the ancient Greeks had gymnazein (literally 'place to be naked') where they could exercise, bathe and socialize in search of what we regard today as a classically proportioned body.
So how has this manifested itself in the present day? At the simplest level; people that work out because they feel they 'have to' and people that work out because they enjoy it. But what is it that makes these two types of people so different? I don't think there is a single definitive answer to that simply because, just like everything else in life, different people have different motivations and goals. However, I will try to examine some underlying trends. When you enjoy something, whatever your motivation is, you commit yourself to it fully, and the gym is no different. Those that give their all in the gym each and every time and leave knowing they've had the best workout they could possibly have - those are the people that are driven, focused and ultimately enjoy workout out. At the other end of the spectrum there are those people that give a half-assed performance every time. They are easy to spot as they will usually be placed firmly on their glutes tying up a piece of equipment with menial exercises or stomping away on the treadmill at almost walking pace whilst watching MTV (or, dare I say, reading a magazine on an exercise bike!). Fundamentally, what differentiates people is their reasoning and logic for being in a gym in the first place. I feel this is an important area to explore when looking at why some people enjoy their gym experience whilst others don't.
Why Should I Enjoy My Workout?
Good question! Why do you have to enjoy yourself in the gym? Surely you can have a good workout without really enjoying it? Well, yeah you can - but why would you want to? Like I said earlier, enjoying a workout means you put more into it - more effort, more commitment and ultimately you get closer to your goals faster and more efficiently. Do you ever do something you hate any more than you have to? I doubt it. Do you ever find it hard to do something you enjoy? No. Looking at why some enjoy working out whilst others find it a chore is elemental in understanding how someone can improve their own workouts in order to enjoy it more and consequently make the most of their time in the gym. There are countless motivating factors which make a workout more enjoyable, or not. Some of the most common factors are;
The secondary effect of endorphins is to induce a feeling of euphoria - the 'feel good factor'. The harder you push, the greater the feeling of euphoria and the better you feel afterwards. You're not a 'meat head' for wanting to achieve more and push harder, it's just that the harder you work out the better you feel afterwards. This in turn goes some way to explain why those that are put in minimal effort in the gym enjoy it less. Their body simply isn't being tested enough to warrant endorphin release and that feeling of joyful satisfaction that follows an awesome workout. This is just one reason why being in the building isn't good enough.
Genetic dispositions add to this, with certain ethnic groups far more likely to develop conditions such as diabetes than others. So what better motivation is there than knowing you will live a longer, healthier and potentially happier life by simply devoting yourself for a few hours a week to and eating cleanly. However, I believe this is the underlying problem with a lot of those people that don't enjoy the gym but go anyway; the people that work out because they think it's the right thing to do. Ultimately you should work out because you want to, not because you feel you should. External pressures are great for getting people to join a gym but awful for getting people to commit to a serious workout. Once you have made it through the doors there are several tactics you can employ to ensure a more enjoyable, fulfilling and productive workout, as I will discuss later.
Whether it is the challenge of putting on some lean muscle, just getting to squeeze out an extra rep from last week or just feeling better about yourself and your body, this challenge cannot be underestimated in making a workout more enjoyable. In fact, challenging yourself in the gym is vital to most experienced athlete's motivation and can be powerful part of your arsenal in making the most of your workout.
Transforming your body through a solid exercise regimen not only has added bonuses of better health, greater stamina and an overall felling of wellbeing but also increases self esteem, confidence and attractiveness.
  Click To Enlarge. Isn't Looking Good Reason Enough? Even if your only real goal for working out is to look better topless you will still be more motivated to go into the gym and give your all each and every time in order to build those massive arms or run that little bit further whilst at the same time you notch up numerous other benefits. If you just want to look better for appearances sake you will no doubt enjoy being pumped after a good session and watching that needle on the scales move closer and closer to your goals week in and week out.
Whether you're looking for power, speed, strength, size or endurance a gym routine carefully designed to compliment your sport can be invaluable in giving you the edge over the competition. In this scenario the workout is secondary to sporting achievement - you workout in order to achieve success at a given pursuit. However, for many, the workout can be just as fulfilling. Teams often train together and the competition mentality as described earlier kicks in - you push yourself harder and workout better (within reason of course).
 Athletes.com Is A Great Source Of Info On Sports Fitness.
I've found it's usually the large swanky establishments which attract the social crowd and the tying up of equipment by gentle paced busy bodies can be very irritating to some. More hardcore athletes take the 'workout or get out' stance. Personally I feel that given the massive escalation of obesity in the Western world and the consequently humungous medical costs to treat overweight-related illnesses, anything that gets people out of their homes and doing something is fine by me. The point? Even if you enjoy working out simply to talk with people you are doing so much more for your body those happy with a more sedentary lifestyle. Again, the key to achieving your goals is the enjoyment factor.
I loved knowing that while I was working hard at the gym virtually the entire student population was tucked up in bed sleeping off a hangover. Not only did I have almost free reign over the equipment but I could shower, have a post-workout shake and meal and get ready for another day of academia whilst everyone else was hitting the snooze button on their alarm clocks. Like I said - a shallow reason - but it damn sure got me out of bed in the morning and ready to lift! Human beings are complex organisms and most people are motivated by a combination of factors, only some of which I've covered here. Although this section has not dealt with all of the reasons why people enjoy their workout it does give an insight into what some may be lacking if they do not enjoy their time spent in the gym.
What Can You Do To Make Working Out Enjoyable
Instead Of A Boring Chore? How Can You Get Yourself Pumped Up For A Workout? Hopefully by now you'll understand why, when it comes to your workout, I believe the enjoyment factor is so important, and what you can gain from enjoying your time in the gym. Now to elaborate on these basics in order to give you some practical ideas on how you can enjoy your workout that little bit more.
Whether you want to lose some weight, develop your deltoids more or cut your 1 mile time by 5 seconds, without a goal there is no challenge and no sense of achievement when you break through your personal barriers. After all, we all love to blow a challenge to pieces, and there is nothing sweeter than overcoming your own personal challenge. These goals must be realistic, however. If you are an experienced athlete you should know what is achievable, if not ask others - a trainer at the gym, look in the mirror and figure out what you feel needs changing, or even ask the Bodybuilding.com forum members. Once you've decided always, always STICK TO IT. Constantly changing goals when you haven't reached the last one is like constantly moving the goalposts in a soccer match - it's pointless, unproductive and you will never be happy because you will never be able to hit your target.
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Neglecting one or more will result in unsatisfactory progress, an inability to reach solid goals and ultimately someone that cannot reach their goals isn't the happiest trainee. The Bodybuilding.com main site is full of articles on how to successfully develop a solid diet, workout and allow sufficient recovery time in order to help reach your goals. Reaching your goals and quickly as possible will do wonders for your motivation and help you see exactly why you're putting in all that hard work. Search Bodybuilding.com for a huge array of awesome articles on how to develop your perfect nutrition/recovery/workout plan.
Firstly they will help you with motivation in actually getting to the gym as you will not want to leave your partner sitting around waiting for you while you decide if you can be bothered today. Second, having a reliable partner allows you to perform certain exercises you may be reluctant to perform on your own, such as a bench press or seated military press.
Having someone who is stronger / faster / bigger / leaner than you (dependant on your goals) gives you something to both aspire to and provides a little extra motivation in the gym for you to reach their level. Conversely, if you're the more experienced athlete you will be working out harder to try and stay one step ahead!
I find an underrated tactic is to workout with your partner or significant other. This has several benefits; it will provide you with motivation to look good for your partner, it will provide you with a shared interest and will help promote an overall healthier lifestyle since both of you will become
It doesn't even have to be music you would normally listen to. A surprising number of people I know squeeze out those reps to 'Eye of the Tiger'! As long as it motivates you it works. On the other hand, what motivates me in the gym is the sound of people grunting and weights crashing (sounds odd I know!). The sound of the gym itself is a fantastic motivation for me and helps me focus on my situation and the task at hand.
Finding a routine which allows you to place your workouts around other commitments allows you to then plan meals and recovery time appropriately, once again helping you achieve your goals with greater efficiently. On the other hand, trying to squeeze in a workout here and there whenever you can means that you are less mentally and physically prepared for the challenge ahead, resulting in a less enjoyable and ultimately less productive stint in the gym.
Pin up their photograph on your mirror along with their stats and have a long look at it before you leave for the gym.
Now you know what to aim for, what your focus is so now whenever you feel your motivation waning in the gym just think back to your role model and feel your motivation skyrocket.
This both gives you something to aim for (remember the love of The Challenge!) and provides a way of motivating yourself to loose those extra pounds, do that extra rep or run that little faster.
In understanding your body you realize the importance of those little niggling injuries that may prove to be significant, you understand the importance of a carefully thought out diet and good form in the gym. Even though I am formally educated in a completely different field I find the human body in relation to exercise extremely interesting. Understanding exactly what's going on in my body when I work out makes me enjoy my time in the gym that little bit more enjoyable. Again, Bodybuilding.com is a great resource for learning about your body and how you can approach health and fitness in a considered and educated way.
Look at your diet and see if there's anything you can change and perhaps your workout could use some rejuvenating. This should help stop your body from adapting and set it on the right track to reach your goals.
Why is it important to expect plateaus?
If you reach a plateau without realizing it (this can and probably will happen), then you will eventually be less likely to enjoy your workout from week to week and the path to achieving your goals will be far longer. Being aware of plateaus helps you identify them quickly and solve the problem without weeks and potentially months of frustrated training.
To Learn About Plateau Busting Click Here.
Often a week long break after 8-10 weeks is a good way of giving both your body and mind a break. Athletes often find their strength increased on their return to the gym, and the time off does wonders for your motivation. The same goes for your diet. Every once in a while a 'cheat meal' or even 'cheat day' can help keep those cravings at bay, and you can even use them as a reward for a hard week/ fortnight/ month of solid dieting.
There is bound to be a story to inspire you to put that little bit more effort in, and your body will thank you for it.
The basic reasoning behind this is the release of 'feel good' endorphins during a good workout, but the escape factor, the change of environment and being able to focus your stress to drive your workout make the gym an awesome place to relieve stress and make a good workout something you should enjoy.
It's natural to feel good when someone pays you a compliment and it feels fantastic when that compliment is about your most valuable asset - your body! So if you want to get those compliments without having to fish for them go workout and make sure it's an awesome workout every time! However, there's probably only one better feeling for a serious athlete - feeling just as good as you look! For those that have transformed themselves from a less-than-healthy way of life the ability to do the simplest of things, such as run for a bus without losing your breath, not grumble about having to take the stairs when the lifts are broken or being the one asked to open the ketchup, is massive motivation. The healthier you become, the better you feel; simple!
In a topic such as this I think it is very important to address issues pertaining to why some may not be enjoying their workouts. It may be that you are missing a lot of the motivational factors described above, in which case I hope I have helped you at least recognize what may be missing and put you on the way to solving the problem. Some, however, do not enjoy the gym for a variety of more serious workout related reasons:
Symptoms Include:
One or two of these symptoms may be normal from time to time, however more may point to a workout/diet/recovery program which may need serious overhauling.
Muscle Dysmorphia
Some bodybuilders use this to their advantage, striving to push themselves to develop better bodies. Some, however, take potentially dangerous routes in pursuit of this goal. This can include taking steroids and using exercises recognized to be dangerous. Ultimately muscle dysmorphia can both be useful or dangerous, depending on how the sufferer reacts to their distorted image of their body. It is rare, however can explain why some more experienced athletes begin to enjoy their gym experience less and less and adopt potentially dangerous training techniques. Related Articles:
Eating disorders, like muscle dysmorphia, arise from a psychological distortion of one's body image. There are four main eating disorders which I will address here; Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
Reverse Anorexia Nervosa
Are there any different exercises or routines that can make working out more fun?
I'm sorry but there is no one super fun exercise or workout that will get you grinning like a Cheshire cat every time you step into the gym! If there were I'm sure a lot more people would look after their bodies instead of eating burgers and watching TV all day long.
For example; for me it would be the bench press on chest day and military presses on shoulder day. When you know you have an exercise you enjoy in your routine it helps motivate you for the rest of your session and therefore helps keep your focus throughout. However, don't try and fill an entire session just with exercises you like - you won't be challenging yourself fully, your routine will probably end up causing you to plateau before very long and you simply won't be doing justice to your body. Mix up the favorites with the not-so-favorites in a carefully planned and challenging routine for the best possible workout.
Unfortunately it's easy to get frustrated in these situations and let it put a downer on the whole session. To avoid this happening make sure you have some alternatives available that you can substitute. By being prepared and having a full arsenal of exercises at your disposal you can easily have a full and successful stint in the gym and being educated (see earlier) on your body and exercises helps you pick the right choice in such a situation.
Can supplements help play a role for creating an enjoyable workout?
Fundamentally, I believe that supplements DO play a role in creating an enjoyable workout in both the short and long terms; however this is a very tricky issue. Basic supplements such as whey protein and multivitamins can help improve your gains and recovery; both important factors in helping you achieve your goals. After all, you're far more motivated to get back into the gym when you don't ache so much after the last session or you see you body changing for the better. These are basic supplements which are key to the success of many athletes and can be used safely for indefinite periods - in essence their effects do not wear off. As such these can be important tools in helping you reach your goals and so play a large part in the motivational equation. However there are other supplements available at the Cyberstore which are specifically designed to give you an energy boost in order to keep you focused, alert and pumped for a great workout. However, many of these stimulants wear off with sustained use and so if relied upon can become ineffective.
To View Energy Enhancing Supplements Click Here. In essence, if you feel you need a stimulant before most workouts you should look to address other aspects of your daily routine, diet, rest and workout in order to find a real long term solution.
Are you the type of person who works out because it's a chore, or do you enjoy it? What makes it that way for you?
I love working out! I love having the power and knowledge to be able to sculpt your body, the sense of achievement when I hit a new goal, learning about the science behind my body and how exercise relates to it, the compliments I get from others about the way I look and being the one asked to open the ketchup! I am lucky enough to have motivation coming at me from all angles and as such I have never not loved being in the gym. Thank you for reading.
What is the secret for achieving quick and lasting results? Is it a special workout or diet that will allow you to reach all of your fitness goals? Nope. The secret is making it fun. People who actually enjoy their workouts are more likely to stick with them over the long haul, therefore making their success rate skyrocket. They are much more likely to give 100% every time they are in the gym since they are enjoying themselves and are more likely to reap all the other indirect rewards you can get from a good workout, such as decreased stress and a positive social experience (depending on the mode of exercise you chose). So what distinguishes those who enjoy their workouts from those who don't?
The biggest determining factor that affects whether you are the guy who is constantly forcing himself just to get to the front doors of the gym and the guy who never seems to get enough is the type of motivation you have. The type varieties are intrinsic and extrinsic.
These types of people are much more likely to quit their workouts once they have reached their goals or just stop altogether if they are not seeing results fast enough. Since they are being motivated from an external factor, their reasons for being there are likely not that important to them and more often than not they would much rather be spending their free time elsewhere, thus they feel it is a struggle to make it on a regular basis.
These reasons however are slightly more variable and one can usually overcome any barriers they may provide just by carefully choosing what type of workout you perform. Personalities
If they believe that they have to be perfect and achieve success in everything they do, they will likely stop enjoying their workouts very quickly unless they are doing better than everyone else or are reaching new levels with every workout. Those who have a little more laid back personality are likely to enjoy their workouts more because they will likely allow themselves more leeway. If they are feeling particularly tired one day, they will simply do a lower intensity workout and give their body a break, and won't feel guilty about it at all. The type A on the other hand would feel bad for doing this and will push themselves at their normal high intensity, which would only leave them feeling more tired and exhausted and make the whole experience rather miserable. To remedy this issue, type A people may want stick to forms of exercise where you cannot judge your progress that easily (the goal of the exercise is not to achieve a certain level) or you cannot judge yourself against others, such as a class like yoga. This will give them a break from their everyday life where they are constantly challenging themselves to be better and may offer them a very pleasurable experience. General Health
The important thing with this scenario is finding an exercise for them to do that doesn't require too much energy off the bat and is something they will enjoy. This will get them looking forward to going to the gym and make them happier to be there.
On the other hand, people with physical disabilities might find it very frustrating to see how much they are limited when they are working out. Therefore, these individuals need to consult their doctor and find out what types of exercises they are capable of doing and which are going to be the best ones for both enjoyment and therapeutic purposes. This will help them to see a point to their being in the gym (to help them overcome their disability) and enjoy the process quite a bit more.
So now that we've determined what distinguishes those who show up to the gym ready to go and those who look like they've been threatened into going or something, how do you go about making your workout fun? There are a variety of options here.
You're going to hate every minute of it and probably will get off before your time is up, therefore not really helping you progress towards your goals.
By finding something that is enjoyable for you, you will actually begin to look forward to it as it will be a sort of release for you and you will more than likely find working out much more fun. On the other end of the spectrum, if lifting free weights is not your thing but you really want to increase your strength, look into alternative methods here, such as some of the yoga's that have more of a strength focus or an aqua size class. You would be surprised how much resistance being in the water can create.
You will likely snap at every person who tries to talk to you and could actually risk injuring yourself if you're not completely paying attention to what you are doing. Similarly, if your gym is a half an hour drive out of your way or is in a place that you don't feel comfortable in (either because of the member population or the focus of the atmosphere) you will likely find yourself dreading going as well.
 Click To Enlarge. A Workout Partner Can Help Make Exercise More Enjoyable. People who are not using exercise as a time to get away and be by themselves often benefit very much from finding a workout buddy. This person will help them stay committed to going as they will be counting on them to be there and even if the person isn't particularly looking forward to their workout, they will likely look forward to seeing that person and will still have an enjoyable experience none the less.
For example, after you reach one of your smaller goals, treat yourself to a massage or a weekend away at a cabin in the mountains. Or make a small bet with your workout buddy that whoever shows up to the gym the most will pay for supper at the end of the month.
Although this is placing the motivation a little more on the extrinsic side, it shouldn't be too harmful as it is associated with some other intrinsic motivation (having a relaxing dinner with a friend) and since it is only based on smaller sub-goals you should still have your main goal, which hopefully is intrinsically determined, that you are working towards.
So now that you've figured out how to make your workout fun, how can you pump yourself up for it? Different people will have different strategies.
I know many runners who swear by their music and say they could never keep going if it wasn't for their trusty mp3 players. The same principle applies to the weight lifters. These people often seem to prefer the heavier type of music as it almost increases their 'anger' in a sense which translates to them lifting heavier in an effort to release this anger. Like I said above though, everyone will have personal preferences here and for some classical music may be the key to a great workout. Experimenting and finding what gets you ready to go is what's important.
For example, if you are an athlete and are working out to improve your game, watching your favorite athlete perform might give you that extra little motivation and really help you see what you are working towards here. It will give you that drive to give a little extra in everything you do in hopes of one day reaching this status. Likewise, if you are weight lifter and are hoping to achieve a particular physique, having pictures of what you hope to accomplish in your room or locker at the gym may help to serve as a motivator to remind you of why you are doing this and help you look forward to going once again. As I said above though, while focusing on working out to change your looks is a great motivator, it's important to also concentrate on how it will help you on a higher level, such as bring down your resting heart rate and reducing your chances of diabetes and high blood pressure (for cardio training) and make you stronger and less resistant to diseases such as osteoporosis (on the resistance training side of things). Realizing these long term 'hidden' benefits will go along way as well to helping you to stay pumped about riding the bike for that last 10 minutes or pushing through your final exercise.
Ensuring that you are efficiently nourished beforehand will make sure your energy levels are at their peak and will make you much more excited with the thought of being there.
For Printable Goal Setting Check List Click Here. Your Workout
How Does Your Particular Workout Affect How Enjoyable Exercising Is?
While no specific workout can really be considered more fun than another as everyone has a personal preference when it comes to what they find enjoyable, changing up your program on a regular basis will go a long way to reducing staleness and burnout. When you are doing the same thing over and over again, not only will you become bored in record time, you will likely plateau and will stop seeing results as well. So varying your intensity, number of sets, reps, and exercises will all help towards making your workout fun again and keeping you excited about the gym.
Maybe you've always admired rock climbers but have been too scared of doing it for fear of looking funny or lack of knowledge. Look into an introductory class that specializes in teaching beginners the basics. You would be surprised at how doing a completely new activity will challenge you like never before. You may become aware of muscles that you never even knew you had. Even for those who have always been dedicated to the aerobics machines and lifting weights, trying out a yoga class could really open your eyes to a new kind of training. Trying to hold some of those positions will target muscles that you aren't used to working and will definitely prove to challenge your balance.
Most definitely!!
They will give you that extra boost when you just don't feel like going to the gym and would look more like that guy who is dragging himself there that we discussed in the first part of this article.
For those with joint issues, taking Glucosamine and MSM will help lubricate the joints and will allow you to workout with less pain. Again, working out in pain is never fun, so using supplements to remove this issue for you will totally change your attitude about working out.
Are You The Kind of Person Who Works Out Because It's a Chore, or Do You Enjoy it? What Makes It That Way For You?
I have to admit, I don't always look forward to going to the gym. I'm a regular morning exerciser and when I'm lying in the bed, the thought of running 3 miles or trying to work up enough strength to lift as heavy of weights as possible is rather daunting. However, I know that I have never regretted working out and after it's finished I will always feel better than if I had skipped it. Just knowing how I feel after I'm done is usually enough to get me out of bed and into the gym on those days when I'm particularly not in the mood. Most of the time though, I look forward to challenging myself to see what new levels I can reach with my fitness. I constantly remind myself how lucky I am to physically be able to workout and just imagine how miserable I would be if I couldn't. That in itself almost always makes me look forward to going.
  Click To Enlarge. I Look Forward To Challenging Myself. You never know what happens in life, people get injured or sick everyday, and cannot workout for months at a time, and sometimes are permanently forced out of the gym. I recently suffered a stress fracture and could not run for a good month (which is something I love to do). It was during this time that I really realized how important this is to me and how hard it would be to live without it. I'll never forget the feeling I had when I was able to run again after the injury and was pain free. I was reminded all over again why I run in the first place. So to answer this question, what makes working out enjoyable for me is the knowledge that I can. Not everyone can push their bodies the way many of us do and won't ever experience the feeling of a really great workout. I don't ever want to take this experience, I can provide myself, for granted. So if you're currently dreading your next session in the gym, look at where your motivation is. If you are not doing it for yourself for some internal higher reason, you may want to rethink your goals and find something that is meaningful to you. Next, look into the ways you can make your workouts more enjoyable and get yourself pumped up for the gym. Finally, take a look at the popular supplements out there that may make your time in the gym a more pleasurable experience. After taking all of these factors into consideration, I'm sure your dread will dissipate and you will forget why you were complaining about working out in the first place!
Everyone is different. These differences are what make the world interesting, and exciting. Just imagine how boring it would be if everybody was exactly alike. There would be nothing to talk about, or discuss because everyone would feel, and think the same way. These different traits and personalities however make some people less suited for working out. Not everyone is into bodybuilding, or powerlifting but everyone is looking to maintain, or improve their health. Exercise along with eating a healthy diet is the best preventative medicine in the world for a whole host of different ailments. In this article I will go over some ways to make working out fun again, or maybe for some of you fun for the first time. Some people, myself included, love to workout. I have to force myself to take days off, and if I am sick or injured it kills me that I am not able to lift. I rarely miss workouts, and if I do I make up for it the next day. People like me are motivated to workout by a lot of different things whether it be training to improve athletic ability in a particular sport, or to improve their appearance, or simply because they love to workout, and push their muscles to their limits. Some people lift but do it because they feel like they have to, or because their doctor told them to, or to drop a few pounds, etc. Regardless of what the reason, they are not working out because they enjoy it and it shows. These are the people you see in the gym who do a set of 10 with a weight they could probably do for 50 reps, then they head over to the water cooler for a drink and to strike up a ten minute conversation with another person who doesn't want to be there. Finally heading back to do their next set.
I think nearly everyone dreams of being fit, and having a great looking body. However, Dreams won't take inches from your waist or add inches to your biceps. Dreams are fantasy, goals are a reality. The minute you take action to achieve something you dream of is when your dream instead becomes a goal. I think the difference is that the people who are working out, and enjoying it are the people who are working at achieving their goals, while the ones who are going to the gym because they feel they must are the dreamers who think simply showing up at the gym, and going through the motions will give them good results. This couldn't be further from the truth. Lackluster workouts and diet will yield lackluster results, while great workouts along with a proper diet will give you great results.
It is important for people to enjoy exercising because they are way more likely to stick with it if they are having fun while doing it. This is not always easy because to "workout" is to work out of your comfort zone. So I guess the million dollar question is how do you have fun while pushing yourself past the point of comfort? Odds are you've already done it hundreds of times. For example the first full court basketball game of the season between you, and your friends. Your heart felt like it was going to beat out of your chest, your lungs felt like they were on fire, the only thing that burned more than your lungs were your muscles from the lactic acid build up. You were far from in your comfort zone, but you had the most fun you had in a long time. That is only one example but there are many. So now you see it is possible to have fun when you are uncomfortable. Here are a few things you can do to make your time at the gym more enjoyable, and productive.
I often say to myself while working out "got to beat the book". I find that this helps me to focus, as well as it keeps me in a positive mood.
This is a great asset because you will no longer have to rely on a stranger at the gym to spot you which can be scary because if the person who spots you doesn't know what they are doing they could cause you to get injured which will really take the fun out of the gym for a while.
A little friendly competition between you and your partner is a great motivator. It's also nice to have somebody to talk to in between exercises. If you are married, or have a girlfriend it can be great for your relationship to go to the gym together. You will be improving your appearance for one another, and it is a great common bond to have.
They don't skip, they can hold thousands of songs, the batteries last much longer, and they are so small you forget you have them on. If you workout at home a nice stereo system is an excellent addition to your workout room, and is a very worth while investment.
You can switch things up by changing exercises, changing rep ranges, time under tension, time between sets etc.
Keeping track of your measurements and body fat percentage can be a lot of fun as well and like the log book it gives you short range goals. Knowing that you are going to take measurements motivates you because you do not want to see at the end of the month that you didn't improve.
Then they wonder why they feel like crap, and don't want to workout or have no energy once they get to the gym which makes their workouts unbearable. The first step some people should make even before starting a workout program is to improve their unhealthy diets. They will find that it makes a world of difference in their overall mood and energy levels. This will not only make their workout bearable it will make them fun.
I smoked from the time I was in my early teens until just over two years ago. I thought I felt fine when I was smoking, I never coughed, I felt good, I would get winded when doing strenuous activities but since I started smoking at such an early age I thought it was normal, or I figured it was because I was not in great cardiovascular shape. The truth of the matter was that smoking was greatly affecting my health. When I first quit I went through a couple months were I was really making great gains in the gym, better than any supplement I have ever taken. In a few months time I noticed that I didn't get winded nearly as easily, and when I did get winded I would get my breath back much quicker. I have much more energy, and stamina now than I did when I was in my early 20's. I would much rather spend my money on supplements that will improve my health than to pay all that money for something that will deteriorate it. I quit by taking my cooking timer that I use to keep track of how long I am taking between sets in the gym, and quitting one hour at a time. At the end of an hour I would say to myself,
"I made it this far I can go another hour."
Before I knew it I didn't need the timer anymore. It was much easier to quit than I thought it was going to be. Here is a link to a site that has a lot of information on quitting, and has free downloads of quit counters that tell you how long you have quit for, how much money you saved, how many cigarettes you would have smoked if you didn't quit etc. Quit Smoking!
Many would say "fun cardio" is an oxymoron, and cardio can definitely be boring, and anything but fun. But like anything else it's what you make of it.
Most people think of cardio as jumping on a treadmill, or stationary bike, a stair climber and mindlessly jogging, pedaling, or climbing away for 45 minutes only to end up where they started off. Cardio can be any activity that gets your heart pumping so use your imagination. Go to the park and practice your lay-ups on the basketball court for an hour, play tennis for an hour, go for a hike, chase your kids around the backyard for an hour, jump on your bike and go for a ride, or take a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Anyone of these is a great cardiovascular workout. Improving your cardiovascular health is one of the things that gives you an overall feeling of well being, and I would recommend it to anyone whether they are bulking up and trying to add some muscle or if they are trying to burn some fat. If you are bulking just make sure to make up for the calories you burn in your diet.
This is a crucial part of the workout. This is where you get yourself mentally prepared and psyched up to complete the tasks at hand. Your mental attitude is everything, without positive thoughts you are doomed because you will feel hopeless. If, before your workouts, you are thinking "This sucks! I have to go to the gym.", don't bother going. The only thing you'll accomplish once you get there will be getting in the way of people who are serious about improving their physiques. Here are a few things I do that I find get me amped up and exited about lifting, and keep me focused on what I want to accomplish in my workout.
 Click To Enlarge. Pound The Crap Out Of That Bag!
Here are a few good routines I made up that will produce great results. They might take a while to get used to but once you get into them and start seeing results you will start to enjoy the exercises that you hate. I used to absolutely hate squats and deadlifts but now they are my favorite two exercises because of the awesome results I have received from doing them.
Monday - Back, Biceps & Forearms
Wednesdays - Delts, Traps & Abs
Friday - Legs, Chest & Triceps
Workout # 2
Monday - Back & Triceps
Tuesday - Delts & Traps
Thursday - Quads & Biceps
Friday - Chest, & Hams
Workout #3
This is a demanding but fun routine and you wont overtrain working out 6 days a week if you keep the workouts short, take plenty of vitamin P (protein), eat your veggies, and get plenty of sleep. I also took great pains to make sure that you will not be indirectly training body parts you hit in the following days workout as much as possible. Monday - Back
  Click To Enlarge. Yates Rows. Tuesday - Triceps & Forearms
Wednesday - Delts & Traps
Thursday - Quads
Friday - Chest
Saturday - Biceps & Hams
Supplements
Can supplements help play a role in creating an enjoyable workout?
Your mood, or your mind set as I mentioned earlier are crucial to the quality, and the enjoyment of your workout. Some supplements can really get you charged up and give you the energy you need to get you through your routine. Lifting weights is demanding on your body so it needs all the help it can get. Supplements provide this help. Some supplements are taken every day as part of a healthy supplement regimen, and others are taken only shortly before working out to give you that extra boost to power you through your workouts. Here are some of the more effective ones.
CEE also makes your muscles fuller, and increases your pumps. All of which can increase your enjoyment in the gym. One more great thing about CEE is the price. This supplement is, in my opinion, has the best value of any supplement out there. So not only is it one of the most effective supplements on the market, it is also one of the cheapest. This is one of the supplements that you take 30 to 45 minutes before your workout. On non-lifting days you want to keep your muscles saturated with creatine so you take it first thing in the morning. CEE has a bit of a strong taste and can be a bit much for some people to take. CEE comes in powder or pill form. If you think that the powder might be too much then capsules would probably be your best bet.
This one has similar results to CEE but it comes in capsules. It is buffered creatine which is again much more efficient at getting into the muscle than creatine monohydrate. You will want to take one or the other but not both at the same time (CEE/Kre-Alkalyn). I just wanted to include all of the different new forms of creatine. I have also spoken to many people who have used both (at different time). Some have told me that Creatine Ethyl Ester gave them better results while others have said Kre-Alkalyn gave them better results. Give them both a try and see which one works better for you.
This is not the same as the caffeine that's in your coffee it is caffeine anhydrous and is much more potent. I would highly recommend anyone give it a try. Take it a couple hours before you exercise, and start at one tablet and work your way up to the maximum dosage. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others.
Powerlifters are wise to this and many will take 3 tablespoons a day. I have been doing that for a while now and my joints have never felt better. It takes a few weeks before you feel a difference but it is definitely a worthwhile supplement to take.
They all work in different ways and have a synergistic effect when combined. Here are a couple of those products:
Are you the type of person who works out because it's a chore, or do you enjoy it?
As I stated earlier in this article I love working out. I get a great sense of accomplishment when I change the way my body looks, and feels. Working out is an awesome way to release tension, improve your appearance, your health, your confidence, your quality of life in general. I take great pride in knowing that I am in better shape than the vast majority of the population. I have better strength and endurance now than I did when I was 18 years old, and I owe it all to working out. I quit smoking because I felt it was hindering my gains. This is why I can also attribute my love of bodybuilding to the fact that it helped me quit smoking. There are not many things in life that are enjoyable, and good for you. To me bodybuilding and exercising are a couple of those things. I would encourage anyone who reads this article to give some of the things I mentioned a shot and make their time in the gym more productive, and fun.
There are many people at the gym who you see many times a year who haven't made any significant gains, or times when you yourself have felt that you have low energy levels and could barely finish your workout. But why? That is simply because they do not prepare properly or because they do not workout properly. In order to have a proper workout, many factors such as sleep, diet and timing of the workout are important. It may also be because their negative workout habits, which include socializing during their workout and taking too much time between sets, are not focused or do not go to complete failure or training without variety. As a result, they do not achieve any results and sometimes when you train with low energy levels or are not focused, you yourself cannot feel any pain in the muscle the next day. There are actually very few people (about 20%) in my gym who have made significantly large gains. Here is a visual of two people that have made the largest gains in my gym: They stand out and are different from the rest because they enter the gym pumped with a partner and you know from the look on their face that they are serious. They are training to complete failure, scream, breathe hard when pumping iron, and are in the gym after you and out before you leave. They are consistent and encourage each other to put on more weight. These people are the ones that others and myself look up to.
Having an enjoyable workout is very important to making the most gains as possible. This enjoyable workout depends on many factors before you workout such as diet, supplementation, sleep, and timing of your workout. They all influence how much energy you will have as well as the mood you are in. There are also many important routines and tendencies that people should or shouldn't do to have a fun workout such as:
Diet
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy during your workout. Without them your glycogen levels would be low, therefore your energy levels would also be low. The meal before your workout should consist of moderate to high GI carbs for a quick release of energy as well as moderate to low GI carbs for sustained energy levels at the end of your workout. For example eating a fruit as well as some pasta. All other meals should have relatively low GI carbs. Essential fats such as fish oil and flax oil are also important in maintaining healthy levels of testosterone which lead to your energy levels in the gym. A pre-workout meal is important because it spares muscle breakdown, maintains nitrogen levels, and builds the muscle back when you are working out. Sleep
Timing Of Your Workout
I find that working out in the afternoon, 2 hours after lunch is the best time for me since I have the most energy at that time. Just make sure you do not workout at night because many people tend to be restless when they try to sleep. Also try not to workout at rush hour time in the gym when everyone is working out. You may be waiting in line to use equipment and that is not good.
Time
A good way to train is to do a 1:1 ratio of rest and work. I like to keep my workouts to about 45 minutes and wear a watch to keep time of my rest. Do not train for longer than 1 hour or you could over train which will lead to less energy and need for a longer recovery. Have A Goal
Having a goal your serious about making will automatically make you work hard. Trying To Make Your Workout Fun
A workout partner is definitely one of the top five keys in making your workout more enjoyable. Having music going is definitely great, especially if you are in a home gym. Music gets you motivated and also gets you into a good mood. Socialize
Over Training
Make sure you have at least one rest day a week. Over training will lead to less enjoyable workouts as well as decreased results. You can tell if you are over training if your weight or reps is consistently decreasing. Variety Of Training
You can change your workout by changing the exercises up, incorporating a proper amount of free weights:machines, and the way you do the exercise. There are usually 3 basic ways of doing an exercise, moving the weight up and down at a moderate pace, moving the weight up really fast and down really slow, or you can have someone press down on your rep while you are lifting up (or the reverse of that). Pump, Failure & Pain
Sometimes I actually am able to get it up again. This will actually give me a good muscle pump and make me feel huge. A good workout should make your muscles ache from the lactic acid. I know if my muscles aren't hurting the next day I have done something wrong, such as taking too much rest.
Getting yourself pumped before your workout is important, but more importantly you must stay pumped throughout your workout. There are many different ways you can you can do it but it mostly comes from the mind and environment. Here are some ways you can get really pumped up:
Having someone to spot you is important in keeping yourself pumped because if your benching alone you might be afraid to go to your max since you might drop the weight on yourself. This way you know you can push to your max without being afraid of looking stupid or hurting yourself. If you are afraid of doing an exercise then you're not exactly pumped. Your partner will be someone who will keep you pumped through the whole workout and make sure you don't slack off. This is especially great if you are doing 1 rep maximums.
Tell yourself that this workout will get me bigger, better and stronger if I work hard.
Although it may not seem like it, if you have a proper massage, your body will be in an oasis toxins will be released from the muscles. Massages are unreal before your increase the weight or bust plateaus.
Challenge Yourself
If you set a goal and you're serious about reaching it then you won't be bored. You can also look at a picture of your favorite bodybuilder or look at the biggest guy in the gym and say to yourself that I'm going to get bigger than that guy.
If you follow these guidelines any exercise can be fun. I find that when I can really concentrate the muscles that I am working out I can really have fun. This is usually for my chest and back. Some of my favorite exercises are different variations of:
I love these exercises because I can really feel my muscles burn afterwords. Sometimes I like to superset between two exercises and I really feel tired and good. Just changing up stuff and trying out new challenging new exercises is the best.
Supplementation can definitely help you maintain focus throughout your workout. They may even stimulate and give you increased energy levels for your workout, as well as burn fat. Here are some of the supplements you should try:
I workout because I will enjoy my results in the gym. I know I have to work hard to get them. I have figures that I look up to as well as inspirations from other people that keep me working hard. One of the best and most hard working people I know is Bill Grant. His inspirational video series, although short, is great. Check out the video called babyboomers in particular. Bill Grant who is almost 59 is still lifting intensely and making great progress.
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Depressed people simply don't have that much energy for everyday life and will find that getting to the gym requires a lot of physical and mental effort on their part. Sadly though, these are some of the people who need to workout the most, as it has been proven that exercise can greatly reduce the symptoms of depression and get them on the path to wellness once again.
Instead, try riding the bike, or using the elliptical machine, or maybe even taking a cardio class offered by the gym if you find that social interaction really helps lift your spirits.
Another way particular workouts can help make exercising more enjoyable is challenging yourself with something you've never done before but have always wanted to try.
This gives you a small week to week goal to add 5 pounds to an exercise, or a couple more reps at a particular weight and can seem a lot less overwhelming than people's ultimate goals of, for example, losing 40 lbs., or putting on 40 lbs. of muscle.
Babyboomer Tip From Bill Grant:
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