Post by Steve Gardener on Apr 2, 2010 10:35:54 GMT
In my time of coaching and one-to-one instruction I make a deal out of the trainees using as much as they can of what motivated them to join, be taught, what-have-you.
It is easy to forget this when I am, as it were, cracking the whip and they're plodding around knackered wondering when it's going to end. Time spent both before, during and after reminding themselves of the reason they are there is important as it can give them a renewed burst of energy. If, for example, they are over weight a simple look at a picture of a physique they'd like to have can be enough of a jolt in the face of what might seem all too much at that moment to get them back on track.
Equally there are a bunch of other 'fire lighters' which I and many other elite level (at what I do for me) use. Music is a favourite for many and it is not uncommon to see many of the same heavy metal, death metal, speed metal and the like tunes on many a MP3 player. But other sources can include film, TV, video, and DVD scenes which get the juices going, images from magazines (a la Dorian and his transformation back in the 90's). Even classic imagery ideas such as the adrenalin pumping 'you are saving your better half and kids from a burning house' has been used.
I've also told the pupils that it isn't always necessary for me to know what the inspiration is, although it can help me get them where they want to be if I remind them, but they MUST know. The trick then isn't just to know it but use it.
Now I am all too aware it is impossible to come to the gym and be 'on' in that fire under your arse world class training session each and every time you work out (now and again and esp on competition day is plenty) but a level of motivation, say 75-80% of max each time you arrive IS needed. It's no good turning up, mind distracted by the days events (work and other stresses) and having them still playing through your mind. You need, as it were, to have a distraction of a different kind. The act, for many, of changing into their workout clothes can elicit a Pavlovian response. In other words much like the dogs salivating when Pavlov rang the bell (google it) you become prepared to do battle with the weights as you tie the laces on your training shoes.
We have had people talk about coming to our Whey Gym, as many call it it, 'only when I am strong enough'. They feel they need to be at a certain level BEFORE they can train there. It makes them feel that way. A good old school gym can do that. The reality, as I've told them, is not one of being strong enough (we all have different levels anyway and start weak/er before making progress) but of attitude. I ask, when they want to train with us or under my instruction, not for a strong man or woman but a willing one. One who is willing to put out. Do not come and play, do not come and go through the motions, come with fire in the belly!
If the look and feel of our little weights dungeon makes people feel that way then they're already half way there. Dress for war, chalk the hands and bring your a-game. Then, as and when it's needed, half a mental jolt or form of motivation in the back of your mind on stand-by for the tough times. I've trained both ex-military and current military guys and they have a 'keep going 'til the jobs done attitude' which has both been trained into them and part of why they were selected for forces work in the first place. An un-motivated trainee feels like it will never end and may easily give up. The forces guys, from their military training experience, plod on, on and on. They know that, unlike night exercises and 30km 'yomps' the gym session is little more than an hour. While they are not always the strongest they can be a pleasure to work with as they will go at it.
Find what it is for you. Write it down, tape it (to be played back to yourself via headphones if need be), cut of those photos and make a scrap book. Print of the name of the task you're training for - be it, as with one of my guys, entry into the Royal Marine Commandos, or, as with many, a competition they have their sites on. But regardless of what it is - know it.
Then use it.
It is easy to forget this when I am, as it were, cracking the whip and they're plodding around knackered wondering when it's going to end. Time spent both before, during and after reminding themselves of the reason they are there is important as it can give them a renewed burst of energy. If, for example, they are over weight a simple look at a picture of a physique they'd like to have can be enough of a jolt in the face of what might seem all too much at that moment to get them back on track.
Equally there are a bunch of other 'fire lighters' which I and many other elite level (at what I do for me) use. Music is a favourite for many and it is not uncommon to see many of the same heavy metal, death metal, speed metal and the like tunes on many a MP3 player. But other sources can include film, TV, video, and DVD scenes which get the juices going, images from magazines (a la Dorian and his transformation back in the 90's). Even classic imagery ideas such as the adrenalin pumping 'you are saving your better half and kids from a burning house' has been used.
I've also told the pupils that it isn't always necessary for me to know what the inspiration is, although it can help me get them where they want to be if I remind them, but they MUST know. The trick then isn't just to know it but use it.
Now I am all too aware it is impossible to come to the gym and be 'on' in that fire under your arse world class training session each and every time you work out (now and again and esp on competition day is plenty) but a level of motivation, say 75-80% of max each time you arrive IS needed. It's no good turning up, mind distracted by the days events (work and other stresses) and having them still playing through your mind. You need, as it were, to have a distraction of a different kind. The act, for many, of changing into their workout clothes can elicit a Pavlovian response. In other words much like the dogs salivating when Pavlov rang the bell (google it) you become prepared to do battle with the weights as you tie the laces on your training shoes.
We have had people talk about coming to our Whey Gym, as many call it it, 'only when I am strong enough'. They feel they need to be at a certain level BEFORE they can train there. It makes them feel that way. A good old school gym can do that. The reality, as I've told them, is not one of being strong enough (we all have different levels anyway and start weak/er before making progress) but of attitude. I ask, when they want to train with us or under my instruction, not for a strong man or woman but a willing one. One who is willing to put out. Do not come and play, do not come and go through the motions, come with fire in the belly!
If the look and feel of our little weights dungeon makes people feel that way then they're already half way there. Dress for war, chalk the hands and bring your a-game. Then, as and when it's needed, half a mental jolt or form of motivation in the back of your mind on stand-by for the tough times. I've trained both ex-military and current military guys and they have a 'keep going 'til the jobs done attitude' which has both been trained into them and part of why they were selected for forces work in the first place. An un-motivated trainee feels like it will never end and may easily give up. The forces guys, from their military training experience, plod on, on and on. They know that, unlike night exercises and 30km 'yomps' the gym session is little more than an hour. While they are not always the strongest they can be a pleasure to work with as they will go at it.
Find what it is for you. Write it down, tape it (to be played back to yourself via headphones if need be), cut of those photos and make a scrap book. Print of the name of the task you're training for - be it, as with one of my guys, entry into the Royal Marine Commandos, or, as with many, a competition they have their sites on. But regardless of what it is - know it.
Then use it.
