When it comes to training there are so many aspects to think about, especially if your looking for optimal results. But one of the biggest aspects that I’ve came to realize is just ignoring the bull shit and finding what truly gets you the results your looking for. The best thing I’ve found to achieve great results, is the atmosphere of where your training and the people your training with.
“The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.” -John Wooden
Nothing is more motivating then being in a great place with great people that push each other constantly to get better results. If I had to train by myself all the time, I know for a fact that my results would not be nearly as great as they have been since I started lifting with my “Training Crew”. I know this because I went from training at the local big box gym by myself to training in a functional training facility with guys who were stronger, more fit and have been doing it longer than me. But that didn’t mean they talked down to me or made me feel like a wimp, they pushed me harder and when my 1RM (1 rep max) was what they were reppin’, they made me feel great about it and made me realize how far I’m coming along already. That is exactly what a great training partner inside a great training facility acts like.
I can remember so many occasions of me getting frustrated at what they could do versus what I could do, but they always kept me on my mission to get where I wanted and now I’m lifting numbers unimaginable to myself back then. I can also remember the jokes and fun times we all have that helps break the seriousness of training and helps turn it into our hobby.
For instance, when I first started at Vigor Ground Fitness & Performance, they only referred to me as “Cody McLittleBack” or “Backless Boom” or simply just “Little Back”… and it drove me crazy! But I didn’t take offense to it, I just knew I had to put in some extra time on my back [SIDE NOTE: learn to laugh at yourself, taking everything to seriously won’t get you far and it shows weakness in character]. I literally added a set of pull ups or some kind of heavy row to every workout we did after we were all done. Within the next six months, my back was big! and pretty shredded! Haven’t heard the name “Little Back” every since!
The point of that story is even a little joke between the crew got me motivated to grow in my area of weakness. Motivation comes in so many different ways from different types of people but the important thing is finding the people that will bring out the motivation so you can achieve your goals.
Sometimes motivation needs to come from within, you cannot always rely on people to help you reach the goals your striving for. Yes a coach is a definite MUST when it comes to training properly and efficiently but you do not live with your coach, therefore that person cannot help you 24-7.
“It doesnt matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you.” -Oprah Winfrey
This is why training partners and the atmosphere your training in are so important! You are at the gym somewhere between 2-6 hours a week (if your training 2-6 days a week), but there are 168 hours in a week which means you are not in the gym for the majority of the week (162-166 hours per week, to be precise). So who and what is helping you reach the goals and stay motivated when you don’t have your trainer or coach there to help you?
Best steps to take in figuring out how you can improve your training and the atmosphere or the people around:
- Evaluate surroundings- Where do you train? Is it a motivating atmosphere? Is the equipment good? Is the music good?
- Partner(s)- Who do you train with? Are they motivating/motivated? Do they help you improve or slow the process down?
- Goals- Do you have a specific goal? If so do you know how you’ll get there? Does your partner have similar goals?
- Knowledge- Do you have the knowledge you need? Are there trainers available with the knowledge you need?
- Focus- Is your atmosphere allowing you to focus? or are you texting between sets and having conversations with other gym mates?
- Check yo’self!- This is the hardest one to ask yourself. Are you as on point as you should be? Is your diet as great as it should be? Are you consistent with everything you do? Are you slacking in areas that you know could improve?
These are all the biggest questions you must ask yourself to make sure your on the right track to achieving success.
- If your not training in a motivating place that has the tools and information you need to succeed, then start looking for that place.
- If your partners are holding you back or not striving to reach the goal you are, maybe its time to find some others to get serious and train with.
- When was the last time you truly evaluated what your goals are? This could be by far the most important step in creating the best atmosphere possible. If you don’t truly know, then you need to find out and have a strength coach discuss a game plan on how to get there.
- If you don’t have all the knowledge needed to reach the goal, which lets be honest most people don’t, then you should hire someone that does.
- Really evaluate everything you do when it comes to diet and training. You know what you shouldn’t be doing, so if your doing it… STOP! Ask a coach to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to get back to 100% effort.
- Now get focused on the goal you mapped out and start working towards it. No excuses once you get to this point, just go for it.
So whether you have one training partners, a few partners or a whole group, make sure their going to help you succeed. We treat it like a team and you got to try out to be on this team because we are all to focused to let one rotten apple come in a screw up the vibe. Seems a little hardcore yeah, but we all have gotten the results we’ve wanted and have a blast every single night we train.
I have created groups of training partners within my client list at my gym, which turned into people being best friends outside of the gym. I created a community of people who treat each other like family and they all only have two major things in common; they like to train, and they train with me.
Now that they have these bonds with others alike within the same atmosphere, they’re receiving much better results then they would have if I were the only one giving them the motivation and feedback they need. It can be more important then you might realize and once you accomplish this team and setting, you will understand how great it feels to put the pieces together and start your journey to success.
“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” -Napoleon Hill
