How to train hard but with discipline
Some people find visualizations helpful; others find them a dis-
traction. Try some and see if they help. Either way, the essence of
training well is to work hard, without rushing, and while holding
good form. Good form means perfect technique plus discipline. It
is not about just banging out reps to failure.With the bar loaded for a work set, switch onto training mode.
Switch off from your life. “Become” your training. Nothing else mat-
ters now. Visualize huge muscles and power to spare to complete
your set.Perform the set one rep at a time. Look no further than the current
rep. Do not rush. Use perfect exercise form.When the discomfort intensifies, dissociate yourself from it. Imag-
ine you are watching yourself on film. Push on. Do not rush. Use
perfect exercise form.Regroup your thoughts during the brief pause between reps.
Remind yourself of how much you want a stronger and better
physique. Keep the reps coming. Do not rush. Use perfect exercise
form.To be able to train hard is a privilege. Remind yourself of this dur-
ing the between-rep pauses. ink of people less privileged than
you—those in nursing homes, and those in graves. Resolve not to
quit before you are spent. Forge on. Use perfect exercise form.As the set nears completion, and you are at your hilt, visualize a
vivid life-or-death situation where if you fail to make the rep, you
die. en squeeze out a rep or few more. But use perfect exercise
form.Training intensively is no excuse for getting sloppy with exercise
form. In fact, the harder you train the more important that good form
is. Remember, intensity together with disciplined good form is what
successful training is about, not just banging out reps to failure.