Plan to Plan
April 3rd 2007 12:20
One of the marks of the gym newby is the printed workout log that he/she carries and the time spent filling in the performance. This is a perfectly acceptable,since the beginner can find organizing a workout and even remembering what exercises go with what body parts. At some point,however, the trainee is on his own. I have a few suggestions today about how to approach the task of organizing workouts.
Always map out what you intend to do before you arrive at the gym and then stick to it. This includes what body parts are to be trained. I have outlined in the past training sequences which combine body parts that can be trained compatibly. A methodical approach to these sequence will assure that you are not over training some pet muscle-like biceps or chest- to the neglect of another-like legs. Yes, you will enter the gym with more enthusiasm on days when your pets are due for work, but your general fitness will benefit from this regimen.
Always know what set and rep schemes you intend to use. If you are a professional bodybuilder or a veteran trainer you probably can wing it based entirely on how the muscle being trained feels. If you are a normal trainee you will end up dogging it, unless you set out the limits of your sets and reps in advance. Decide on the number of sets and reps and stick with follow it. I suggest that you ritualistically vary the number of sets and reps on a workout by workout basis.
I try to go beyond this basic planning when I prepare to train. I like to determine in advance what set extending techniques I am going to use. If I really want maximum intensity, for instance, I will tell myself that we are going to do forced reps or isometric contraction etc. You will get more accomplished by preprogramming these techniques.Once again, winging it will inevitably mean that you will not error on the side of not doing enough rather than enough.
Planning is really about focus. Just the act of planning your workouts in detail will focus your attention and focus is a central intangible in weight training. Knowing how much, how fast, and how intensely will set you on a workout that a casual approach will not match. "Plan your work and work your plan",you know. Your servant, as always
Map out a workout in advance. Also, place I want to visit.
Always map out what you intend to do before you arrive at the gym and then stick to it. This includes what body parts are to be trained. I have outlined in the past training sequences which combine body parts that can be trained compatibly. A methodical approach to these sequence will assure that you are not over training some pet muscle-like biceps or chest- to the neglect of another-like legs. Yes, you will enter the gym with more enthusiasm on days when your pets are due for work, but your general fitness will benefit from this regimen.
Always know what set and rep schemes you intend to use. If you are a professional bodybuilder or a veteran trainer you probably can wing it based entirely on how the muscle being trained feels. If you are a normal trainee you will end up dogging it, unless you set out the limits of your sets and reps in advance. Decide on the number of sets and reps and stick with follow it. I suggest that you ritualistically vary the number of sets and reps on a workout by workout basis.
I try to go beyond this basic planning when I prepare to train. I like to determine in advance what set extending techniques I am going to use. If I really want maximum intensity, for instance, I will tell myself that we are going to do forced reps or isometric contraction etc. You will get more accomplished by preprogramming these techniques.Once again, winging it will inevitably mean that you will not error on the side of not doing enough rather than enough.
Planning is really about focus. Just the act of planning your workouts in detail will focus your attention and focus is a central intangible in weight training. Knowing how much, how fast, and how intensely will set you on a workout that a casual approach will not match. "Plan your work and work your plan",you know. Your servant, as always
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