With so much information on the internet about strength and conditioning these days, there are so many answers and so much advice out there. Anyone with a smartphone can get them selves working through a training program and on the road to increased strength and conditioning.
Sure, someone can have a great program, all the equipment and access to Youtube for movement demos but there are certain ingredients to your training that can't be downloaded from the net.
Now everyone trains for lots of different reasons, and I'm not saying one way is right and others are wrong. But for those out there that are looking to push the boundaries of their fitness, or get themselves out of a rut or plateau and/or just want to mix things up a bit then this is something for you to consider.
1- Training with a crew that are at a level you aim to be.
When we train by ourselves, or consistently train within a group that we are the fittest and strongest, we can fall into the trap of complacency.
Instead of pushing our self to the very end, we may take the pedal off the gas and start to cruise if we are in front of our training buddies and going to finish the workout first.
The same complacency can creep into our strength workouts too, we can take the easy option instead of putting the extra 5-10kg on the bar for your last set and putting yourself into the situation of a heavy grind that will not only test your legs but steal part of your soul.
Intensity is the key to progress, be honest with yourself when evaluating your training efforts and you may come to the realisation that you are leaving valuable gains out on the gym floor. Training with a crew that are at the next level is a great way to get the most out of yourself. Just by being around guys that are fitter, faster and stronger than you helps break the mental ceiling that you put on your own performance. You see it can be done, so you work harder to get it done.
An environment of friendly competition is a great place to get the most out of yourself and push your limits to the next level.
So get yourself involved with a crew or gym that have a wide range of solid athletes, and get in the mix.
2- Find a Coach that has reached your goals themselves, or has coached others that have.
The best way to reach your goals, is to find a coach that has been there themselves, or has many testimonials from clients that have reached the same goals that you are working towards.
With so many people involved in strength and conditioning these days, it's good to do your homework and find the best coach around to help you with your training and reaching your goals.
There is a lot to be said about working with someone or a group of people that have been through the process before and have seen success.
3- Find or keep an alternative hobby to training.
Depending on your goals, whether it be to make Regionals, keep fit for life or reaching your goal weight, training can become all consuming. It's great to be focused and enjoy your time in the gym but it's good to keep it all in perspective. Unless you are realistically training to make the CrossFit Games, then its good to keep an even balance in your life.
When you're in the gym, give it your 100% effort and focus. When outside the gym, refresh your mind from training and be present in the other great things in your life outside of training.
If you find yourself constantly worrying about how things will effect your performance in the gym, eventually your results will suffer due to both mental and emotional fatigue.
Finding something outside of your gym life and your work life, something totally separate from the two is a good way to disconnect from the stresses of work and the constant 'obsessing' of CrossFit and/or your health and fitness.
It's important to weigh up why you are training and how much you are willing to sacrifice for your goals.
Your performance will increase and keep increasing as long as you keep healthy, enjoy your training and give it 100%!