Mindset and Exercise

Mindset is the most important aspect of the fitness game. It’s not a secret, but not many people seem to fully appreciate it.

Waking up at 5AM to do cardio isn’t easy, especially when you’re still sore from weight-lifting the evening before. Falling behind on the TV shows everyone else is talking about is awkward, and hearing them say you’re “obsessed with the gym” is just annoying. There are so many variables to control and so much time to commit — the obsessed ones are the only ones who will see any results.

But we’re not here to talk about haters. Once you’re out of bed, off the couch, and facing the next challenge, they’re pretty easy to shut out. How to approach these challenges is where things may get cloudy. Different forms of exercise are difficult in different ways, and they call for some mental flexibility.

Aggression:

Easily the most stereotypical mindset, aggression gets your adrenaline going. It makes you believe you’re invincible, your strength knows no bounds, and you can tackle any weight slapped on the bar. It’s liberating and satisfying, conjuring up feelings similar to lust before the next challenge.

For this exact reason, it’s the best mindset for high intensity interval training (HIIT).

An HIIT workout consists of short sets of demanding exercises. It gets the heart beating and the sweat flowing. Whether it’s sprinting or burpees or battle ropes, if you can’t wait to beat it, you’ve already won.

Alternatively, it may not be the best mindset to go into when practicing yoga. I just don’t think it would work.

Zen:

“Jog with an aggressive mindset, then blink. When you open your eyes, you’ll be sprinting.” - Me

Walking into the gym with a clear, calm mind is underrated. It’s not just for monks in odd robes. It’s great for heavy lifting, and for several reasons.

1. It allows you to focus on and maintain perfect form.
2. It keeps you from attacking weights which will snap your bones. (Now imagine if you were doing this with the aggressive mindset.)
3. You’ll be able to avoid distractions. (You’re attempting a new squat PR. You see your gym crush in the mirror and whip your head around without thinking. The bar slips, the weight crushes your spine, and you fail your PR.)

I will agree with everyone who says it’s not as fun as rushing the iron with bloodshot eyes and a racing heartbeat, but the zen mindset gets results, and that’s all I’m taking into account right now.

Determined:

Maybe (most likely) it’s because cardio is my weakest point, but a determined, completely focused mindset is the most important thing I bring to every cardio session. (Next in line are my headphones.)

Steady-state cardio doesn’t agree with me in any way except in that it strips me of fat and water weight. There’s no instant gratification. There’s no head rush. But there is a seriously sexy result.

It takes a lot of discipline for me not to break out into a sprint, and you can imagine what it takes not to quit.

Sometimes, keeping eyes on the prize is the only option.

Sadness:

“Bad days make great workouts.” - Everyone

It may seem pointless to work out while miserable and disgusted with everything, but there’s a strange magic to this mindset. I’ve walked into the gym with my head down, my shoulders hunched, and my spiritual tail tucked between my legs, and gone on to set a new deadlift PR. Needless to say, I felt better walking out.

Everyone’s miserable, therapy is expensive, and exercise releases endorphins. The best one to do when you’re a little down is the one that gets your heart pounding and ego skyrocketing.

Goofiness:

I couldn’t leave off on that depressed note, so I bring you another mindset which isn’t often associated with pumping iron.

While fitness should be taken seriously, there’s no point being too serious about it. Relax on your (designated) lighter load days. Remember those silly, random exercises you see Instagram fitness models doing? Remember how you secretly want to try it out? Well, a goofy mood is the perfect mood for that weirdness. If anyone notices and tries to make fun of you, just remind them of what you can do in the aggressive mindset.

Mentality affects your entire workout and, therefore, the results you see — the same results your haters are going to see. Think about your future abs, or think about nothing. Think about how scrawny your ex-boyfriend is. Do whatever you must to silence everyone who thinks you’re too “obsessed.” Make yourself proud.