Unleashing Intensity : Part 1
- C. Rossman
- Aug 12, 2016
- 7 min read
After reading a number of fitness blogs, looking at training protocols, and seeing some social media post one thing that always seems to pop up in fitness is the word Intensity.
Intensity is defined two ways as seen below by the Merriam Webster Dictionary :
the quality or state of being intense : extreme strength or force
the degree or amount of strength or force that something has
In everything we purse we can identify different people.
The person that does something that just gets them the results but when you watch them there seems to be something missing.
Then there is the person that no matter what they are pursing there is something special about them.
They have that one thing, almost like a secret ingredient, that makes them work a little harder, obtain results, keep looking to better themselves, the list goes on.
So what is the secret ingredient?
I say the one of the most potent supplements in the fitness game or any passion you purse is the intensity you bring to the table.
Lets take something simple for example.
A seated side lateral raise (Seated Side lateral raise video is linked). You can have a person sit down pick up some heavy dumbbells and swing them around for 3 sets of 10 reps get up and say they worked out.
Yeah the 45 lb dumbbell seated side laterals were impressive in weight, but did they truly focus and bring a connection to the muscle through the movement?
In actuality nobody but that person will know. However, the intensity you bring into something can be seen by others and I truly believe to make any type of life change you have to be willing to bring an intensity so big that others cant deny you want it.
So by now I hope you are asking okay how do I bring intensity?
I don't know about most, but I'll outline some of my tips for bringing some serious intensity to help boost your gym performance and help solidify the change you are going after.
Tip Number 1: Mantras are Key
Nothing has helped me more in making a permanent lifestyle change than mantras.
You know what I'm talking about, that little saying or thought that you speak in your head to get you amped to step into a situation and ripe the door off its hinges.
The one thing that if another person heard you say they would be like what the ****** is that person doing?
The little ideas that you repeat to yourself time and time again that will your every fiber in your being to be that tad bit better than that day before in what you are pursing.
Now lets say in fitness what if you had nothing but Mantras of just pure beast running through your head the whole time you train?
Do you think it would up the intensity?
I personally have used these to shatter standards I thought I would never surpass.
My mantras kick in when I'm in the middle of a heavy set, hit that wall of doubt in a workout, hit the wall doubt if all this time and effort will be worth it, etc...
My mantras have saved me and pushed much farther in times where I just wanted to throw in the towel. My mantras are mine!!!!
That's right mantras are only for the person that creates them for pure motivation, nobody can say its right or wrong, you don't have to be the biggest, you don't have to be strongest to you use them, mantras cater to strictly what gets you fired up.
Sure you will see other mantras and some might stick with you but the meaning of that mantra could be something completely different to each individual and that's the beauty.
This is where you can completely evil to yourself, be nice, mean, whatever you want that's going to get you to the next level.
They can up your intensity in the gym or life by 10 fold and all you have to do is pick one for the day and repeat it over and over every time you hit some type of barrier.
One of my personal favorites is: "Every rep is the last rep of the day, create the muscle, don't just work the muscle, now squeeze ******."
I use this particular one on muscle groups I feel like I'm having trouble getting a mind muscle connection to. It has single handedly produced some of the best workouts and pumps I have ever had.
Mantras are money!
Tip Number 2: Dress BadA**
I'm all for going to the gym in something you like wearing. Something that totally makes you fell like the biggest person in the room.
Don't go overboard like sunglasses, leather coats, almost nothing on etc... (I have seen all those actually).
However, pick something that makes you feel like no matter what weight is in front of you, the beast, hulk, or monster within you would have no trouble moving it.
Like a stringer, tank top, cut off shirt on arm day where you can see your muscle working.
Don't get caught up in looking in the mirror because of it, remember you are there to work, but seeing a muscle a little more defined or a vein you haven't noticed before in an outfit you feel good in can play so well into mantras and self image.
If you feel like you look Bada** then you will probably think it and if you are thinking it you will put everything you have into what you are doing to look bada**.
For example: Getting dressed up for a black tie event or even remembering the days where you went to prom, and put on the tux. You felt good to be that dressed up and had a certain air around you.
People noticed it too!
Why is the gym any different?
Wear something that you feel will take your performance to another level and use it to step your game up.
For me, my personal favorite's are the baseball t's and tank tops with long pants and a hat. Don't ask me why but when I throw that combination on I feel unstoppable and take it out on the weights.
Its not because I'm better than anyone its because I feel comfortable in that type of outfit, have better range of motion, can see my muscle contract and relax, and just feel bigger.
At the same time exercise some caution with this one. If you are a guy and feel awesome in a Speedo that's awesome and good for you but remember you are going to a gym!
Please Dress accordingly!!!
Tip Number 3: Muscle Music
The one thing almost everyone does is buy a pair of head phones and download their favorite songs to a playlist for the gym before even buying a gym membership.
In all honestly there is nothing wrong with having a song that hits the best guitar solo, drum solo, or beat right when you are in the middle of a heavy rep and need that extra boost.
Heck in a day to day life we all have those moments when a particular song comes on that seems to speak to us and just hits the mood straight on.
Here is the kicker, is the song just your favorite or does it truly speak to you and tap into your animalistic side.
I'm talking about the songs that truly get your blood boiling and get you active. Not the ones that are trending on the radio and you like until you hear it played the 100th time and get bored with it!
From my experience these songs will be some genre you didn't even know you would listen to.
I personally love R&B music and could listen to it all day everyday. The moment I hit the gym, my playlist changes to more rock and things that just make that inner rage, slight insanity, and ultimate destruction come to the surface.
My top 3 artist in my playlist are the following:
1. Five Finger Death Punch
2. Dr. Eric Thomas
3. Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard
As you can see I even implement motivational speeches into my workout playlist.
Weird?!? Probably but I'll tell you something, when you workout most of the time on your own, there is nothing like someone saying you are a beast, a lion, you were meant to be better than average, that can just push you to shatter that invisible glass ceiling keeping you contained.
The playlist, or I like to call it "Muscle Music" should be your own and truly set you off so you hit the gym floor like a tornado.
Don't let your Muscle Music be dictated by others though. Remember is about what makes you better, what makes you hungry, and what makes you wanna change.
I have friends that listen to hip-hop, country, rock, jazz, even slow jams and R&B music.
Heck I know people that have multiple playlist for different moods, or even put one song on repeat because one song hit that spot for the day and it keeps driving them.
I personally have trained with my playlist, one song for over an hour, or even no music at all just let sound of the iron palace take control.
In the end be super picky about your muscle music, I haven't changed my playlist for over a year.
The lyrics, beats, hooks, verses all play off of how you feel and can become a mantra that can shatter your concentration or unleash the intensity of your inner beast.
Again these are just some of the things I have personally used to up my intensity to produce a life style change. A change rooted so deep I'm addicted to it.
This is just a taste of some of the small changes that make a big difference in how anyone can approach their goals.
That being said use one of these methods, another method, comment and let us know a method you use for magnifying your intensity for your passion,
Most of all if you are new to fitness, dieting, a lifestyle change, don't just knock on the door of change, kick it wide open and walk in like you own the place and bring some serious will power, determination, and intensity with you. This is about living and make a change you are going to enjoy for life. Do it now and do it today bringing with it so much force you inspire others to forge ahead and purse something they have always wanted.
-The Iron Pulse beats within you
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(all photos are linked back to sources they were taken from)
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