Intensity: either show up with it or get the hell out of the way.

What’s up with the people that go to gyms these days? I am consistently puzzled by the number of people who obviously have no real desire to be there, but insist on making it their nightly hang out anyway. You know who I’m talking about; the ones that are screwing around, getting in peoples way, texting, looking at the hotties on the treadmill, checking themselves out in the mirror, chatting your ear off about how much the used to bench or how great of shape they used to be in or even reading…yes reading! These people do anything and everything to avoid working hard and actually breaking a sweat. Why the hell are they even there?

How many of the people that train at your gym look the same as they did 4 weeks ago, 4 months ago…even 4 years ago? They show up day in and day out but never make ANY changes. I’d be willing to bet that most of the people in your gym fall into this group.

The unfortunate reality is, ALL of these people are completely wasting their time. They show up everyday and go through the motions, but they never progress or look any different because of the lack in INTENSITY. Sure it would be great if by some miracle just showing up at the gym day in and day out turned you into Adonis…but it’s not going to happen.

I know right now some of you are crinkling your nose at a word in the last paragraph that is unfamiliar to you. The word I’m speaking of is …INTENSITY. The dictionary defines intensity as “Exceptionally great concentration, power, or force” or the “the state or quality of being intense”.

What do you mean by intensity and why is it relevant? Intensity is a simple concept with many technical definitions.

One of the best real world definitions of intensity I have ever heard was “the ability to push yourself past the point where you want to quit, to the point where you can’t continue.”

Since I embrace simplicity, I define intensity as plain old, down home, blue collar, busting your ass!

Intensity is THE KEY to results in the gym. Its presence or lack there of is what either forces your body to adapt and physically change or stay exactly the same as it’s always been. Your body doesn’t care whether or not you “show up” to the gym everyday. If you lack intensity, you’re going to lack results…no matter how many workouts you “show up” to. Attendance may have counted in grade school, but the gym rewards participation…with INTENSITY.

Intensity is the number one aspect that most people’s workout regimens lack. It is the sole reason why they never see results. Please tell me how the hell are you going to get an intense workout while you are reading?! You aren’t.

Before you go to the gym next time ask yourself; Do you train with Intensity? Is every workout harder than the last? Are you constantly pushing to get better with every single workout? If you answered no to any of these questions…you lack the proper intensity and its time to turn up the ole Intensity dial!
The fact is, if you’re not busting your ass in the gym you have no business being there.

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