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Focus on What You Can Control on Your Fitness Journey

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Your fitness journey, like all journeys, is full of variables outside of your control. There are two choices on how to face these. Sure, you could obsess over everything, even the things you can’t control. Or, the better option is to ignore them and focus entirely on what you can control. From packing your gym duffle bag with all the items you need to making the most out of the small things, here’s how you can center your gym experience on what you can control. Gym Wear Make the Most Out of the Small Things At the gym, the smallest details can often make the biggest difference. When you take the time to focus on these small decisions and make the most out of them, you can influence your fitness journey as a whole. You can’t control how fast your strength improves, but you can make sure you perform every lift with proper form and complete each set—that means no “gimme reps” or half measures. You can’t predict every event at the gym, but you can pack a duffle bag with your gym gloves

4 Secrets That Can Help You Become a Veteran Bodybuilder

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The step from a rookie weightlifter to becoming a true veteran takes lots of hard work, but it can also be subtle. You might not notice it’s happened until someone comes up to you and asks for your opinion on their form. As you’re helping them out, you’ll realize your new role in the gym. The jump between these stages of your fitness journey can easily be made with the right knowledge. There are always a few simple principles that experienced weightlifters seem to know and stick to. Whether that means never cutting corners or wearing the right gym clothes , here are some of the secrets you need to know to become a veteran bodybuilder. Gym Clothes There’s No Such Thing as a Shortcut Over time, every dedicated weightlifter learns this lesson. You can’t take shortcuts on your way to reaching your fitness goals. It might be tempting, but they will just lead you back to where you are. The difference between experienced bodybuilders and newcomers still finding their way is that the veteran

3 Mindsets to Help You Overcome Challenges at the Gym

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Your fitness journey is full of plenty of obstacles and challenges. The more you overcome, the stronger you get and the more accomplishments you get to hang your hat on. Some of these roadblocks are small, and some are large, but either way, your attitude is a significant factor in overcoming them. While the gym is a physical experience, your mental strength can be vital to reaching further heights. So, when packing your gym duffle bag and getting ready to face your next challenge, here are three mindsets you can adopt to help push through it. Gym Wear Find the Secret to Success with an Analytical Approach The gym is often full of passion and fiery drive. Would it be helpful to adopt a mindset from the flip side of the coin? Can a more analytical approach help you get stronger and lift more weights? In fact, it can. Approaching your challenges with a calm and collected attitude, accompanied by an analytical way of thinking, can help you find solutions to problems you’ve been stuck w

How to Succeed in Transitioning to a Morning Workout Schedule

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For some of us, morning workouts come naturally. Others might struggle to get out of bed earlier to hit the gym. If that sounds like you, there’s good news! There are a few simple ways you can turn a morning workout from a dreaded task into something you look forward to. Once you’ve made a habit of lifting in the morning, you might never want to go back. Suddenly, early workouts become your best friend. So, whether it’s packing your gym clothes early or carefully planning your workout, here is how you can set yourself up for success when switching to an A.M. routine. Gym Clothes Pack Your Bag the Night Before The key to a successful morning workout is starting your day on the right foot. When you first wake up, the idea of packing your bag and getting ready to hit the gym might persuade you to go back to sleep instead. Why not prepare your clothes and gear beforehand? Take some time the night before to gather everything you need for the next day. That way, you can wake up and be out

How to Support Your Gym Community

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As a dedicated athlete, the gym is like your home away from home. Just like you have your family at home, at the gym, you have a family of fellow gym-goers who work as hard as you do to achieve their fitness goals. As a member of this close-knit community, you must make sure you are supportive and active, just like you are in your own family. Everybody could use a little support in their weightlifting goals, and you can provide just that. Pack your gym duffle bag and take these tips with you as you look to uplift and encourage your workout community. Gym Wear Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help This tip might seem like it’s just helping yourself, but starting by asking for help can be a great way to bring your gym community closer together. It is a great way to break the ice with new gym members or people you haven’t talked to yet. Ask them to spot when you bench press or see if they have any tips to help your squat form. Not only can this help them feel more comfortable at the gym, but

3 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Succeed at the Gym

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While persistence and dedication get you to the gym every day, motivation can be what helps you lift that extra rep or hit a new PR. Lifting isn’t a passive activity. As a bodybuilder, you want to ignite that fire inside you, power through every obstacle, and smash every doubt. No matter whether you just started your fitness journey a month ago or you’ve been bodybuilding for a decade, you need a source of inspiration. The right quotes are a perfect way to find what you’re looking for. These words ring true in your ears and turn the fire in you from embers into a roaring blaze. Next time you consider dropping the bar and quitting before finishing your set, tighten your gym gloves , recite one of these three quotes, and give it all you have.  Gym Clothes “Fall Down Seven Times, Get Back Up Eight” This Japanese proverb is quoted in many different situations, sometimes with the wording slightly varied. But the message is always the same. If you get back up every time you fall, there wil

4 Compound Lifts You Need in Your Lifting Routine

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There are a lot of benefits of an intense strength training routine. You get stronger, improve your overall health, and help enhance your physique. When you are creating a lifting schedule, a few lifts stand out above the rest. These compound exercises can help you target large groups of muscles. They should be a pillar in your routine and the main focus of your energy. If that sounds like the plan you’re looking for, grab your gym gloves and get ready to lift. These four compound lifts should be in every strength training routine. Target Your Lower Body with Squats Squats are the ultimate leg day workout. They work out a wide range of muscles, from your glutes and quads to calves and hamstrings. They also can help improve your core and lower back strength. When squatting with good form, you can even improve your mobility and posture. Remember to keep your knees over your toes and your back straight. Keep your heels on the ground and power through each rep. If you are looking to imp