Failure at the Gym Is Okay.
Three years ago, I injured my lower back while doing weightlifting (and again twice after). It was, to put it mildly, an exciting experience. I struggled with the need to lose weight and sometimes avoided the gym altogether, feeling like I had let myself down.
But random failures are not bad. In fact, it can be a good thing if you rethink your own thoughts, ” K. Aleisha Fetters , personal online trainer, said by phone. This week we discussed how to quit the gym . But what if you feel a little unmotivated after not seeing any progress and still want to try again?
Think of failure as information
The next time you fail a rep or are just too tired to go to the gym, consider it a lesson. “If you really tense in the gym, at some point you’re always going to fail,” Fetters said. “Just because you can’t do something or need to take a step back is not a failure, it is information and its use for growth. Everything we do is not necessarily about evaluating or evaluating what you are doing. “
And some lifters train purposefully to failure. They develop a repetition pattern that results in complete exhaustion of the body.
When you’re serious about not making it to the gym or missing your last rep, take it, move on and do better next time. If you’re too tired to handle your normal 30 minutes of cardio, set a minimum of 10 minutes.
“When you don’t have the opportunity to go to the gym or sit on the couch, it’s good to know that there is something in between,” she added.
Or maybe you just need the rest. Failure is not admitting that your body is screaming, “I need a break from the gym,” but make sure you don’t use that as an excuse (if you’re tired, walk away! If you’re sick, think about it).
Be patient
If you’re wondering why you’re not seeing results right away and are in doubt if it’s worth it, remind yourself to stay calm. You are probably progressing and just don’t know about it.
“Unfortunately, it will take time,” Fetters said. “It will take much longer than anyone wants. But it is important to understand the changes taking place at the cellular level. it’s important to understand that a lot is happening on a very small scale, like your muscle fibers. “
And if your form improves or you can better control your weight, consider it a victory. “These are also signs of progress, and it is important to look not only at the numbers, but […] the quality of the exercise.”
If you are into weightlifting or any other program, do not switch to another program in the hope that one will perform better than the other. “If you keep trying new things, your body will never progress in one thing,” she added.
It’s okay to change your goals.
It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to your past accomplishments. For example, I was able to lift more at 23 than at 28, and (reluctantly) learned to accept that my body and lower back at times could not handle the same load.
“When people try to go back to the gym for that first workout, they compare everything they do that day to what they did 10 years ago,” Fetters said. “Instead, think about what you did yesterday.”
And if the goal no longer satisfies you or seems unattainable, change it. Find something that really motivates you, whether it’s weight loss or twenty-inch biceps. Just be patient and take each day at a time.