4 Simple Ways To Make The Most of Your Training

1. Don't "Program Hop"- This is one of the biggest problems of all.  Naturally, people always want to be compensated for their efforts.  They want to make sure that they are getting the best return (results: fat loss, muscle gain, etc.) for their investment (time, sweat, effort, etc.).  The mistake they make, though, is switching to a new program before they even give the previous one a chance to work!  I mean, if the program you're on is working okay, then there must be a better one out there somewhere; why not try all of them?  Seriously, some people really do bust their ass in the gym, but they're short-changing themselves by not giving the program time.  Results do NOT come in a linear fashion.  Obviously, going on for weeks on end without the slightest hint of progress is idiotic, but if you've been doing well, stay the course for a bit.  It's impossible to make progress in every aspect of your training in every session.  And this is the point where you will build physical AND mental strength.  This brings me to point #2...

2.  Believe In The Program and In Yourself- This is a crucial, yet, often overlooked part of training.  It is absolutely imperative that you believe in what you're doing when you train.  If you don't believe in the program, you will not put forth the amount of effort needed to make progress.  At that point, you've already resigned yourself to fail.

3. Have A Goal and Kick The Programs Ass!- I've never understood the point of going to a gym without a goal.  Even worse, I do not, and will not, understand the point of training, goal or no goal, with the intensity of a 3 year old girl!  Everyone wants to get results as fast as possible, yet no one trains that way.  They train with fear and it will hault progress in its tracks, shoot them in the foot, spin their wheels, kick them in the nuts, [insert witty cliche' here].  As Strength Coach Elliott Hulse says, "If you want to get extraordinary results, you've got to get really comfortable getting [F-Bomb!] uncomfortable!"

4.  Be Realistic-  I don't mean in the sense that you have unreasonable goals (though most people do).  I mean simply this: if you know that you only have 3 days a week to dedicate to the gym, do NOT choose a program that requires you to get into the gym for 6 weekly sessions.  That program is NOT... FOR... YOU!  Not gonna work!  Pick a program that is conducive to your lifestyle.  Dedicate at least 2-3 days a week to the gym.  If you can do more (CONSISTENTLY), then knock yourself out.  Do the best you can with what you have!

Summary:  Pick a program conducive to your goals and schedule, be consistent, believe in it, and train your ass off!