8 Tips To Get You Through Tough Workouts

In order to be an athlete, you obviously have to have the body type to do so. Yes, unfortunately that requires the scary thought: working out, a lot. 

Some people view working out as a way to cope with things (stress, anger, happiness, natural habit,etc), to do it for pleasure, or view it as a pain in the you know what. 

But when you are a collegiate athlete, you really don't have that option to opt out or "not really feel like doing it." Working out is your life. Post- season, pre-season, regular-season: yeah, there really isn't a time you aren't working out. 

That's what I learned myself, to suck it up. But, whether I am feeling super good that day, or feeling sluggish and cannot physically get out of bed that day, I do have some reoccurring thoughts overall. Here are some tips to help you get through those brutal workouts when you really feel like you "literally can't."

8 Tips for those Tough Workouts:

1. "I think I can, I know I can."

Yeah- that can be easier said than done. But when your trainer is screaming in your face to do 5 more reps, and your arms feel like a fresh plate of Jell-o, repeating this can actually motivate you to keep going, for just a few more. Mind over body- your mind has control, so tell it to shush, and let you finish what you need to get done.

2. A vision

For my volleyball team- we've always wanted a CACC Banner. That is the ultimate goal of every season: to win a Championship Banner. It is equivalent to winning an Olympic Gold Medal in our eyes (a little dramatic, but you get it). Personally, envisioning myself holding that banner after all the blood, sweat, and tears, really pushes me to get through what I am doing. Cheating myself in the moment will only come to bite me in the behind later on. Envisioning your big end goal is something that can really get you to keep trudging along. 

3. Break it Down

"Okay, 45 lbs on each side plus the barbell, 5 sets of 10." Okay.. so technically 10 sets of 5? Sometimes breaking down your workout to make it a little more bearable, can help. Setting those mini goals can be a way to view the workout differently.

4. The Buddy System

Working out alone: BORING! Sometimes, working out with another person can have a ton of benefits. Sure, some people enjoy being alone, taking a mental day and using their own ability to get a killer workout in. But, say if that gets old, or you just prefer something else: grab a friend! When working out with someone by your side, you can add a little mini competition. Push your partner to do one more rep, add five more pounds, do 3 more sprints, etc. That little extra kick can help your partner as well as yourself, to push yourself further then you thought. Hey, another sore muscle never hurt nobody, right? 

5. Get Distracted

Going into a workout bare with nothing but you and yourself can stink. Bring music, a book, a study guide, your dog (only under certain circumstances). Just a little distraction can help tremendously. For instance, running on the treadmill while reading the whole Harry Potter sequel might not make you run 40 times faster and make your legs never stop moving, but it can definitely make running a mile go much quicker. 

6. Don't Cheat!

Cheaters NEVER WIN. Okay, maybe someone won't know if you really did 20 good push ups, because at 18 you felt like your arms were going to snap like an uncooked noodle. But- in the end, it'll effect you. Honestly, it can affect you mentally, just thinking back to your workout out like: why didn't I just do one more? Not fully doing every rep, every sprint, every jumping jack, whatever it is, will not benefit you at all. JUST DO IT! You can mope and complain about how hard it was later. Don't be lazy. 

7. Picture that post-workout feel

Yeah, in the moment of doing 12 speed sprints on the treadmills make you feel as if you are going to completely fall off and slam into the wall behind you, making your chest feel like it is going to rip open and have your heart fall to your feet, but imagine how good you'll feel when you are showered after, laying in bed, belly full with a good breakfast, done the workout. Donating that one hour to hard work, leaves the rest of your day open for whatever tasks you need to get done. Look good and FEEL great. 

8. What got you here?

In the end, why? Why are you doing this? Is it because you are an athlete at a college? Was it your New Years Resolution? Are you doing a weight-loss challenge with your friends? Focusing on what made you start is an excellent way to get you through the workout. For me, I have a milestone I want to reach before I graduate. Everyday I push through everything to get to that final end goal, as well as doing it for not only myself, but my parents. Because who doesn't love proud parents? Picturing your end goal, or why you started can benefit you mentally and physically. Pretty soon you'll be noticing those killer biceps and baby abs developing (keep working)!

In the end, you can look at working out however you like. At all levels- it is what it is. It makes you feel good, look good, and can have extremely life changing benefits. Sometimes even short little workouts can do huge impact. So get in there, change your mindset, and I promise, those results will show up faster then you think. KEEP GOING!