Do you know the answer to this question? Before you answer,
let me tell you, I'm not asking how much you can bench, squat
or deadlift. I want to know how strong you are, not how much
you can lift. What do I mean by that? Knowing the answer could dramatically ramp up your progress.
Getting results from your weight training, cardio, or nutrition
program takes a lot of strength. It also takes a unique kind
of strength. I am talking about your mental muscle. If you
don't have the mental strength to get up early and hit the gym,
eat the right meal, resist all the temptations that can derail
you, etc., then it doesn't matter how much you can lift.
So, what I mean by the question 'how strong are you?' is
a little different. I want to know you strong your determination
is. I want to know about your level of resolve when you face
adversity. Do you quit when the weight feels heavy?
Mental strength will help you reach your physical potential.
In fact, it will help you be successful in anything you do,
from weight training and fat loss, to family and career goal.
Here are some unique ways to physically test your mental
strength.
These are some of my favorite two minute drills. You've never
realized how long two minutes is until you try these. And, once
you do, you'll know a lot about yourself and your mental strength.
1) Wall Sit - Stand a foot or two from a wall. Place your back
against the wall and move down until your thighs are parallel
to the ground, just like the squat. Now hold it for two minutes.
You can do it. After all, you're not even using any weight, right?
2) The Half Push Up - Get down into a push up position. Now
go halfway down and hold it for two minutes. Can you feel the
burn? ;-)
3) Hanging Out - Find a chin up bar, get into the bottom of the
pull up position and hold it for two minutes. Sounds easy, doesn't
it?
4) Forearm Follies - Get into push up position but do it as if
you are going to do the push ups on your forearms. Hold it
for two minutes. You have to make sure your body stays
straight or you are cheating. Your body, including your abs,
are going to hurt.
5) Iron Cross - Grab some light dumbbells and get into the famous
iron cross - holding the top of a lateral raise. Hold it for two minutes. You'll need some really light dumbbells. Trust me.
6) Drive Your Car - Sit on a bench. Keep your back straight. Grab a weight plate like you would a steering wheel and rais it out in front of you, arms straight, like you are driving a car. Hold it there for two minutes.
How are you feeling? How did you do? Did you have to dig deep? Did you use a lot of mental tricks? Did you want to quit? Not easy, is it? Brings new meaning to the phrase, 'feel the burn,' doesn't it?
Most likely, you've learned a lot about yourself with these little drills.
Use what you've learned to ramp up your fitness progress.
Gregg Gillies is the founder of http://www.buildleanmuscle.com His articles have appeared in Ironman Magazine and he is a regular contributor to Body Talk magazine. He has written two books, available at his site and publishes a free newsletter at Building Muscle and Losing Fat
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