Five Ways to Get Your Mental Game on Point Before Heading to the Gym

It can sometimes be difficult to get your mental game on before heading to the gym, especially if you’ve had a stressful day. So, to help you become mentally prepared, check out the following five recommended tips.

It can sometimes feel daunting going to the gym for a long workout, but you can better mentally prepare yourself by breaking down the workout into smaller chunks. For instance, circuit training is broken into individual exercises, so by taking one at a time, you can be much better mentally focused and end up achieving more.

The more your body feels prepared for working out, the more your mind will also be focused. You can get your mental game on before you head to the gym by taking pre-workout supplements. A cup of coffee can work well, but pre workouts for women and men are better because they contain lots of other beneficial ingredients in addition to caffeine, such as essential amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. When you take pre-workout supplements shortly before you start exercising at the gym, you can last longer and go harder. As your overall performance improves, you’ll naturally feel more mentally focused whenever it is time to hit the gym.

Music is one of those things that universally helps to motivate people, as long as you play upbeat tunes that really hit a chord with you. So, if you listen to the likes of Leonard Cohen, you’ll want to swap for some music with power chords that lift you up and get your heart thumping. By listening to motivational music on the way to the gym, you can be much better mentally prepared for your workout session and give it your all. Many professional athletes listen to music to motivate them and help them focus before working out or competing. For instance, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps famously listens to music before heading to the blocks to start a race. You could also consider listening to music while you work out, to stay motivated throughout your session.

Everyone is different, so the way you approach your mental game before heading to the gym has to suit your own personality. So, contrary to listening to loud and upbeat music, you might prefer to embrace silence. Clearing your mind is the objective, and that can be achieved through both silence and listening to music, so the approach you use should be whatever suits you best. When you clear your mind from all external distractions, such as work or personal problems, you’ll be much more focused on attaining your fitness goals. Before you head to the gym, turn off your phone and avoid looking at social media posts and emails, and don’t chat with others when you arrive at the gym. The less you have to think about besides working out, the more focused you will be on your exercise routine. It can be especially beneficial to spend a few minutes meditating before you leave the house for the gym.

Doing exercise releases endorphins that help to lift your mood, which is why working out is recommended for people with depression. So, if you’re feeling unmotivated before it’s time to go to the gym, which can easily happen if you have a stressful day at work, for instance, remember that you will feel better after you have worked out. People often don’t work out when they do not feel good, but if you do not feel good, you can start feeling good by working out. Simple!