How important is staying focused while lifting?

[cephissus]

When I was younger, I followed my routine to the letter.  It was something I could have faith in: just follow the routine mindlessly and you'll have a good workout.

While this approach still seems ideal to me, I've recently found I feel a lot better about my workouts and have less pain if I actually focus on what I'm doing and adjust every rep to maintain muscle sensation.

In fact, I've seemed to notice it's hard to focus at the beginning and end of a workout.  At the beginning, I warm up more, until I can feel the muscle and focus on it.  Once I start finding it harder to focus, I start wrapping the workout up, even if I had planned for more.

Tl;Dr: do you think its important to focus on your workout and adjust by feel, or can you follow a routine to the letter and let your mind wander?

[thegamechanger]

we know what happens to people that let their mind wander... they turn their head to watch a girls ass and before they know it they break their back in the squat
not recommended.
stay focused!!

massive muscle gain is coming your way !!

godspeed brother

[Yamcha]

I find that a good training partner is key. With my good buddy Tren, I destroy anything and everything in my path.

[Yamcha]

You sound like the type of 'guy' who destroys anything and everything on Hampstead Heath after midnight oh brother

probably

[Grape Ape]

You sound like the type of 'guy' who destroys anything and everything on Hampstead Heath after midnight oh brother

Wait, are you insinuating Manchug keeps a jar of paint thinner on the back of his toilet to unstick the pages of his Men's Health magazines and "re-read" them?

[SquatsRule]

I usually focus on lifting instead of statements.

[Mr Anabolic]

 

Idiotic post.

[Hulkotron]

This is the most retarded question I have ever seen on getbig. What's next? "How important is breathing oxygen during a 45min workout?" ffs

I would put it right up there with bluto's "Curls, do you do them?" thread.

[cephissus]

Maybe I should restate: how important is it to focus on what you're doing and adjust, instead of forcing yourself to stick to the plan?

In other words, should you force yourself to stick to a routine?  To what degree?

Whether I hit certain numbers (reps, pounds) used to play a big role in how I felt about a workout.  It was depressing to fall short of the mark.  After completely changing my mindset -- adjusting the numbers based muscle sensation, I feel a lot better about my lifts.  The latter approach requires a lot of focus, the former not so much -- its harder to feel feedback and focus on the workout when you force reps, I've found.

[Hulkotron]

It sounds like "syphilis? yes" is the type of guy who really wants to force himself onto a stick.

[cephissus]

It's very subjective in my opinion. To the new lifter, its probably better to follow a tried and tested plan and stick to it, otherwise you will not know what needs adjusting (in other words, if you have no wells of knowledge about training yourself, it's better to follow something to the letter).

On the other hand, if you know your body's response to different training styles, then as long as you are focused on what you set out to do, and willing to make tweaks as you go along then its a better approach then following some random guru's plan.

In other words, should you shave little fucking bits of cheese onto every single meal you make and take a picture of it?

Thanks bud.  I like to record pictures for reference, and found it easy to share them as well.  I know how annoying someone who shares one of your interests can be when they 'show off' their skills, which are inferior to your own.  I don't mean to suggest I'm a great cook -- in fact, I'm frustrated by how bad I am, and want to get better.

Any tips about the best way to learn would be appreciated!

[funk51]

  remember a pic is worth 1000 words...

[wes]

100% concentration........... ..100% of the time in the gym.

If it was easy..................

[cephissus]

BigCyp used to post some mean recipes , banana pancake one comes to mind

Yeah, I remember his cheap eating thread.  I even tried the beef bell pepper recipe... Think I botched it though.

[Voice of Doom]

not very...