| Bad workouts. We have all had them at some | | | | occurs. And the stress about how the next |
| time or other. When you need to train so | | | | session will be can be intolerable.The key is not to |
| intensely to break the muscle down it is hardly | | | | panic. As with any sport you are training a human |
| surprising that the odd bad session occurs. After | | | | body. We may know a vast amount about how |
| all, we are only human and we cannot be 100% | | | | the body functions but there is no doubt that |
| consistent all the time. (I would question that | | | | there is even more that we still need to learn. So, |
| when it comes to Ronnie Coleman but I am sure | | | | go into your next workout thinking that the bad |
| even he has had his bad days).But there are bad | | | | one you just had was a blip and nothing more. |
| workouts and bad workouts. I am not talking here | | | | You are still on the right road to the physique you |
| about the ones we know are going to be bad. | | | | want. Never feel it is worth changing your diet or |
| You know the ones I mean... you arrive at the | | | | training routine just because of one bad day.But |
| gym knowing you are going to perform badly. | | | | do not forget about it. Use it as a learning |
| You have had a stressful day at work, failed to | | | | experience. I have found that my quads have |
| eat properly, you feel tired... all these things sap | | | | their weak days every now and then. It is just |
| you physically and mentally. You walk into the | | | | how my body works. I know that if I have a bad |
| gym knowing that day's workout is not going to | | | | quad day I need to rest them just a little bit |
| be one you want to remember.And I am not | | | | more. Bodybuilding success comes from knowing |
| talking about those days when your training | | | | your body and how it reacts. Everyone is an |
| suffers because you get distracted. Successful | | | | individual. No amount of personal training or advice |
| bodybuilders need very strong mental focus. You | | | | can replace hard earned experience from the |
| have to have the right mind set to lift with proper | | | | gym. And a bad workout is still good experience. |
| form and push your muscles beyond that failure | | | | Learn from that bad session and move on a |
| point... and that is not helped by hearing that twit | | | | wiser bodybuilder.The most often cited reason for |
| on the other side of the gym clanging the | | | | a bad workout is over-training. There is no doubt |
| dumbbells together like they are a couple of | | | | that over-training is a major issue for |
| cymbals at the top of every shoulder press rep. | | | | bodybuilders. Many of us are over-training and are |
| Or by watching the grunting idiot swinging far too | | | | not even aware of it. A bad session like this can |
| much weight around; more to massage his poor | | | | be a symptom that reveals a need to take the |
| ego than to build some mass. Face it: any serious | | | | foot off the gas just a little bit. To be honest, if |
| lifter has to witness so much stupidity in the gym | | | | you have periodic rest phases over-training should |
| that it is a wonder that you can get a half decent | | | | not be an issue for you. Let the body recover |
| workout in without peeing your pants laughing at | | | | completely or your gains will be minimized. If your |
| what other gym members think lifting weights | | | | bad workouts become more consistent it is your |
| is.So, picture it. You have eaten well. Just come | | | | body's way of asking for a break. Listen to your |
| off a rest day. You're working your favorite body | | | | body. It is the reason you are training in the first |
| part. You are psyched, in the zone. Nothing or | | | | place. Treat it with respect and you will achieve |
| no-one in the gym can stop you putting in a killer | | | | your goals. Treat it like crap and you will look like |
| session today. You stride purposefully up to the | | | | crap.Most importantly, remember that attaining a |
| hack squat. Do some stretching. And start some | | | | great physique is a long term goal. You are not |
| warm-up sets. Hmmm... feels a bit heavy but I'll | | | | going to morph into a muscle babe overnight. It |
| keep going. You put some plates on, getting | | | | takes time and patience to add pounds of muscle. |
| ready to go all-out... you can hit 20 reps today. | | | | Years of dedication and consistency are |
| You can feel it. But your quads think differently. | | | | necessary. Focus on the long term. One bad |
| You max out at ten and you're a quivering | | | | session every three months is only four bad |
| wreck... what the hell happened?Bad workouts | | | | sessions a year. That means you must have had |
| with no excuses are a bodybuilder's nightmare. | | | | at least 200 great workouts in that same year. |
| After all, we plan our training and nutrition so that | | | | And it is those great ones you should focus on. |
| bad workouts do not happen. Doubt starts to | | | | Add all of those up and you get what you are |
| creep in about the plan you have. Am I eating | | | | working for: an incredible physique that you can |
| right? Am I resting enough? Am I lifting right? It | | | | be proud of. |
| can sap your motivation when a setback like that | | | | |