Of all the blog posts that we have done at California Calisthenics, this is easily one of the most important. The lessons you can take from this post can not only take your workouts to the next level, but allow you to improve in every aspect of life! What I am preaching isn't some kind of supplement or activity, but a mindset that you approach workouts with.
The secret is Pride. Taking pride in your body and workouts is the best motivator to not only give you the energy to go to the bars/gym consistently, but also encourages you to work for that front lever, muscle up, or other elusive move that requires long term practice.
The secret is Pride. Taking pride in your body and workouts is the best motivator to not only give you the energy to go to the bars/gym consistently, but also encourages you to work for that front lever, muscle up, or other elusive move that requires long term practice.
The ego has been given a bad reputation in society. Part of being human, the ego is said to be the part of the psyche that is responsible for conceit, cockyness, and selfishness. However, while this may be true, YOU can harness your ego as a tool to do great benefit for your mind and body.
In order to do this, you have to take pride in a certain aspect of your workout and use that to motivate you to get better/ show off to other people.
When I used to lift, I could curl and chest press a ridiculous amount of weight. The only people in the gym that I saw pressing more than me were three hundred pound bodybuilders. When I would curl and press, I felt that people were looking at me (even though they most likely weren't) and thinking "damn that short Asian guy is strong!" This not only encouraged me to lift more doing my sets, but also energized me for the rest of the workout, because I feel I had achieved a sense of respect in the gym.
In order to do this, you have to take pride in a certain aspect of your workout and use that to motivate you to get better/ show off to other people.
When I used to lift, I could curl and chest press a ridiculous amount of weight. The only people in the gym that I saw pressing more than me were three hundred pound bodybuilders. When I would curl and press, I felt that people were looking at me (even though they most likely weren't) and thinking "damn that short Asian guy is strong!" This not only encouraged me to lift more doing my sets, but also energized me for the rest of the workout, because I feel I had achieved a sense of respect in the gym.
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This mindset translates extremely well to calisthenic outdoor workouts. However, since we don't use weights, our pride and confidence comes from the tricks and athletic feats we accomplish. For me, it started with the pride that I could do 20 pull ups in a row. Then, it became 20 muscle ups. Now, my pride comes from being able to human flag, lever, and do a one arm pull up. These skills and abilities not only make me feel like a boss when I perform them before work outs, but also inspires me to continue to progress to a better planche and front lever.
Taking pride in your skill set at whatever level you may be will give you the motivation to improve and shape the body and health that you want. Are you a girl doing calisthenics? Take pride in the fact that 99% of girls can't do a pull up and are not even trying to do one! Can you only do 10 pull ups? Most of the gym cannot do that with good form!
Use your ego to your advantage!
What are some things that you take pride in?
Taking pride in your skill set at whatever level you may be will give you the motivation to improve and shape the body and health that you want. Are you a girl doing calisthenics? Take pride in the fact that 99% of girls can't do a pull up and are not even trying to do one! Can you only do 10 pull ups? Most of the gym cannot do that with good form!
Use your ego to your advantage!
What are some things that you take pride in?