Train like an animal because if you don't you are just wasting your time.
You are the Lion of the gym. Act like it. The Sheep and Cows can sit on a machine and watch TV but you're there for a purpose.
You're there to strengthen your body and mind. The only way to do that is to push yourself past any limits you think might exist.
The other weaklings in the gym have accepted limits.
That's why they look the way they do. That's why they act the way they do. That's why they are frightened.
But not you. Not anymore. Not ever again. Lift that monster weight. And do it again and again.
That weight doesn't want to be lifted. That weight thinks you can't lift it. That weight is mocking you.
What that weight doesn't know is that you do not accept limits. You will lift that weight. And if you fail you WILL try again and again until you succeed.
So do it. Go all out. Leave everything in the gym. If you leave the gym and you still have more in the tank you have failed. Leave everything in the gym.
Take it to the limit. Past the point of no return.
If you aren't willing to sweat for it you don't deserve it. If you're willing to die for it it's yours for the taking.
Henry Rollins
Yo VP,
I’ve been training like an animal for 7 years now (I just turned 40). Recently, I severely strained the piriformis and glute on the left side, while dead lifting. The sciatic nerve got involved and it really screwed with my life, simple things like sitting, standing, walking, and sleeping. The intensity of my workouts suffered for 8 weeks. I look the same, but I “feel” like my fitness level dropped a notch or two. I’m healed and back to bringing it now.
Just curious if you’ve had any significant injuries, and what your approach was? I’m guessing you ignored the pain and kept banging the iron! Thanks
Hi Jeff,
I haven’t had any serious injuries, just minor injuries like a bum elbow that kept me out of the gym for three weeks. I did ignore that pain until I couldn’t lift anything at all. Ignoring the pain is a bad idea.
If you aren’t using already, you may want to look into getting a prescription for human growth hormone and testosterone replacement. That will help the workouts and injury prevention.
Good luck.
When I first started out way back I was woefully weak and quite chubby. Getting leaner and leaner & stronger and stronger on a daily basis has to be in the top 2 or top 3 feelings in the world for a man. Glad I found this site, VP, and others who think like me. I got sick of paying for and watching too much tv and did a search for “Spartan”!
You’re absolutely right brother. Best feeling in the world, better than any drug or drink.
Had the same injurynyou had jeff, man did that fuck my training up ,couldn’t squat or deadlift for 3 months plus any sort of bending
Absolutely only way to train, you do need to vary your intensity with deadlifting though, a heavy session every 2-3 weeks to make progress. Doesn’t hurt to up the intensity and go full bore on medium weight from time to time. Heavy iron is great, be mindful of rest when it is needed. I am usually the most intense trainer when I am in the gym, I may not be a big man but I have a great body for my height and am reasonably shredded, no body outrains me.
I don’t know man dead lifting seems bit dangerous I don’t think you should go so heavy on that for starters.
You’re supposed to go heavy on deadlifts. However, if you’re just starting, add 10 pounds every week, you will eventually stall or slow down when you exceed twice your bodyweight.
I did a killer upper body workout last Sunday morning; (now 5 day ago) I was so pumped just right after! The feeling was incredible, I felt powerful … Even better, I still feel pumped from it 5 day after! My skin feels tight on my swollen muscle! This is great! I love killing it in the gym!
It is the only time in the week that, I’m really alone, challenging myself 100%, I find it better than meditation!
Awesome post Victor! I can’t stand people who go to the gym to talk and don’t take image seriously. What’s worst is the men who do lightweights and stay on the same exercises day in and day out. I look for the pain and if I don’t get it I take it. If I wake up sore as hell you can bet I got a big ass smile on my face and I’m headed right back to the gym. I’m now a 220lb 6′ 4″ all muscle Wide Receiver for semi-pro Football. Thanks Vic, you not only helped me change physically but mentally.
Training like an animal is the only way to go Vic. 90% of the gym population does not do this because they are really scared of guys like us. That is why planet fitness came to be. If you watch the commercials for this crappy gym chain you will notice that it mocks guys like us and caters to the sissified losers who exercise and are intimidated by those who “TRAIN” with a purpose. Well said in your article friend.
“Everybody wants to be a beast, until it’s time to do what beasts do!”