99% Perspiration: Work Ethic in the Gym

If I had a nickel for every time someone approached me seeking the path of least resistance, I would be a wealthy man.  No matter what I say, it is obvious they only want to hear affirmations.  No matter how many glaring blind spots I turn up, they still see only what they want to see.  I've said it before, but it's worth repeating.  Everyone is looking for some magic bullet for what ever it is they want most.  It is important to realize that nothing in this life comes for free and nothing worthy comes at a low price.  The way we go about finding our path to fitness is just like any other endeavor.  You need determination, scientific method, and a bit of luck to find your path.  Here is how some of us do it.


1. Determination - A.K.A. mindset
If you are easy going you might have a better time with life in general, but you will be at a disadvantage in fitness.  Strength training in particular is not for the weak willed.  There appears to be a consensus that endurance sports are the true test of grit.  I believe that perspective comes from the fact that most people can perform most feats of endurance (albeit not to the same level as the pros) due to the general lack of intensity.  This is not the case with most strength feats.  There are few people who can perform flag poles, one-arm pull ups, 500+lbs bar movements, or tear a phone book in half.  The bar is literally set too high and it takes an obsessive type of mindset combined with infinite patience to aspire to do something when you can't even perform a single repetition.

2. Scientific method - A.K.A. logic
Not everyone has an analytical mind; even those who pride themselves on having one.  
You don't need to have been born an analytical type if you can grasp and continually use the basic steps needed to always come to the logical conclusion of your queries.

Here are the steps:

A. Define your question.  
No one can answer your question if it doesn't make sense; not even you.  Boil it down to it's bare essentials.
B. Do the research.
Please don't only use your favorite website or magazine.  These entities are in business to sell copy so they sometimes have a conflict of interest when it comes to giving out the absolute best information.  They print what sells and you should always use multiple sources for research. 
C. Develop your hypothesis.
What do you think the answer will be?
D. Test your hypothesis.
Plan your training to test your hypothesis.  Try to only test one or two things at a time or this will be a nightmare.
E. Analyze your data and draw your conclusion.
Test for a few weeks and see what you get.  What you find out might be a shock or exactly what you expected.  You document and build from there.

Fortunately, you don't have to do this for everything, but you will need to do this some time.  If you get used to figuring out your problems this way, you become fairly independent early in your life.   

3. Luck
There are times you'll make all the right decisions, but lose your job or become ill.  Usually, there is little we can do but patiently work to overcome these life events.  They will be obstacles in your path to fitness, but you cannot use them as an excuse.  I've met veterans in wheel chairs who possess incredible fortitude and train every day from their wheel chair.  One gentleman's arms look like coiled steel and would be the envy of many natural body builders.  The point is you work with what life gives you or throws at you; no excuses.
        
So if you meet someone that might have answers you crave, make sure your cup is empty before you ask to have it filled.  Be sure to have the patience and determination to attain the goal you seek.  Use logical methods to get you closer one step at a time and stay strong.

Rolando Manso