To zone out is to disassociate oneself from the current situation and state you find yourself in, where the buzzing, clicking, tapping, moving, and other senses are blocked out by ones dream-like consciousness. I’ve been known to zone out and I’m sure you have too, knowingly or unknowingly. When you’re doing a mundane task that is so second-nature to you, where your hands and feet move with ease and precision, necessary for the task such that you’re body is so connected and your mind is blank to the world around you – you’re zoning out naturally.
When I’m in the gym I find that my best training sessions are just like that. If you’ve decided you want to get into your local gym but have been apprehensive due to the fear of gymtimidation or fears over your body image then read on because in this post I want to help you find your way to your gym element.
Know, the gym is a communal place and once you’ve paid your gym membership you’re welcome to train and the gym manager, staff and gym users want you to visit and train. Your money keeps the lights on, you keep the staff and personal trainers employed which supports homes, the community and society. The gym users will be travelling further away to find a safe training space if the local gym wasn’t in action and thus the health of the area will decline. You are important, what you do in the gym to make the most of your money determines the time it takes to achieve your goal(s).
The haters are gonna hate as the saying goes so don’t spend time thinking about the one, two or crew that seem to be hating on you because you’ll probably be surprised to findout the crew is actually in awe of your determination, dedication to progress and work ethic. Yeah, the gym is a visual place, focused on the physical more than you’d find in a place of prayer or library so you’ll have to get over it if you want to use the specialised equipment designed for the gym setting. You’ve come to better your health and so have the majority of gym members so be patient and say hello to the regulars and try talking to people you’d not usually find the opportunity to talk to – whatever their perceived background, look and so on. For if you look down on others the cycle of apprehension, distrust and aversion repeats itself for further members that may join after you (a reminder to myself before you).
Right, so you’re in the gym and you’ve warmed up, stretched for some time, next up is the main session that you’ve been building yourself up to but you find there’s people using all the equipment you planned to use. Should you leave the gym or come back later? Hopefully there are easily distinguishable personal trainers around that you’d be able to talk to for advice and that advice hasn’t come to that PT over night but through study and even self experimentation i.e. workingout themselves. A PT can coach you for a period of time until you’re ready to fly or you may build a longterm working relationship – however you go, the PT’s can help you build confidence and move your goal forward to a great degree.
Making fitness a part of your lifestyle means you’re willing to dedicate consistent and regular time into your pursuit of good health. So to reduce the feelings of gymtimidation and to help you get into your zone regularly you’ll want to scatter your training times out, through the day and evening to begin with. This is so you can find the sweet spot gym time for you! You may want quiet and calm, early in the morning, or a bit before closing time. Then again, you may want the gym to be rush-hour busy and blend into the mash of heads – if thats good with you then do your grizzly! Just figure out when works best for you day-to-day and week-to-week by journaling how you found your session, your achievement, the time, temperament of the gym and so on.
To zone out you don’t need music and headphones or to look and/or be aggressive to other members. The biggest silverback in the jungle will have a family that they love and love them back, gym users are calm once one removes the screen of alpharism and overconfidence to feel safe. The gym family is an extension of all your other families and networks so be nice. Your courage may be tested in the form of another gym user in need of help from you, someone that has seen how you train and would benefit from you as time progresses. On the point of zoning out almost everytime, you need to be comfortable and this cannot be guaranteed everytime just like the flows of stress outside the gym come and go. Being dedicated to your training will help you feel comfortable with the people and surroundings of your gym – it takes effort and a jump into the unknown to begin with but by visiting the gym and taking a tour before joining you’ll find out if the gym fits your fit (I had to say that).
Growth is in stages and you’ll be pleased you made the effort in years to come. Health is from the greatest of wealth, something we will cry over once its lost. So, do what you do in the gym and make every rep count! Zone out but stay grounded because one great session isn’t the goal but rather a step towards further progress. Journaling will help you recall those great sessions – and if you’re one to train in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu I have a ‘Road to Blackbelt BJJ journal’ available on amazon books. Enough of me its time for you to be the criterion!
Click above to visit amazon books.
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