How to Get Better Results From Visualizing Your Workouts

I recently wrote about My 7 Personal Principles of Training. Here I’d like to talk a little more in detail about each one. I hope you get something out of it. If so, let me know in the comments below.

In the last principle, we talked about how disconnecting from your day can have a profound effect on your training progress. How it can set you up for success. Now, these principles aren’t actual tactics for reaching your goals. They are, however, tools to set you up for reaching your goals. The effort is still required along with sound training and nutrition plans, but they can be a catalyst toward your ultimate goal.

Here, visualization will be your weapon for better results. As with clearing your mind, visualizing your workout (which I mentioned in the last post) can be a powerful ally. It’s something that many lifters lack in their routine. Most will just show up with no plan and randomly pick an exercise or two to get started and go through the motions. Their workouts are arbitrarily piecemealed together without reason or serious consideration much less a vision of how it will all be put into action.

Let’s break down a few things to consider.

1. Keep your goal at the front of your mind. Having a million thoughts swimming around in your brain doesn’t bode well if your goal is to gain strength, build muscle, and/or lose body fat. For that one hour, visualize your goal no matter how routine or repetitive it can feel. The more you think about it, the more every action in your workout will build towards it.
2. Think of your plan. You have a plan in place so don’t just go through the motions. Listen to your body and learn from every trip to the gym. Do some things need adjusting? What’s working well?
3. Visualize exercises, sets, and reps. Literally, (yes, I mean it) visualize yourself performing the exercise before you do it. Mentally picture correct form, contracting the targeted muscle, and utilizing the perfect technique. Ask yourself if you need to change anything or adjust something that doesn’t quite feel right.
4. Think of how you’ll feel during training. This is a powerful one. Don’t be one of those sorry saps who dread training (or, more specifically leg day!). Be positive. Show enthusiasm, and look forward to your next workout, the next set, and even the very next rep. Think of how powerful, energetic, and awesome you’ll feel once you’ve conquered yet another great training session.
5. Keep success at the center of what you think about. With all the above said, you’ll eventually build a success-oriented mindset. With every new workout, you’ll build mental strength and stamina and start to treat each workout as an actual step forward toward your goal.

Harness the power of visualization.

We can’t think of visualization without something to quote!

It’s easier for the body to accomplish, what the mind has already experienced.

Greg Merritt

Do you have a visualization technique you use? Let me know in the comments.

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Here are all the posts related to the 7 Principles of Training:

My 7 Personal Principles of Training
Clear Your Mind Before Your Workout
How to Get Better Results From Visualizing Your Workouts
Get the Most From Your Training: Go to Work in the Gym
What’s the Right Amount of Weight to Use in My Workout
Water and Workouts: Your Overlooked Tool for Better Results
How to Modify Your Workouts to Avoid a Plateau
3 Keys to Workout Longevity