High intensity training is not for the faint hearted. It takes discipline, determination and focus to create an extremely effective, intense workout. And when you do it, you will suddenly realise that exercise is far more involved than just “going for a run” or “lifting weights”.
It’s no wonder why athletes have sports psychologists to calibrate their mind to produce maximum output during a race. For, it doesn’t matter how fit you are, if your mindset isn’t in check, you will not be able to produce amazing results.
Intense training, whilst extremely effective, is really tough going! The first time you attempt a really full-on workout, you will be utterly shattered upon the conclusion of that exercise session. Whilst that may be seen as a downside, as far as I am concerned, this is a huge advantage of high intensity training. For we learn best when we are faced with a challenge. In this case, a mental challenge.
You see, when you do push yourself to your physical limits, your mind begins to tell you such things as:
- Slow down, I’m tired
- Ouch, my legs are sore, give me a break
- This is too hard!!
- Don’t worry about giving it 100% now, you can always make up for this workout at a later date
- I’d much rather be lying down at home right now
And it will come as no surprise that you can be really effective at convincing yourself to do exactly the opposite of what you initially set out to do. It’s as if there is an angel and a devil on either shoulder, so to speak.
One major benefit that is often overlooked is the mental discipline it requires to flick that “devil” off your shoulder. Even though your body is screaming out at you to “STOP!”, you have enough mental toughness to push through that pain barrier. Not only will you obtain maximal physiological benefits, but the psychological benefits of this approach is extremely profound.
If you have the ability to control your emotions in such an extreme circumstance, how is this going to affect your day-to-day life? What if you are placed in a highly stressed situation? What if you are extremely frustrated? Chances are, you will be able to control yourself with the benefits attained from constantly testing your psychological extremities with high intensity training.
I have written a more comprehensive article on this topic that you may be interested in reading, The Psychological Benefits of Bodybuilding.
With all intense training, it is always imperative to first ensure that it is safe to do so. So always consult a doctor prior to initiating an exercise regime.
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