Today we’ll find out just how intense you are when you train and what you can start doing to take your workouts to the next level.

Intensity is probably the most misunderstood part of training.  A common misconception is: in order for one to truly be intense he must display loud, aggressive behaviour in the gym. In my experience however that’s not it at all. The true meaning of intensity is when you focus enough in order to generate maximum output in the gym. It comes from going the extra mile and not stopping when it hurts.Not ego lifting.

Looking intense and being intense are two different things. So today I’ve put together a list of four key tips to an intense workout that many people don’t think about, and you should start implementing today!

Clean up your diet

Like a car, as humans we also run on fuel. A balanced diet can make or break your progress. Without good food to train, recover or even focus there’s no way to your muscles are truly getting the most out of your workouts. It’s in the 2 days after training where you eat, sleep and recover that you grow.Not the workout itself. So make sure your diets on point so that you can give your 110%.

Eliminate all distractions

Distractions are the number one killers of a great workout. Your mind should never think past your next set, and you need to maintain focus at all times. A simple way to achieve this is to write down your workout beforehand. That way you know what exercise to do next without having to think. You should also limit the amount of times you get up between sets. Unless you’re sharing a machine stay seated until your next set. You’re less likely to talk to people this way and it limits the amount of times you wander off. Another great way to maintain focus is to make a playlist of songs and leave them on throughout your workout.

Take your time

Proper form in probably the most important tip of all! Many inexperienced lifters make the rookie mistake of using too much weight with incorrect form. The rule of thumb for every exercise is:  If you can’t do more than 8 it’s too heavy, if you can do more than 15 it’s too light. Somewhere in the middle is the weight that’s right for you. The goal while training is to generate enough force to break down muscle tissue. In order to do that you’re better of using weight you can handle comfortably with proper form.

At the end of the day the journey you take in the gym is all trial and error, and the mistakes you make will ultimately lead to a better physique. As long as you stay committed to your goals, continue to make progress, and be patient; you will have the physique you’ve always wanted.  So get up and get started on building a better you today!