Hello all...

Just have a quick question before I leave for the gym. Do any of you guys have any techniques that you use and can recommend to control and tolerate the pain that you experience so that you can have a great workout. FYI im not talking about the pain that can get you injured, but the stress you get from a great set when you really push yourself.

Looking forward to your answers.

I don't HURT when I push myself. I feel weak and tired, but I don't HURT. If you have pain, then I'm going to guess something is wrong.

yeah ok...I probably didnt clarify it enough--I dont mean pain, but the stress and strain that you get on your muscles when you're deep into a set--and how do you mentally push yourself through that to get a good set.

I like to focus on all the negative people in my life. I imagine that each rep makes me stronger and more powerful. Music is good for me too. I've seen people with noise cancelling head phones too. Helps focus completely.


Celadus

I've grown to love that feeling...Music is always a plus for me

Knowing that if I push myself beyond my physical limits that much more, than I will be a stronger person afterwards both physically and mentally.
Knowing that any other ordinary person would quit, but I have the strength and will power to keep pushing even though my body is telling me to stop.

You'll learn to love the "burn", and actually look forward to it. I know I do.

You have two options here where one is the opposite of the other:

o) Totally concentrate on the lift, the pain involved, every muscle used in the exercise. Empty your head from all other thoughts and just go through it. Maybe you actually enjoy it.

o) Distract yourself with music, thinking happy thoughts etc.

Think about fight club, the scene where Tyler uses the stuff on the other guy's hand, causing an extremely painful chemical reaction. First he tries to distract himself from the pain as he learned in the self help groups, but Tyler forces him to totally concentrate on the pain, to live within it.

Note I am not telling you which option is better for you! Both can work for different people.

It's mostly about mindset. Some days I'm just not into my gym routine and I have difficulty lifting, and sometimes have to cut my reps short.

Other times I get totally fired up. I focus on something that motivates me - either the negative people in my life, as Celadus said, or sometimes I'll use the thought of a girl to motivate me. Both work exceptionally well for me.

Basically, you need to focus on your emotional trigger, which is something I covered more comprehensively here: http://www.sosuave.net/forum/showthread.php?t=109409

If I have the right mindset, I am like an animal and I just keep pushing myself and keep buzzing for more. Any pain or strain is just part of the challenge!