When I was younger I used to get angry, muster up rage, etc. I don’t do that any more. It’s not necessary, it’s too stressful, it’s probably not healthy.
Nowadays I am more concerned with good form, avoiding injury, enjoying my training (and not trying to get psycho in the gym).
I think of differnt things for differnt exercises. For the bench and squat i just try to focus to use as much muscle as possible. For the rows and pulldowns (right in front of the tread mills) i just stare at the ladies going for a little jog.
I like to listen to some intense music before working out such as the Cro-mags, Harley’s War etc. I like to do some heavy singles at the beginning of each workout to stimulate the CNS and get jacked for trianing. Having a goal at each workout is also important for focus.
I picture finishing the rep with perfect form. I never think for a second that I won’t succeed (even though it has been known to happen). Also, I tend to train at 1pm. I wake up at 5:30am. That means I’ve been thinking about my workout for 7.5 hrs. Damn, I’m already psyched for my next session now.
i go to my ‘happy place’ seriously. i get calm and focused, then grip the bar and squeeze as hard as i can, no matter the exercise. then the adrenaline surges and i usually only remember reracking the weight after the set.
What? Not everybody gets all pissed off before their sets? Man, you guys are too “zen” for me. Personally, I stare in the mirror and say this to myself (in my head):
You ugly motherf#cker, nobody loves you, you will NEVER be anything until you get big and BE somebody. You will never get laid, you will never have a girlfriend, you weak f#cking bastard. NOW DO THIS SHIT!!!
One of the girls I train with asked me a while ago what I was thinking about when I stare into the mirror right before each set, and I said “just stuff”. She’d think I was a psycho (like some of you might now) if I told her the truth. Sometimes lying is good.
I’m with SMF. My gym time is my favorite and I really enjoy it, so by the time I get to the gym I’m ready to kick some ass. I also wear headphones to drown out the piped in estro-music at the commercial gym I go to.