7 Ways To Intensify Your Workout

Recently we gave you 7 ways to intensify your life, because, hey… we all want to have a fulfilling, exciting life and we all want to have fulfilling, exciting training as well. It’s easy to get stuck in a doldrum and have your workouts be sub-par in either intensity or results. Here are seven ways to help make sure that they stay in high gear.


1. Come to it prepared. The modern training world is very effected by the idea of the athlete in training. For the most part this has been great, but in some ways it has made us soft. I do much of the time treat my training like an athlete, however I don’t want to overdo it. I want to balance it with the same mindset as the workman and the warrior. Being ready at all times and ready to get the job done despite imperfect conditions. This however is a thought for another newsletter. To make the most of your workouts and to feel your best during them, you need to come to them physically prepared (as is possible within reason). That means well rested, well fed, well hydrated, and with as little other distraction as possible.

2. Develop a Mental Ritual. You can condition your mind so that whenever you start your workout you’re literally always in the zone. Even within that you may experience some higher peaks than others, but you can get there if you make it a habit. An easy way to do this is developing a ritual or using the “light switch” technique. Pick something that you do before your workout, maybe a song or particular hat you wear or the way you change your shoes or whatever the case may be. Do that thing the same way all of the time and constantly associate that with flipping a mental switch into ultimate motivation and concentration. Do it long enough and you won’t even need the switch you’ll be able to do it at will. All the great strength people can do this.

3. Use Consistent Variety. This is one of the most powerful tools for your workout. Almost everybody likes variety, but the truth is your body and mind need balance. You need to have something that is a consistent test of your strength and endurance that you work on, on a regular basis to gauge progress and give your body consistent stimulation. By picking those particular exercises that are your measuring sticks, you literally always remain consistent in their training. From there allow yourself the freedom to experiment with other types of training so that your body and mind are constantly receiving a new stimulus along with the consistent ones.

4. Use the Things you Enjoy. I advocate specific exercises for specific purposes. Everybody who writes for this physical culture stuff does. And for the most part they fall within similar recommendations (at least the hardcore crew does). Why? Because squats, presses, pulls and high rep endurance work and strongman training really does do the job. But you’ve got to think for yourself some. You do need to perform the basics and do them regularly, but you get to choose which ones you DO perform and you should choose the ones that make you happy and feel good to you. The more you like the exercise you’re doing the greater intensity you’ll apply, the greater the workout you’ll have. You may have to develop an affinity for an exercise, but you can pick that variation of the exercise you like best, because in the long run you’ll get the best results from that.

5. Change Your Environment or Playmates. Stimulus. Any new stimulus can help push your workout to a higher new level. Maybe you get a new toy, a gripper, or rope, or strongman implement or what have you. This creates instant new intensity because it’s brand new to play with. Maybe you just go take a guest workout at a new gym. Being around people can be a great workout stimulus. Or you train with a new partner occasionally, or a new group. Or maybe you get a new book and try new routines. Adding to your environment will add to your intensity.

6. Reverse The Order. You want to make things radically hard and intense? Reverse the order of your normal workout. It’s a great way to crank things up. Do you do it all the time? No, but it’s a great kick in the butt occasionally. Do your endurance work first and then do your heavy work. Or do your isolation work first and then do your compound work. There are a lot of other games you can play within the way your workout to keep it interesting, but stay on task for getting your goals accomplished.

7. Get Outside Yourself. I think everybody who does serious workouts and jacks their hormone level up through that stimulation occasionally wants to… howl at the moon so to speak. To tap into deep primal feelings and express them physically in your workout. To go beyond the head knowledge of what you’re doing and tap into those things that are not correct to express in polite society. Passion. Power. Dominance. Extremism. The more emotional connection you have to your training the greater you’re likely to attack it with real barbaric effort. Does that mean you have to scream and act like a wild man? No, but whether you’re reserved or ostentatious, you can tap into you inner wild man. Doing that can take you to the next level of power.


I hope you’re out there having great workouts. Workouts that you enjoy, that breathe with intensity, teach you about yourself, and make you better.