Pre Workout

Pre Workout: Get ready to train!

We all have our own pre workout rituals--individual ways of getting ready for a training session.  I'll give you some suggestions based on my personal experience of 20+ years of lifting weights.

Workout Plan:

You need to have some kind of well-designed training plan if you are going to the gym.  I'd recommend something like Vince Delmonte's No-Nonsense Muscle Building if you are relatively new to training or if you are a "hardgainer" (skinny guy). 

Bear with me while I repeat a rant I've made before: a lot of guys will think nothing of spending 200 buck on (worthless) supplements but won't spend half of that to buy a decent training program--this is backwards!  A good training program is a worthwhile investment.

Pre Workout Supplements:

Let me say this since I've already mentioned supplements: you really don't need to take any particular supplement before you train.   You'd do just as well to take a (cheap) caffeine pill (or cup of coffee) if you need an extra boost--caffeine is the active ingredient in most of these supplements anyway.


Meal:

I'll give you a few guidelines for what to eat before training:

1.  A good mixture of protein, carbohydrates, and fats will give you sustained energy.

2. The ratio of protein/carbs/fats that are most effective will vary from person to person.  Too many carbs make me lethargic, so I go higher on protein and healthy fats.

3.  The larger the meal, the longer you'll have to wait before training.  I do better with a light meal a couple of hours before training, but you'll have to see what works for you.

Keep these three things in mind, but don't over-think things. 

Water:

My Ice Water Bottle

Bring water (or a water bottle) and stay hydrated.  What I usually do is take a 1.5 liter bottle of water and freeze about a 1/4 of it.  I'll fill it the rest of the way with water right before going to the gym.  This is very helpful if your gym doesn't have a water fountain.

Equipment:

Here are a few things I bring with me to the gym:

1. Towel: to wipe the sweat off myself and the equipment I use.
2. Gym Chalk: for grip (not all gyms allow it).
3. Weight lifting belt: only for heavy squats/deadlifts.
 

Music:

Loading your MP3 player with the right music can keep you pumped through your workout.  I like the iPod Shuffle because you can clip it to your clothes.  I tend to listen to music that is hard-hitting, loud, and angry (techno, heavy metal, etc). 

So there you have it: some pre workout tips. Train hard and train smart.