“The iron never lies to you. You can walk outside and listen to all kinds of talk, get told you’re a god or a total bastard. The iron will always kick you the real deal. The iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black, I have found the iron to be my best friend. It never runs out on me, never freaks out. Friends come and go but 200 pounds is always going to be 200 pounds.”
This is a classic quote from straight-shooter Henry Rollins. And it quite well sums up how I feel about training in general.
I love the weights.
I mean, really love them.
Regardless of how miserable I may feel physically during an intense (or insane) workout, at the very same time I’ve never felt better. I am in complete control of how hard I push myself. And I am fully aware if I gave my best effort or not. It’s just me and the iron.
It’s hard to put into words.
When others come into the gym to train I can’t believe how many look for the “easy” route. I find it hard to fathom the idea of not wanting to bust your tail everytime. Not wanting to get better, whatever that may mean to you.
My love for training goes beyond getting “in-shape”. I don’t know any other way about it.
I’ve heard of athletes who don’t enjoy lifting weights but do so to gain benefit their respective sport. And because their passion lies in the sport, and not the weightlifting, I’m ok with that. They’re still pursuing something with the best they have to offer. But sport is what directed me to training…and I’ve been smitten ever since.
I trained with my beast crew partners yesterday morning and we had a great bench press and upper body session. That was my valentine’s date. My day was made in that 90 minutes. No roses or chocolates or cheesy cards. Nothing outside of the weightroom matters when we’re training. All is well with the world when the iron is in my hands.
(And on a related note, my hands are callused like crazy…and I love it. If you run into a “trainer” with no calluses, no scrapes, no bruises…they probably won’t be getting you strong anytime soon. Would you listen to a broke financial advisor?)
Find someone who’s done what you want to do and follow their lead. Find people and training partners with the same goals and are doing what you want to do. Dig down deep and find something inside of you that wants to go beyond mediocre.
DO SOMETHING!
Being fat, out of shape, sick and average is easy. Being strong and healthy and vibrant takes some work. Accept it and get used to it.
Don’t settle for average.
Don’t settle for fat, out of shape, and sick.
No one is going to improve your life but you.
Make the most of your time. Make the most of your talents. Make the most of your treasure.
Very inspirational words, Sim. I sometimes get caught in just going through the motions because most of our workouts are very taxing. I love this part:
“Being fat, out of shape, sick and average is easy. Being strong and healthy and vibrant takes some work. Accept it and get used to it.
Don’t settle for average.
Don’t settle for fat, out of shape, and sick.
No one is going to improve your life but you.
Make the most of your time. Make the most of your talents. Make the most of your treasure.”
Remind me of that next time you see me dogging ok? Thanks for being such a great motivator and trainer.
Thank you Todd. You and everyone else willing to push themselves helps motivate ME!