“Comfort Zone” Training

Today as I was reflecting on all of the athletes we train at 368, I began thinking about what it is that allows them to perform at such a high level. Athletes with personal trainers, strength coaches, or whatever you would like to call us, generally perform at a higher level than those who don’t. This is simply how it is in almost every sport. But the question I kept pondering on was what about having a trainer is it that propels an athlete to that next level…

• Correct program design (correct exercises, sets, repetition, ect.)
• Being taught proper form and technique
• Modifications based on athletes current circumstances

These are three things a strength coach does for an athlete that are all very important to his/her success, but the one thing that any effective trainer does for an athlete is pushing them OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE!

In regards to mind-body training, the only way to continuously get better is to push your body to it’s threshold, and your mind past it (out of your mental comfort zone). Whether you are talking about another rep, more weight, or more time for an exercise, your body, at that time, can only handle what it can physically handle. Sounds like common sense, right? There is more to it…

Your mind has unbelievable control over your body, and what it wants or THINKS your body can do. If you allow yourself to THINK that one more repetition can’t be done, or 10 more seconds is too long, than you have voluntarily given up, even if your body could physically go further. Everyone knows that having someone there verbally supporting you will generally give you that push you need to go a little further…but a personal trainer, or strength coach, is not the only answer.

If you train your mind to perform just one or two more repetition, even though your body FEELS like it can’t, and do this every single time you train, you will begin to experience the benefits of “comfort zone” training. I can guarantee your strength will never plateau, and your endurance (strength and cardiovascular) will continuously increase. Above all training and sport related benefits, you will be strengthening and preparing your mind to triumph over any of life’s many obstacles.

Here are a few quotes to reflect on…

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
– T.S. Eliot

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
– Andre Gide

*”Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”

-Newt Gingrich

Train out of your comfort zone now, reap the benefits later…

Andrew Simpson
368 Athletics