MuscleCircuit.com

Ever thought of using a supplement or caffeine to pump up your work out?

I can understand why, it can be pretty difficult to push yourself on every last rep on every set, day after day. However, If you answered yes, you definitely need to freshen up on more powerful ways to boost your energy in the gym. Check out the following tips:

1. Have someone motivate you

This is probably the most powerful way to push out those last reps. Have a workout partner or anybody verbally motivate you during your workout. Screaming isn’t exactly necessary but you’ll be amazed at how much it helps to have someone else pushing you. Check out one of my favorite videos for the perfect example of two real workout partners and how they push one another.

2. Alter your counting

Instead of counting 1 to 10 in order, when you start to struggle - reset the count. Example: Say for a 10 rep set I begin to struggle at rep 6, instead of counting 7-10 to finish the set, I’ll use the numbers 1-4.

The full count would look like this: 1-2-3-4-5-6-1-2-3-4.

Switching to lower numbers has in interesting impact and can help push you to finish strong.

3. Visualize the muscle contracting

Here’s an easy technique to get your mind off the pain, and focus on what really matters - your muscles! By thinking about the muscle your working, you’ll naturally focus more on squeezing the muscle. By squeezing the muscle, it promotes better technique because your not focusing on the movement of the workout - but the actual muscle itself. This works best with isolation workouts but still is very useful for big compound movements too.

4. Wear the Right Gear

As silly as it sounds, wearing the right clothes to the gym has two big advantages. First, it lets you focus more on training and less on fiddling with your clothes or causing discomfort. Baggy pants or super tight t-shirts are distracting for me. Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t get in the way.

Secondly, wear something that makes you feel more confident. It could be a t-shirt or a tank top that accents something on your body that you really like (or hide something you don’t). It’s important to feel good when you work out, so start by feeling good about how you look.

5. Listen to Music

Use music to your advantage. You’ll be amazed at how much more energy you’ll have when you’re listening to a good, fast-paced tune. Check out the Apple iPod shuffle for a cheap, durable mp3 player you can take anywhere.

6. Try a New Supplement

When you try a new supplement, you often walk into the gym with a more positive attitude because you’re “testing” to see how it benefits your workout. Harness that mental benefit by trying a new creatine or pre-workout supplement. Whether the supplement you take works or not, you will reap the mental benefits and maybe find something that gives you an extra edge.

7. Come Mentally Prepared

Arnold Schwarzenegger, my favorite bodybuilder , talks more about the power of the mind than anything else in his bodybuilding books, and for good reason. When you’re struggling to push out those last few reps, it’s your mind that fails first, not your muscles. Come prepared by focusing and thinking about your workout 30 minutes before you train.

Try ‘em Out

Pick one or two of these techniques and test them out. Trial and error on your own body and mind will prove to be the only way to test anything to be effective. Before you go off and use these techniques, be sure to understand that training to failure can be rather harmful if done carelessly. Injuries and overtraining are much more likely when you push yourself to your limits everyday. So use common sense and be smart about it.