The Others - Dave Tate

[LtL]

EliteFTS - Superior Products and Knowledge for Lifters, Athletes, Coaches, and Trainers

This sums up a lot of how I feel about training, more so the part about wanting to not be like the others. The work that I do in the gym makes me feel different. I carry a confidence that comes from setting targets and then smashing them. I like being different in that way.

LtL

[BendtheBar]

Dave Tate:

I will not be as "others"

Came into work today the same as I have any other day over the past month, to much to do and not enough time. I do however get the most important shit done and that's all that matters.

I made my way into Jim's office and he stated "Not training again today". Maybe he noticed I was wearing my "good" t-shirt and sweat pants and took this as a clue.

It took me about 2 seconds to tell him "nope, just not my thing right now"

He then told me that this "was" my thing.

I had to think for a minute then got what he was saying.

This is the thing when you speak to someone with a zillon.5 IQ. You need to stop and think sometimes because much it meant when little is said.

What he was saying is that I do not know how to "workout" and may have never "worked out" in my life. What I do is "train" and there is a difference.

I am writing this because most who read this site "train" and do not "workout". We who "train" are not as "others" who just go to the gym and do their thing. Our rules are pretty damn simple and we always manage to get the job done better than the "others" .

We design our programs on torn off pieces of cardboard we find in the back of the gym.

We know the golden rule to success is busting our asses into the ground.

We make training such a high priority that life becomes scheduled around it.

We understand weak points are developed from NOT doing the shit we do not like to do - so we do it.

We love it when the set gets hard and the weight get heavy.

We don't watch the clock - we are done when we get done.

We understand this shit is supposed to be hard and the road will not be easy and figure - so be it.

We may read all the training science and logic but always resort back to the same damn thing that has always worked - busting our asses.

Pain is measured by lack of progress not injuries.

We think about training when we get up in the morning and when we go to bed at night.

We love the sound of another plate being slapped on the bar, or the thud of dumbbells hitting the ground.

The gym is our place to do what we do, not wish about what we could be.

We know when to turn it on and when....

to turn it off.

I am in one of the "off" phases and unless I am going to go in the gym and bust my ass 100% then I am not going. To me it is freaking pointless. I would rather give 100% to something else at this time then give 50% in the gym.

I refuse to give 50% in the gym because this is what "others" do and I ****ing refuse to be like that, ever!

I had to give up many things in my training over the years but I will not give up busting my ass and be like every other lazy ass person who goes in the gym and gives a half ass effort. Worse yet, being in the industry, making my living in the industry and living a lie training like a half piece of shit. You can quote me on this one. The day I can no longer "train" and bust my ass in the gym with passion will be the same day I will remove myself from this industry.

Training to me deserves respect and not half ass efforts. I train not as much for the process as I do for the result. I will do what I have to do to get the results I am looking for. If it means I have to train 4 hours per day - so be it. If it means I have to train every day of the week - so be it. If it means whatever, then so be it. I will do what I gotta do when I have to do it. This is training to me. Training is about busting your ass for something others avoid because the road is too hard. Working out is an activity - a verb. Training is more than a verb. It is a way of life.

To give my training the respect it deserves I recharge and will return when I feel ready to go all out. To me working out is not an option. This is what "others" do and I will resist this with all I have.

I train and train my ass off because this is what I do. This is the life I choose and the decision I made. I am not in this to be like "others". I am in this to push myself to places I have not been before - to push the edge. I will never get to see what is over the edge by "working out". I will never find what I seek by the number of "workouts" I get in or how long I can do cardio for. I will never be satisfied with the same results anyone else can get. I am not the guy to show you how to "workout". I am not the one who can help you take the first step. I am not the one to motivate you to begin.

I could care less about this.

Hell, I have not trained people in years. I post this log so you can see what it takes for me to get the results I do (or not). I post this so you know you are not alone in your passion. I know what it is like to be surrounded by "others". I know what it feels like when everyone is on your ass about "what you do". I know what it feels like when NOBODY understands. I know how it feels to think life is what happens in the gym and everything else is just intermission. Trust me. I know. We are not alone in our passion yet it seems so. So for the other two people out there - know I am with you.

I train because it is what keeps me from being like the rest. Training is my way to not be like the "others". I am not writing this to try and change the world but so the world does not change me - it is that simple.

Okay, I just made a huge post in an attempt to make an excuse for not training. But, I have never hidden that fact that I have two speeds - blast and dust. That's it and that is the way I am. In time you will see me blasting again, just not yet.

[BendtheBar]

Good read. Have to say this is my favorite quote of the article:

We may read all the training science and logic but always resort back to the same damn thing that has always worked - busting our asses.

[Carl1174]

Awesome post.

I go to th gym and enjoy being different to 90% of the idiots in there. I relish the weird looks whilst Im doing snatch grip high pulls or people that wonder why i seem to 'always be doing legs'...

There are not many of use around that train and that suits me fine, if people want to work out and go to the gym, give 50%, get nowhere, but feel good about themselves for going thats fine. Personally Id rather give blood, sweat and tears, rip up my hands and shins and crawl out of the gym on my knees, puking on the way.

My training may not be classed as normal, it may not be sane, but I love it that way and when its not like that anymore than it will time to hang up my tatty old joggers and retire my 11 year old adidas campus.

Until then I plan on SHFW for as long as I can

Carl.

[BendtheBar]

Training made simple:

One more rep.

[LtL]

Great and heartfelt post Carl.

Even though I'm not competing for a long time, I have numbers I want to hit and I know that I need to push hard to get there. This makes training hard an easy thing to do. I know that I have to in order to hit my goals. The thing is, even when I stop competing, I will still have goals. I just don't know what they are yet. That's just the way I am.

LtL