Imagine a soldier, carrying a heavy rucksack over hundreds of kilometers. Then picture yourself, worrying about whether you’ll be able to carry that heavy gym bag to your car after leg day.

What makes the difference between a well-built citizen and a battle-hardened soldier, and between someone who runs for fun and professional runners? What separates every wannabe bodybuilder from the competitors at bodybuilding events?

Well, the simple answer is – Mental Strength. Here are 3 exercises that will help you bridge the gap.

Exercise #1: Get Rid Of Those Headphones

Or step out of your air-conditioned, made-for-working-out gym. Do whatever it takes to get yourself out of your comfort zone.

This forces you to develop a mental toughness you might never know you had. When you take away your fist-pumping music, workout partners or co-runners who motivate you, and a gym environment, you’re left with this: it’s you vs. your thoughts which may just be telling you to give up and go home.

Bring yourself out of your comfort zone, and you have no choice but to toughen up on the inside.

Exercise #2: Stop Sweating Over Things You Can’t Control

Stoic: (n.) A person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining

Imagine going on a crowded bus ride: you get on, and are greeted by uncomfortable crowding, sweaty people, smells, loud arguments, and heavy jolts. But you stay on because of one reason: you need to get to your destination. You ignore all the other stuff that comes with the bus ride.

We need to implement an attitude like this when we work on our fitness. If you’re distracted/discouraged by every obstacle that stands in your way, physical fitness is going to be quite hard to achieve.

Exercise #3: Learn To Visualize

Visualization is a powerful tool.

Some bodybuilders and ‘strongman’ athletes picture themselves completing a set even before they lay a powder-coated hand on the barbell. It helps them get through the grind a little easier.

With visualization, you can get creative: some athletes picture their loved ones coming to harm if they don’t complete a particular task they set for themselves. It doesn’t matter what you visualize, so long as it helps you get your task done.

With these techniques in hand, you’ll learn to push a little harder, lift a little heavier, and run a little harder. By developing mental resilience, you can push yourself to the next (physical) level.

References:

http://www.mensfitness.com/training/build-muscle/mental-toughness-training

https://strategicathlete.com/6-exercises-improving-mental-toughness/