Are you willing to do what it takes
Brought to you by Ultimate Stair Exercises
Here’s a question that I recently addressed:
Hello Virgil. Recently you wrote that people should not use cell phones, MP3 players or read when they exercise. My question for you then is If using a cell phone, an MP3 player or reading the paper can motivate someone to exercise or at
least help them get through a workout then why are you so against that?
First of all thank you for your question and here goes:
In a perfect scenario I’d always like someone to exercise with as much focus on themselves and what they are doing. If you are reading the paper, watching TV or listening to music then you can’t possibly be focused. For those people that feel they need to read, watch TV or talk on the phone to get them through a workout then exercising might not be the priority you think it is.
Also I’m not against it to the point that I would never do it (at least the MP3 player part). Some people simply like to watch TV, read the paper, or talk while they exercise and if it gets them to exercise then that is a good thing.
I personally don’t train anyone who is not willing to be totally focused: In fact before anyone trains with me they must adhere to strict rules that will ensure their success:
People I train understand not to come late, miss workouts, and not to bring their cell phones or a listening device. Watching TV or reading the paper is not even a thought. Many times we barely speak because they are totally focused on the task at hand.
Funny thing is I actually had one woman not train with me because she would not agree to my NO CELL PHONE rule. Did she get the results she desired from training on her own? NO! Was it because she used her cell phone too much? Maybe, maybe not.
And the biggest problem with all these distractions is that it sets your program up for failure in the long run. In the beginning when your workouts are very easy progress will be okay because these distractions won’t keep you from doing your workout. But what happens when you need to take it up a notch. At some point your workouts must get harder in order for you to achieve the results you truly desire. At that point you have to say good bye to these distractions because you simply can’t exercise at result producing levels with all these distractions.
Are you going to be willing to put these distractions aside or be a hostage to them?
That is the question you have to ask of yourself.
As Always
Best In Strength & Health
Virgil 
I’ve been reading along for a while now. I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work.
Thanks Eric
I *always* listen to an MP3 player when I exercise. If I were working with a trainer, I of course would not use an MP3 player as I would want to absorb everything I could from the trainer (but at my gym, they charge so much for sessions with trainers that I can’t consider doing that for more than one or two sessions every year). I do not listen to music on my MP3 player, I listen to audio books. If I could not do that, there is simply no way I could make myself do gym workouts. Not because I don’t like physical effort, but because I don’t like to get mentally bored and physical workouts are just not that mentally stimulating, let’s face it. Even though I listen to audio books, I am concentrating on what my body is doing and pushing myself, ever increasing the efforts I am exerting. This approach is definitely working for me. In the last year I have lost 20 pounds (current BMI: 22.5) and have gained quite a but of muscle mass. If I had abandoned my MP3 player, I would have stopped exercising and none of that progress would have happened. I admit it is a crutch. In a perfect world, I would have a perfect mind that could not get bored and I would pay 100% attention to what I am doing physically when I work out. But in the real world, no MP3 listening = no consistent exercising. Even though I listen to books on MP3, I am paying much more than 50% of my attention to what my body is doing. This means I cannot give as much attention as I should to the book I’m listening to, but enough to understand, for example, Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment which I listened to while at the gym last October.
Great response Tim and thanks for sharing.
The MP3 seems to be the one time thing that gets by in my book.
I personally use one sometimes myself. And I’m aware that a lot of people use audio books these days which is a great idea. I happen to use my MP3 with a great meditation program by HoloThink.
But I will say this for those that read the paper and watch TV. What happens when the workouts get tough. Are you willing to put those aside and get busy?
For optimal results I hope the answer is YES!
Thanks again Tim
Well i find it kinda hard to read and squat at the same time,lol.I have no problem with my focus listening to music while i train.As for the clients i train well if they can’t hear me cue them then thats another problem,they should be totally focused on me during the session.
Reading and squatting huh. LOL!
I can’t wait to see that one
Thanks for sharing Keith
hi.. i totally agree with you. if i’m in the gym/training.. the only thing i focus is on my training… no tv, no cell, no mp3.. i train hard during the 30-45mins.. and get done with it. THEN.. i can enjoy those things.. that’s how I’ve been.
check my before and after from my blog http://longliveandprosper.blogspot.com
Sher Khan.
Malaysia.
Thanks a bunch for sharing Sher.
Amazing video showing your transformation!
Congratulations my friend!
Your focus is a big reason you have succeeded.
Keep it up!
Virgil
Virgil, are you saying you do HoloThink while you work out sometimes? Interesting idea. I use a similar program, HoloSync, but only in sitting meditation. Bill Harris who created HoloSync always says not to do anything else while meditating. Do you find that the brain entrainment thing really happens for you with HoloThink? Can you feel results? (I sometimes can with HoloSync but not always). Would you seriously recommend HoloThink to others?
Hey Tim.
My mistake.
I actually use the HoloThink Program to meditate as well and not while I exercise.
I have tried it though but certainly think it’s best done sitting, lying down or even in standing meditation.
I also love using it in the sauna
I love the program and also ordered the free version of HoloSync. I do like the idea of Holo Sync becoming adaptable to you as you move through the program.
I may get it for that reason alone.
The sounds are different though as you will see.
Can I recommend it someone?
I do but more for people to try for themselves and see it works for them.
I also love using the program from the Focus & Insight Programs I ordered from Mercola.com
Thanks Tim
I also have the Focus & Insight Programs. So far they don’t seem as powerful as HoloSync to me. I’ll have to give HoloThink a try, though. Thanks for letting me know about it. And thanks so much for your exercise advice. I read everything I get from you carefully and I really believe in the intense-burst-of-exercise, or interval, approach, whether using stairs or anything else. I also walk at a stiff but steady pace a lot simply because I love walking and being outdoors, and I prefer doing store chores via foot rather than burning gasoline. I doubt walking does as much good as intervals, but I have to think it does some good. And the stores I often walk to are 3 to 4 miles from home, so I am getting a lot of moderate exercise in in addition to interval training at the gym (and on any sets of stairs I can find!).
Thanks again Tim and I’ll keep writing as long as I continue to learn
And continue to walk and so high intensity stuff as the body is meant to both.
I’ll share what I think of the Holo Sync program.
Have you gotten up to the customized portion of it?
Curious to know about it
Yes, I got all the levels but am listening to level 4. When I take the time to do it, it has a big effect. But that hour a day is hard to find! I’m not sure if the personalized subliminal messages do much – but how would I really know? I think most of the effect is from the tone technology. I’ll be interested to read your reaction.
Hey Tim. I will certainly let you know when I try the program. I also think the tone technology is the most important aspect but was curious about the effect of using the personalized part.
Thanks again for your input
Virgil