We Came To Work

When it comes to training, there’s a big difference between just showing up versus turning up to work.

Of course, not every session is going to be maximum intensity. We all have off days, moments of exhaustion, or times where the focus just isn’t there. But when you walk through those gym doors, what’s your intention? Is it to tick the box that says, “I came to the gym today” or is it to genuinely strive to improve your performance, physique, or whatever goal you’re working towards?

Sure, time in the gym is better than no exercise at all. But if you’re doing something regularly, surely, it’s worth doing properly.

You can see the difference between those who are there to work and those just turning up and it’s not even a subtle difference. Some wander in, spend a few minutes scrolling on their phone, or worse, take a mirror selfie before even touching a weight. It’s the quintessential “look world, I turned up” moment which, ironically, is probably the most intense focus of their session. Then comes the same routine, same weights, same effort, week after week.

Not everyone in the gym looks like a Greek Adonis, and that’s fine, I certainly don’t. The work speaks for itself though. You can see it in someone’s intensity, their focus and their consistency. Over time, it always shows in performance, appearance, or both.

Those who step in with the intent to work tend to be the ones who aren’t as not loud or flashy in my experience. They’re just deliberate. Every rep has intent, every set has purpose, and every adjustment is made with focus. They’re not looking for likes or applause, instead they’re chasing that quiet sense of progress. That feeling of satisfaction in knowing they’re moving forward.

The Rise of “Insta Training”

The old question goes, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Lately, it feels more like, “If a training session isn’t posted on Instagram, did it even happen?”

I get it. We live in a world obsessed with visibility and attention. I used to post progress photos myself back in the day, but I don’t recall it ever being as bad as it is now. Step into any gym nowadays and there’s generally no shortage of phones and tripods everywhere, capturing the “perfect set.” Sure, some people use recordings to check form, and that’s fair. But it feels like it’s all getting a bit much especially when people have the audacity to get annoyed at people getting in their shot.

If it’s part of your profession or side hustle, then I get it. For many thought, I sense it’s just performance. The posing and posting often far outweigh the actual effort they put into training. The result is sessions that drag twice as long with half the intensity.

I’ve spent years training with high volume, heavy weights, and short rest periods. You’d be surprised how much you can fit into a shorter session when focus is sharp and intense.

Each to their own, but it’d be good to see less obsession with time spent in the gym and more focus on the intensity of what’s done there.

Respecting the Grind

I’ve never really been one for group sessions or CrossFit classes which for the most part was out of habit. For years, my training routine revolved around pre- and post-work sessions; get in, get it done, get back to work which didn’t lend itself well to classes or training with others. Even now, working from home, the pattern’s the same. Morning run, gym, headphones in, focus on.

I often say it’s just as hard to fall out of the routine once you’re in it as it is to build the habit in the first place. Although the training can be intense and I can push myself to places my body doesn’t want to go or stay for too long, the battle of you against you becomes a daily expectation to turn up.

That being said, I recently attended a monthly CrossFit session in Shoreditch ‘Get Up and Get It Done’. More than anything I saw it as a chance to catch up with a friend I used to see weekly but as is often the case, life happens and we see each other less nowadays. If I can pair an intense monthly session with catching up, I’m all in. Given I don’t generally attend these sorts of sessions I don’t have a direct reference point but based on my personal experience in the session and conversations with others it’s pretty high intensity even compared to other CrossFit type sessions.

It's a good vibe as well. They say it’s about no ego, high energy and high intensity but even so you could be forgiven for thinking you might still rock up to see egos on show. Not the case at all. It was very high energy, music and good vibes, with a room of people all pushing each other to strive to challenge their limits. If it wasn’t clear from some of the physiques in the room already then it was clear the moment the workouts started that everyone came to work.

Yes, there were tripods and no shortage of fitness influencers which typically wouldn’t be the environment I gravitate towards but in this instance, it didn’t even matter to me. I respected the work and hustle that was going on in the room and as tough as the session was it was refreshing to be surrounded by other people seeking to push their limits. The session wraps up with a team event to hit volume targets for a variety of exercises which brought camaraderie and shared effort with it.

When I went back into my regular gym the next day there was almost a feeling of longing to be surrounded by that level of intensity again so now, I make it a monthly thing to head down to Get Up and Get It Done. I don’t feel I’ve been missing out by training primarily alone for many years but at the same time I’m glad to have found kindred spirits with other warriors who are out to put in the work on a monthly basis now.

How You Do Anything

I’ve written before about how you do anything is how you do everything and the gym is one of the clearest mirrors of that truth. The feedback loop is clear and evident; put the work in and your performance, strength and appearance improve. Fail to put in the work and you’ll see any or all of those start to go in the other direction.

I wouldn’t be surprised if people who turn up to their workouts half assed on a regular basis are able to see themselves dropping their standards and work ethic in other areas too.

We Came to Work

I’ll end this the way I began. It’s not about making statements of arrogance, ego or provocation. This is pure brass tacks, matter of facts.  

If you’re the kind of person who steps into the gym with focus and purpose, who gives genuine effort every time, I see you and I salute you.

If you’re turning up to find the perfect angle, post or shot then keep doing you. Whilst you’re paying lip service to the gods of hard work there’s other putting the work in to maintain equilibrium in the universe.

We came to work.