By Aaron Thigpen, Owner Gamespeed Sports Performance, Sep 2018
Performance training is key to your athletic development. But like most things it can get old and we can take the routine of training for granted. However, whether you love to get that endorphine pump or  just see it as a necessary evil, the attitude and habits you bring to your training sessions will ultimately effect your game time results. 

You May Be Sabotaging Your Work Out If You: 

  • Do not bring or wear the right equipment. Make sure your shoes and athletic wear fit properly. Shoes should fit well, be laced properly. You should be able to move freely in your clothing.  Also wear the right clothing for the weather, warmup and warmdown activities. It doesn’t hurt to have spare clothes to react to changing conditions.  
  • Don’t execute all your reps. When possible don’t bail out, once a set gets hard try to work through it. If lifting get a spotter. In other activites slowing the pace or increasing recovery time can help you complete reps.
  • Are not mindful of your intensity. Bring the appropriate intensity to your reps drills, etc. Don’t just punch the clock or sleep walk through your workout and think your getting something done. If mentally you aren’t into it, then maybe you need to stay home that day.
  • Are not in the moment. Don’t bring the days distractions to the workout. Leave whatever drama is going on at the door, it’ll be there when you finish. The break may allow you to clear your head and help you to cope with things better.
  • Are measuring attendance versus quality of work performed. Showing up is not enough. Many athletes have a checkbox mentality  and assume shwoing up is all it takes.  Well if you didnt give the right effort or learn soemthing from your training to advance your  abilities all you did was exercise not performance train. 
  • Are thinking about the next set, exercise or even workout. Be in the moment execute your technique, give the right effort. Many athletes worry about what’s coming next so they may try to consenrve energy or do less which may save them for later work but sabotages what they are currently tasked with.
  • Are not properly feeling the body for training changes. If something gets too easy (or difficult) ask your trainer about making the appropriate adjustment. Dont waste time, progress!!! Training is the alternating process of challenge and adaptation. 
  • Are avoiding the hard work and doing only those things that come easy. Hold your nose and take your medicine.
  • Are constantly comparing yourself to others. Being competitive is in an athletes nature but your focus should be on you and what you need to accomplish not worrying about what others are doing in their training. 
  • Are caught in the pack mentality. Training with friends can be fun but if they are not as committed and focused as you, leave them behind and see them socially, not when its training time.  

The things that can effect your training can be subtle mentally or physically. Be mindful of your habits, you may be going from “Performance” to “Poor-formance”.