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Whether it’s getting up an hour earlier or hopping in an ice bath for recovery, achieving workout results takes an extra bit of grit.
But how much are you willing to grind now, to get the glory later?
That is the question Under Armour is asking in its latest campaign. In a series of gritty videos showing a young man doing all he can – in all weather – to be the best, the campaign is a push to do what it takes to get your glory.
Think about the one area of your workout routine that is stopping you from grinding to your maximum.
Now, here are four tips to help you get the edge when it comes to upping your grind:
1. Get up an hour earlier
Waking up earlier to start your routine earns you the one thing we only have a set amount of: time. By starting earlier, you can train more hours. And if you do it consistently over time, it is an investment in your body that compounds over time. It’s also the perfect time of day to get your body moving: you’re fresher, your mind is clearer and you have more energy. An hour at the start of the day is worth two at the end.
2. Dynamic workouts
Stretching is a healthy part of exercising, but dynamic workouts can be good for certain exercises, like squatting. Rather than overstretching your limbs, dynamic workouts mimic the workout you’re about to perform, increasing your range of motion without compromising your body’s elasticity, according to this Austin University study. Be intentional about your workouts, by being intentional about your warmups.
3. Eat well, sleep well
It is often the most overlooked part of exercising, because it is so routine and a given that we need to eat and sleep every day. But the consistent way we treat our diets and our sleep patterns are the longest investments you will put into your grind. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating the right foods after exercising can help immediately replace essential nutrients, and getting a bad night’s rest can not only hinder your performance, but also your body’s ability to recover, reports Time. Don’t neglect what you eat and how you sleep: they are two things you will do every day.
4. Enjoy it
Late great NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant – famed for his work ethic and 'Mamba mentality' – was quoted as saying this: "Those times when you get up early and you work hard; those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when you don't feel like working, you're too tired, you don't want to push yourself, but you do it anyway; that is actually the dream."
There will be times when grinding will be tough, and there will be times when you will feel on top of the mountain. By pushing through to the end, you can get to the point where you enjoy all that work.
The message then is this: get through the grind, so you can get the glory later.
This post was sponsored by Under Armour and produced by the Adpsace Studio.
