A gym can be one of the most intimidating places to be, especially if you’re new or coming back from a long time off. You may look around and think “everyone else is so much better/stronger/more fit/more capable than me.”
And if I, an owner of a gym and lifelong athlete can feel this way, I have to imagine I’m not alone!
It’s why Valeo strives to be a place where your biggest and only competition is yourself and where every big and little win is celebrated.
Because you know what?
That rockstar who just deadlifted a crazy amount of weight? They are in a phase of their program that only calls for 4 reps, not 15 like yours.
That woman who’s pushing the sled with all those heavy plates on it? She’s energized from a full night’s sleep, not up multiple times with her kiddos for the first time in months.
That guy who just crushed twice as much on his bench press than you ever have? He’s been in the gym training 4 days a week for the last 25 years.
That gal over there with the svelte arms and flat stomach? She’s overcome incredible insecurity and finally has a healthy relationship with food again.
That man cranking it out on the rower? He recently retired and isn’t dealing with the stress at work you may be carrying.
You see, we all have stories we take into the gym with us every day. What we ate, how we slept that night, our hormonal cycles, our training and health history, what our goals are…all of this affects how we perform in the gym.
So the next time you’re tempted to feel down about yourself as you look around at others, remember everybody and every body is different.
Put on the blinders. You do you.
It’s the best way to get (even more) awesome.
Jess & Team Valeo