One of my favorite meetings is the one that happens at Brutal Iron Gym.

Since last June I have been working out harder than I ever have. I have some great partners and the team at BIG is amazing! From giving pointers on diet to helping put together gut-wrenching workouts these guys are the best!

Yesterday while decimating my back I had a few thoughts that apply not only to the gym but to life in general. I’ll share three today and the rest tomorrow.

You have to hurt before you can grow.

In the gym it’s true. If you’re not hurting you’re not growing. When you work out hard you tear your muscles then you eat and rest while they recover, and as they recover they grow!

I’ve seen this in my own life. When there’s no pain, no stress, it is almost certain that I am getting pudgy. BUT when the pain comes… when the hard times come and I persevere there is always growth and maturity on the other side.

Just today as I was leaving the gym I was talking with one of the patrons there and we both agreed that we love the pain that comes after the workout… because we know it means something good is going to happen!

Don’t be afraid of pain in your life! Remember, pain always precedes growth.

Showing up is half the battle.

Oh this is big! Every once in a while I’ll have a day when I just don’t feel like going to the gym. I’m tired or busy and I just don’t feel like going. I usually go anyhow, and guess what happens on those days! More often than not I leave the gym tired and sweaty but deeply grateful that I went!

Look, there are going to be days and seasons in your life when you are just going to feel like staying home. Don’t. Even if you don’t have the best workout ever you still exercise your body and that’s worth something! You will become mentally and physically stronger just because you showed up!

What is it in your life that you need to show up to/for? Get up and get going! Just showing up is half the battle!

Want to know one of the best ways to assure you’ll show up even when you don’t feel like it? Have a partner!

I get stronger when I go with someone

When I work out with Pete or Dave, or when Rob gives me a spot I always move more weight than I could by myself! When my arms get tired they give me a little help and I can move that dumbbell one more time! And you know what that means? It means I’m going to get stronger!

Additionally, when Dave or Pete moves the weight six times I want to move it seven! Good healthy competition takes place when we’re all together!

One more thing! When I’m grunting and straining to complete my last rep and I hear my partner screaming and cheering for me it gives me that last little bit of “oomph” needed to complete the rep!

Accountability, assistance, competition, and encouragement! All four of these are gifts given to me by my workout partners and because of them I am getting stronger!

Gosh! I hope you go to the gym and take it seriously! I’ll talk about the other three lessons tomorrow!