What keeps you going?

[spartan300]

Difficult is a relative term.
What separates the mediocre from the great?
Genetics? Sure. But you'll never reach full
potential without putting in the work.
None the less, genetics will definitely give you a leg up.
As for the rest of us poor, miserable fucks
who are destined for mediocrity, the
path is a steep, narrow one. This path,
if you choose to follow it, will determine how fucking bad
you want to aspire to greatness! Because its going to ask of you
to out think, out work, and outlast the gifted.
This equates to training harder
and longer to compensate. And if that seems
a bit much, there's always pilates.

[spartan300]

The iron junkie feeds on the high they get from training.
It’s not seen as a chore or a burden done reluctantly.
Most are prescribed a fitness regiment at the behest of a
doctor or a therapist as a preventative measure to avoid future
health or mobility issues. The iron freak’s sole purpose
when training is concerned, is to fulfill “The need”!
This need is what drives us. Exceeding limits and extending
boundaries are the cornerstones of the iron freak culture.
FEED THE NEED!!

[spartan300]

When is too much ever enough! Acceptance is surrender!
This shit ain’t over till it’s fucking over!!
Let me remind you,
There is no light at the end of this tunnel!
"WE" have no finish line! We ride this
mother fucker 'till the wheels fall off!
Some would say this is nothing more
than an exercise in futility. I think Sisyphus
would disagree.

[spartan300]

On this day we honor our fallen heroes.
GOD bless this nation and it’s sons and daughters
Who’ve made the Ultimate Sacrifice to preserve it!

[Cellardweller]

What keeps me going is not going on Instagram and watching pro bodybuilders or powerlifters train. It’s coming here and seeing everyone, no matter how few we are now, continue to train. Seeing you guys overcome obstacles, work schedules and just life to continue to train your asses off. The FORVM and places like this are generally undervalued. I appreciate every person here no matter how much I may interact with you. We are all brothers

[spartan300]

[QUOTE=Cellardweller;1477037]What keeps me going is not going on Instagram and watching pro bodybuilders or powerlifters train. It’s coming here and seeing everyone, no matter how few we are now, continue to train. Seeing you guys overcome obstacles, work schedules and just life to continue to train your asses off. The FORVM and places like this are generally undervalued. I appreciate every person here no matter how much I may interact with you. We are all brothers[/QUOTE


That’s what I’m talking about CD!! How are we progressing?
Do we have to light that candle under your ass?

[spartan300]

The iron freak, for the most part withstands day after day of intense
training without incident. However, Injuries are a reality.
To think we are immune is ludicrous. When it does rear
it’s ugly head we deal with this shit the same way
we approach our training, Head on!
It’s our incredible ability to overcome these
setbacks is what speaks volumes about
the tenacious character of the iron freak. It ain’t easy but I guess
that’s why we do what we do!

[spartan300]

Here we are Iron freaks with another installment
of "Why the fuck do I keep subjecting myself to this shit"!
Training with regularity can be tedious, however finding
innovative ways to inflict more pain can make things a little more exciting!
Here is some dumb shit I've done in the past:

10 sets of squats in 30 minutes (I used an alarm clock)
Doing 100 chins as many sets as it takes (to sternum)
Barbell curls for 5 hours

[spartan300]

We don't rely on teammates for our success. Hell no!
Our success is determined strictly on the
work "WE" decide to put in. When we fall short
of our expectations, We hold ourselves accountable for our failure.
Because our failures are a direct result of our own making!
The same can be said for our triumphs. For they are hard
earned and so richly deserved! The decision is ours.
No one needs to remind us of our commitment.
Every time we set foot in the gym is all the reminder we need.
IRON JUNKIE FOR LIFE!

[spartan300]

You got to be ready every damn day to deliver the fucking goods!
Some days it takes all you got to get it done. It’s those moments
when we’re struggling the most, that you may wonder
if the juice is worth the squeeze. If that thought should last
longer than it takes to take your next breath you need to turn
in your iron freak card! Anyone who considers
themselves part of this group will agree that a shitty day of lifting
is better than having a great day doing anything else!

[spartan300]

Cult or culture? Many believe we check a lot of the boxes
of a cult. However, despite some similarities, that does
not accurately depict who we are. We don't rely on bullshit like
paranormal or mystical manipulation. A cult is often
described as indulging in human fantasies and falsehoods.
FUCK THAT!
Our "CULTURE" is based on a common understanding
of standards and values that are conducive to sustaining
a higher level of training. The only prerequisite to be part of this culture
is you must be willing to dedicate yourself to the intense nature of the
iron freak lifestyle!

[spartan300]

The process is so simplistic in nature.
Eat. Train. Rest. Grow. Sounds pretty boring?
I mean it’s systematic, methodical.
However, complacency has proven
time and time again to be the enemy of progress.
Our approach may differ slightly.
We do everything in excess! Each day we train we face
new self imposed challenges! Just fulfilling basic nutritional needs
won’t cut it! We’re hyper focused
on what we eat, because we know what
it takes to fuel an Iron freaks training. We rest long enough
to catch our breath and then we’re right back at it!
GROWTH IS INEVITABLE!!


Excess is BEST!!

[Cellardweller]

So much greatness in this thread

[spartan300]

So much greatness in this thread

It’s “our” group here that inspires me CD!
Much love and respect!

[spartan300]

Did you walk into the gym scared shitless today?
Knowing damn well, if you do it right you're gonna'
push your body to do thing's that'll bring you
right to the edge. That's the adrenaline talkin'!
It's telling you it's time to put up or shut the fuck up!
This shit will taunt you. It will claim you.
Strap in! This shit is about to get REAL!

[spartan300]

Incredible how our intense feelings about our approach
to training can be misconstrued as questionable behavior
by the mainstream. We’re perceived as socially stunted misfits.
It appears walking into a gym with a deliberate plan and to execute it
with verve and passion seems to make a lot of sensible,
“Normal folks” un fucking comfortable. Apply the same principles we employ
to let say a business or corporate environment and they’re
applauded for there tireless efforts. A celebrity or sports personality mentions
how grueling there preparation for a specific role or a long season and
they’re highly regarded for there perseverance and personal sacrifices.
All that shit pales in comparison to what we do year in, year out without
so much as a pat on the fucking back!
I wouldn’t have it any other way!

[spartan300]

Those of us who’ve made the choice, were hooked early on.
It was that moment when you survived your first brutal workout
and realized you fucking loved it! If you’ve never experienced this fight or flight
sensation none of this will make any sense.
Training is taken to a whole new level. Unrecognizable to
the average gym goer. It transcends all conventional training wisdom.
This is the life of an iron junkie and it is always intense!

[spartan300]

There are no guarantees!
We proceed down this
narrow corridor not assured of anything.
We train hard enough to see visions.
We fuel ourselves in precise calculations.
Repeatedly making increasing demands.
For the "Purest" of us the rewards are
not promised and come slowly.
We live for the battle. It gives us purpose.
When we do emerge victorious we revel
briefly and then begin to look for our next conquest.
FIGHT THE "GOOD" FIGHT!!
RESIST ENTICEMENT!!

[spartan300]

Happy fathers day!!

[spartan300]

The shit that compels us to reach a little further than
our arms will allow is one of the precepts of the iron junkie's
credo. It's not taught, however. It's inate.
Yeah sorry if you buy into that bullshit that champions
are made. It's in us. Its already there. We are all born with this enormous potential.
There, under all the layers of fear, doubt and uncertainly hides
our true potential! It's this uncertainty that will ask if you're worthy.
It's the hard choices we push ourselves to make that will determine the
outcome. No excuses, it's in there now go fucking find it!