Have you ever wondered how to up your game in the morning?
Recently, I came across an effective use of my garage that has propelled my morning routine to a new level.
I've always been fairly consistent with my mornings, but incessant little annoyances randomly throw my schedule out of wack. Whether it's a child not sleeping in, or me attempting to get a little more sleep and losing the pace of my morning, things suffer from the chance of failing and me falling behind.
Garage Gym Hacks
A few weeks ago though, a friend and I agreed to work out together in the mornings. The agreement was that he would show up, and we'd get a 45-minute or so training session in. That first workout was slow-moving and we spent 3 hours talking.
However, the routine found some feet. No longer do we decide what time we're meeting the night before. Instead, the expectation is 6am. We do our best to be done by 7am or a little after and have found our stride.
The accountability of a friend coming over has cemented my morning routine. While I consider myself fairly well-disciplined, the knowledge that someone else will be showing up at my door in the morning is a motivator that gives a nice nudge when the sheets feel too warm and comfortable.
After all, I can't be caught trying to get 5 more minutes of shut-eye if I need to perform at my best in an hour and a half.
Garage Gym Schedule: Old v New
What's grown in just these past few weeks is a group dedication. We've included another friend in the process and the three of us are making strong strides. Not only this, but we've begun throwing out unique suggestions on how to up the ante with our workouts. Whether it's random rucks or 5ks, we've started challenging ourselves in new ways.
I've also quickly attached a new significance to that 6am time frame. I don't lethargically walk into the garage, starving and half-asleep. I don't use every excuse in the book as to why my workout should be adjusted or I could put it off till the afternoon.
My old routine was haphazard in its execution. Since I would wake up at 4:30 and try to begin training by 5am, I struggled to keep things progressing. I attempted to convince myself to skip that day as I put on my shoes. Then, I tried to cram food, time with the Lord, and family time in before attempting to be working by 7:30.
The voluntary nature coupled with just waking up were throwing wrenches in my passion.
Today, I treat opening that garage door as a job. My people arrive at 6am, and I better have that garage set up and ready to go. Knowing that others count on my consistency, I've built a reasonable morning routine that still has me working by 8am.
So I lost half an hour of "work" a morning and feel less rushed and healthier during my mornings? Yes, please.
My schedule now goes something like this:
4:30am – wake up
4:35am – prayer, time with the Lord, and journaling
5:10am – prep 1st breakfast and coffee
5:45am – brush teeth and head to the garage
5:55am – set up for the workout that day
6am – work out
7am – eat, shower, and prepare for work
8am – work
This routine coupled with the necessary nature of opening that door has changed things. I've created a small impromptu business in my garage, and it's been a powerful catalyst for a new outlook. The garage door is symbolic to me now. In fact, I look forward to pressing that button in the morning. My friends will pull up soon after, and we'll be off to the races with our workout of the day.
Garage Gym Perks
Not only that, but the workouts themselves have helped me shape a vision of where I'd like to progress. Since I have two friends eager to grow and be consistent, I know we can have lofty goals for the type of workouts we're completing. It may take a while to get there, but the journey is the fun part!
As we train, we get to open up to each other about what we're dealing with in our lives. We share revelations the Lord has provided, lessons from our family lives, and personal highs and lows. We build body, soul, and spirit for a dedicated hour every morning.
Another perk of this new routine has been the shifting of a previous annoyance into a long-term gain.
The Garage Gym and my Sons
One of my sons has grown a third sense for when I'm awake. If he hears any type of movement out in the living room or kitchen, his head is off that pillow and he's out of the bedroom like a rocket. He is the stereotypical 3-year-old wide awake at 5am.
Before the garage gym group training, I would often use my awake, attention-seeking 3-year-old as a reason to shift my workouts or (gasp) skip it that day. It would eat me up because I knew I couldn't spend alone time with the Lord like I wanted and I would often curtail my plans in the morning to accommodate him.
Now, I make him breakfast and continue with my routine. I do my best to not allow his presence to completely derail what I need to do in the morning. He's come to expect Dad going to the garage to work out in the morning, and Dad's friends will be there.
These days, I love that he comes out into the garage and watches. He experiences Dad training and takes advantage of hugs and climbing all over me. I love knowing that my sons enjoy a welcoming environment dedicated to strength and fitness. I pray that they all find a love of training and pursue it for a lifetime. I also want them to fondly remember the moments of today.
Previously, it would eat me up that my focus needed to be diverted from working out.
When I was dedicated to powerlifting, my focus was everything. I needed to be in another world mentally, and I couldn't stand distractions or goofing around. I couldn't deal with babysitting someone else while trying to focus on big weights.
It's taken time, but thankfully, that part of me has been released. I've accepted that my fitness focus has changed and that my child's raising is more important than 5 more pounds on the bar. I want to have good memories during these times and to know that I put my all into my fatherhood and physical health.
Garage Gyms Pay off
When I lifted alone, I needed to divert my focus and attention often to ensure my son was safe. This left me feeling frustrated and divided. Now that there is a group of us, my friends and I watch for my son and what he's doing. If he's about to walk into danger, one of us grabs him and redirects him. The person doing the movement can keep their focus.
The benefits of our group lifting have paid off massive dividends.
Mind you, this comes from a guy who used to cherish working out alone. I couldn't stand getting into conversations that bit into my workout (We all have that friend) or being derailed by distractions. Today, my friends have become a massive asset in my life. They keep me accountable with my schedule, fitness, faith, fatherhood, and mental/emotional well-being. They look out for things I might miss.
Their presence not only keeps me in check but pushes me. When I'm programming and carrying out the fitness plan with them, I know that they need to be pushed properly and that I can't slack or slouch either. If there's a chance to do a bit extra, then I need to do it. We all would benefit, and I know the importance of setting an example.
I don't know where this goes, but I'm learning valuable lessons applicable to The Forged, my family, and my personal life. It may grow or it may stay a group of three of us. It may become a major facet of the business, or remain a personal blessing every morning.
I don't know about all of that. But what I do know is this: I'm already excited to press that garage door button again.
Take on the challenge of transforming. If you want to build deeper, longer-lasting relationships as you grow in confidence, then get our newest book, The Hidden Ones - 21 Tactics for Transformation today. Otherwise, visit The Forged to learn more about our exclusive, personal programs that help men in communities across the nation grow every day.
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