You are in the middle of the most intense workout of your life.

Halfway through a set of heavy goblet squats, you feel as though can’t breathe, can’t feel your legs, and you KNOW there is still :30 of work left to perform the movement. You are determined not to put the kettlebell down, and to maintain constant tension, but every second seems like an hour, and as you fatigue you grimace, tighten up, and try to channel the inner rage it takes to finish the set.

Sound familiar?

I know for many years, this was me. But you know something? It rarely worked. Sure, getting fired up to lift something once or twice is all well and good, and quite often necessary, but when we are performing work for an extended period of time, working yourself will do nothing to help you finish, and will in fact will likely make you want to quit altogether.

What if I told you there is a better way? The next time your are in the middle on an extended set that BURNS or an intense movement pattern, take a DEEP breath mid set, and try to relax your face. I am NOT saying to relax your core, or let your body enter a Gumby like state of pliability; I am simply requesting that you relax your mind.

I know, it sounds silly, but by calming yourself down, and talking yourself through it in a placid, confident manner (I have talked myself through many Metabolic sets), you will be shocked at how much more effective of an approach that is. I like to tell myself “You got this, this isn’t that bad,” “Take a deep breath, relax, it could be much worse”, “The end WILL come, just focus on each second and it will be here before you know it”, and other positive phrases that help me get through it, without working myself into a frenzy.

Try it out the next time you are struggling mid set, and let me know what you think. If it doesn’t work for you, just keep on channeling your dark passenger to get through those tough sets, but I think you may by pleasantly surprised!