Lessons from the Gym

I have noticed something at the gym. The most lean and muscular guys have something in common. The big guys lifting 3 or 4 times the weight of the average gym patron are creative in how they work out and are always thinking about new ways to accomplish their goal. Instead of going to the gym and talking on their cell phones or chatting with friends, they go alone. They are consistent and when they are at the gym, they are at the gym

This contrasts most people that go to the gym. They may go with friends and dedicate a portion of their effort into talking with a friend or texting on their cell phone. This expands the time at the gym and moves the mind away from exercising. People who lift weights will know that proper form is essential and requires full attention to make sure all muscles in the body are moving correctly. The big guys are always refining their forms and schedules to continually achieve higher. Do the big guys ever have personal trainers? I have never seen one (I am excluding professional coaches.) They spend a lot of time researching and experimenting ways to improve.

Studying is similar to this. I have seen many people go to the library in groups and give half efforts over several hours to study. This takes a long time and is inefficient. This is most group-study scenarios. I had a study partner for a year and it was very effective for the classes we were taking together. It also required a lot of time studying outside. Looking back though, it was effective because we utilized spaced repetition without even realizing it! Instead of repeating something over and over again in a row until we got it “Right.” We would revisit material and notice what parts we were having trouble with a quiz/challenge each other. By forcing active recall spaced out over time, we both excelled in our classes earning right at the top or near the top. With spaced studying, this can be accomplished alone and much more efficiently. I would rather spend time with friends leisurely instead of studying!

The big guys at the gym lifting the huge weights, the colossi of Biochemistry – they share common methods. Focusing on efficiency and consistency they are able to achieve their goals while other complain of their natural abilities. We can all be in that upper percentile with the right approach.

Table of Contents

Related posts:

1. Stepping Away from the Competition Loop
2. Making the Most of In-Class Time
3. Leveling the Playing Field: The Myth of Intelligence
4. Emergency Studying: Multiplying the Power of SRS, and How to Avoid Creating Bad Habits
5. Biology: General