If you go to the gym you should be there to do one thing, to workout. Whether it be lifting or cardio it doesn't matter, but you should know that your there to sweat and to work hard. Too many times I see people distracted by things. I've come up with a little list of things to ask yourself in case you find yourself being distracted at the gym.

Does the Gym Resemble More of A Star Bucks Cafe for You?

Do you go to the gym with the mindset wondering if certain people are going to be there? Do you look for people such as friends, coworkers, or maybe the hot blonde on the treadmill that you love staring it? The gym should be a place to get away, to let stress out, to get work done, and to improve. It shouldn't be a social gathering or a place to go when you are bored and want to take up space/machines. If your not serious you don't belong there.

Buying a membership should be enough motivation to make you serious about the time you spend in the gym. Unfortunately, that doesn?t always seem to be the case. Ask yourself before you leave for the gym if you are really serious and really want to work hard. No one said working out is easy.

Do You Bring Your Cell Phone With?

Are you constantly checking for missed calls after each set? During rest times are you waiting for or sending text messages to your girlfriend? Or is it so bad that you actually have conversations with people on your phone at the gym?

Leave your phone in your locker! If you don?t have a lock leave it in your car. Whether your doing cardio or lifting for mass your intensity should be up at the gym. Too often I see people lax and calm walking and talking on their cell phones. You should be constantly pushing yourself as hard as possible, getting your heart rate up and pushing out the extra rep. Not leaning again the dumbbell rack having a phone conversation. You are never going to get any bigger or stronger if you don?t push yourself. Talking on the phone having conversations is in no way getting you mentally ready to push out your next set. Leave the phones out of the gym!

What Are You Wearing?

Last week I saw it for the first time. A guy came into the gym wearing beach sandals. Sigh? I just don?t see how you could be serious or have any commitment when you come strolling in wearing beach sandals. This goes back to getting yourself in the mindset of really wanting to improve yourself each and every time you go to the gym. If you get yourself an outfit that you can sweat in and work hard in, an athletic outfit, you?ll start to feel a lot more positive in your role as to what your going to do, not to mention you?ll look the part too. You start to get into a routine and your mind realizes every time you start to get ready to the gym preparing yourself for a good workout. Instead of just strolling out the door in beach sandals because you are tired of lounging by the pool. Make yourself want to go to the gym! Make yourself prepared, and one of the ways to do that is by looking the part and at least wearing gym shoes!

Do You Listen to Your Own Music?

Everyone has music or songs that pump him or her up. Songs that get their adrenalin running. In my own opinion I wouldn?t be able to workout without my music. At least not to the same caliber I do with the songs that get me juiced! Some gyms such as health clubs really don?t play that great of selection as far as getting yourself pumped up goes.

Do you feel tired when your pushing weights around? When I have my song on I want to destroy the weights! I play it loud and it gets my intensity up. Without it I would be resting on the bench for my next set listening to Madonna. (No offense to any Madonna fans.) But instead I?m resting and pumping myself up to my music to go crazy for my next set.

And for those people who don?t have an mp3 player, here is what to do:

Get yourself a cheap mp3 player it doesn?t have to be an expensive ipod and it doesn?t have to hold 15,000 songs. Go somewhere pick one up for 30 bucks. All you need is something that holds about 30 songs. Make yourself a play list that you can listen to. Don?t pick songs that are going to lull you to sleep. Pick songs that get you going. Put songs on there that motivate you to work hard. I absolutely guarantee that you will find your intensity up at the gym!

Evaluate Yourself.

Is working out something that you are really dedicated too? If not then you are probably not going to be very successful. Transforming your body takes time. Improvements don?t just happen overnight. Don?t expect to go to the gym once a week and give a halfhearted effort and be surprised when you don?t gain 10 pounds of muscle. Make sure that you are dedicated and improving your body is something that you really strive towards. Make a commitment to yourself and set goals or don?t waste your time. Improving your body is something that has to be worked at and not something that just happens without any effort.

Hopefully questions like these aren?t ones you have to ask yourself every time you workout. But for some you may find yourself being guilty of more than just one.

If you are, make sure you eliminate your distraction. It will definitely improve your workout routine tremendously and you will find yourself getting more done and making quicker improvements. Most importantly STAY FOCUSED ON

Let me know what you guys think. My aspiration is to be a writer here at bb.com so hopefully in time that may happen!