Ok, let me start by saying, I love music as much as the next person. Cranking the tunes while working out can really get the blood pumping. It can help you get a rhythm and keep it while running or lifting and it will help to keep motivated during those grueling long sessions. TV can be a good diversion as well. Check out the treadmills the next time you hit the gym. Sometimes I wonder if it is the treadmills that lured folks into the gym or the flat screen TV’s lined up on the wall in front of them. All of the runners have their remotes in hand and are constantly flipping the channels to find that perfect show to get them through a few miles of running. Yeah, watching TV and listening to music and working out go hand in hand, but is it productive? Sometimes, I think not.

Let’s put it this way, if you are focusing on what you are watching or what you are listening to, you are NOT focusing on your workout. Sound a little stuffy for your liking? Well, look at your midsection and think about what is more important…your iPod selections or the intensity and form of your exercises? One of the main difficulties that present a problem is that you have to constantly tend to your media choice during your workout. If a song comes through your headphones that you don’t like, what do you do? You stop, switch the song to something you like, and then start again. If your TV station airs a commercial, oftentimes you decide to flip channels in the middle of your run. One of the worst things, for me at least, is the constant fumbling with the earphones. It seems I can NEVER feel completely secure that my earphones will stay in my ears and usually, they don’t. I have to stop what I am doing and readjust so that I can get back to listening to…um…working out. How about losing all that distraction and focusing on the silence and intensity of your workout instead?

The first time I worked out in total silence, I’ll admit, it felt weird. I had spent so many years jamming out to my favorite tunes while working up a sweat that I felt as if I couldn’t get the same workout without the music. After a few minutes of working out in silence, however, a funny thing happened. I started REALLY concentrating. I was paying attention to my form like never before. I was working out to the patterns of my breathing versus the beat of the music. I was contracting my core at all the right moments and my lifts were much stronger than usual. In fact, not only did I finish more quickly than usual, I got one of the best workouts of my life.

Now, trying this in a gym is almost impossible. The music over the loudspeakers or blaring through the mounted TV’s will make you wish you had brought your iPod so at least YOU can control what you hear. No, instead, I recommend getting out of the gym. Try an outdoor workout for a change. Focus on the sights and sounds of nature to get you locked into the rhythm of your body and focus on your workout. Trust me, you will make some incredible progress once you push all of the distractions off the table and focus on your goals.

How you can avoid the prying eyes of the “Gym Fly’s.” A Women’s Guide to enjoying time at the Gym.

We have all seen them. I call them Gym fly’s. The guys that hang around the gym and do more talking than working out. They have the latest workout clothes, and are sipping on their carbohydrate and protein loaded fitness drink while they work their jaws. They LOOK the part, but in reality, they are simply LOOKING. Their target? Women.

From my experience, most women are at the gym to do one thing: workout. They are not interested in meeting guys and they are not impressed by how much weight you can throw overhead or how cool your arms look in your wife beater. The problem is, gym fly’s don’t get this. They often hover around these ladies ready to offer their “advice” to the “helpless woman.” Well ladies, listen up. Here are a few tips to help you keep these BUGS away from you and help you concentrate on getting a serious workout!

1. Knowledge is power…use it! – Many guys love to go up to women to give them advice on their lifting technique or workout in general. First of all, if ANYONE is going to put themselves out there in this way, you MUST be tactful…most of these guys AREN’T. Secondly, the fact is, a lot of their advice is often flat out WRONG. Women, if you do your homework and brush up on both your workout knowledge and technique, you will put THEM in their place. Trust me, they will leave you alone.

2. When in doubt, bring a friend – Working out with a partner will not only help keep your workouts focused and safe, it will also help keep the unwanted gym fly’s at bay. People who are together are less likely to be bothered when working out

3. Crank up the music – I like to listen to music when I workout personally. Rather than dealing with whatever is pumped through the speakers at the gym, I like to pop in the ear buds of my iPod. If you are there to concentrate on getting in shape, not socializing, then listening to music or audio books via earphones will surely let others know you mean business. Anyone who decides to interrupt you had better have a good reason as the simple fact that you will have to stop and pull out your earphones will deter many from even bothering.

4. Don’t go to the gym – Wait a second, don’t go to the gym? Yes, I said it. See, the mere fact that there are so many distractions at gyms makes working out at a gym not an option for a growing contingent of fitness buffs. This is not to say DON’T WORKOUT, but instead, workout outside of gyms at a boot camp style class. Obviously, you won’t have to deal with the aforementioned gymflys, nor any of the other interruptions and distractions that keep you from what you really want to do…get in shape! Outdoor workouts are a great alternative and if you take some time to learn a little about all the ways you can get in shape just using your own bodyweight, you may decide to stay away from the gym altogether.