Chereads / The Gym Rat / Chapter 3 - Lost in the lift

Chapter 3 - Lost in the lift

Luke resumed his routine with methodical precision. Classical music filtering through headphones provided a calm backdrop as he powered through each set with concentration. 

Bench pressing a heavy weight, Luke lost himself in the rhythm of lifts and breaths. His mind emptied except for visualizing perfect form on each rep. Sweat slicked his palms but his grip remained steady, raising and lowering the bar with controlled movements. 

Across the room, a group of football players horseplayed loudly between their sets. But the noise faded into white noise for Luke, his focus internalized. Years of solitary training imbued a deep mindfulness in his workouts that blocked distractions.

After several sets of Bench presses, Luke transitioned smoothly to Squats. The weighted bar pressed comfortably against his trapezius as he lowered into deep bends. Power exploded upward from his legs through glutes and hamstrings, a full body exertion that tested his strength reserves. 

As the sunlight angling through high windows shifted golden, then dimmed with the setting sun, Luke entered his cool-down stretching. Limbs loosened pleasantly after the intense workload while his breathing and heart rate slowed their racing pace. 

Satisfied with his performance that day, Luke packed his bag to depart for a protein-rich dinner. His solitary routine provided not just physical benefits but psychological ones through challenging his limits and clearing his mind in structured repetition. Another day of progress lay behind, further progress ahead to meet.