Why not try that in real life?
(Guess who was thefirst personto get to level 50 on Borderlands 2!)
But what if exercise were just like video games?
So that’s exactly what I did.
But hey, that’s what a Level 1 Warrior is like, right?
Start by Leveling up Your Abilities
The beginning step is one that should come naturally to gamers.
Think back to the quests you’re given as a level 1 peasant in RPGs.
Remember having to complete menial tasks just to learn the game and get started on your quest?
This is also when the game is the most forgiving about wrong choices.
Remember, almost everything that you do will quickly progress you towards leveling up.
One strategy could be to drop down and perform as many sets of two as possible instead.
Never Stop Learning
Here’s one area where gamers often fall into a common trap.
Fitness is the same way.
Even those without advanced fitness goals can make use of this principle.
Value the Middle and End Game
Fitness is a lifelong adventure full of quests and achievements.
This is when the player must learn to appreciate the “end game” phase of fitness.
The easy quests are long gone and only the tougher challenges remain.
Individual milestones are less easy to identify.
It’s common to notice people dropping out of their workout plans at the six-month mark.
Remember, after you hit a certain level in video games, leveling up can be slow.
That doesn’t mean that you should give up.
Gamers should be familiar with this and realize that it’s all part of the process.
One way I handled this was by simply changing the flow of my workouts.
This unlocks an entirely new set of quests to go after as well.
Often this simple detour ends up providing bonus experience points when you return.
Embrace the grind with patience.
Be Proud of All Progress
Every step forward in fitness is something to be celebrated.
Doing five pounds more or one rep more isprogress.
Even if you haven’t completed your final goal, these quests will add up.
Personal bests are a clear sign that your methods are working on some level.
Experienced gamers have all of the mental skills required to succeed at the highest level, especially in fitness.
Use the gaming mindset to level up and get the body you’ve always wanted.
any fitness community of like-minded individuals) along the way.
The guild that you choose is up to you.
I joinedFitocracyand made friends there, because there were a lot of gamers like me looking to get fit.
This step is often overlooked in gaming and fitness, but it is one of the most important.
Mattis a world record gamer who first stepped foot in the gym in his twenties.
He then used a gaming mindset to become a fitness professional.
Image adapted fromiluistratoranddmitriylo(Shutterstock).
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