I spend some time on YouTube, getting motivation to move more weight than I ever have in my life (as well as seeking my own entertainment). I have to laugh at the "hardcore" fanboys a bit.
It seems there's a myth being perpetuated in the lifting community. In order to be hardcore, you have to wear combat boots, lift in a dingy, dark, busted up gym, and grunt, scream and yell through every rep. To me, that's a complete and total myth.
You can be hardcore and work out in Planet Fitness with all the latest, newest equipment (a lot of the machines, in my mind, are a waste of time though). You can be hardcore and work out in a place that paints their walls teal and yellow. Hardcore is a state of mind, not where you work out or what you wear while doing so.
For me, I train in old t-shirts and standard issue basketball shorts, not in flannels or string tank tops and jeans or "jorts" (think John Cena's ring wear). No combat boots - just a pair of Nike "Dri-Fit" cross trainers that I live in except for work and church.
It's a state of mind. It's turning down happy hour at the bar for happy hour with the barbell and dumbbells. It's turning down the cupcakes and extra cup of coffee at the office for your mid-morning meal and another bottle of water. It's making the time to cook your food for a day, or a couple of days, rather than watching the Super Bowl (trust me, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow) and pigging out on junk food.
It's that state of mind that doesn't change because it's January and vacation is coming in March. It doesn't change because you want to look like you did 10 years ago.
It says that you need to get up that hour earlier to hit the gym, or make and package up meals for the day. It means making sure that whatever supplements you take are ready to go, and taken at their appropriate times. Using the same grocery list week in and week out.
It's not one of those things - or maybe it's all of them.
Anyone can be "hardcore". From the biggest, most fit guy you know to the biggest computer geek in the IT department. It's all about the mindset and standard you hold. It has nothing to do with dressing a certain way, acting a certain way, and it certainly is not about flaunting. Age and gender don't matter, and I know for myself I don't care if anyone notices or not.
Focus within. Be dedicated and hold yourself to a higher standard. Be hardcore.
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