Look around next time you’re in a gym, or pretty much anywhere. If its not in the middle of a crossfit WOD or a class, most people will be playing with their phone. Staring at it, caressing it, stroking it. If they paid that much attention to their partner, the relationship would probably be significantly improved.

Maybe they are checking their workout program, or changing tracks on the playlist. But most of the time they’re messaging, scrolling and simply being distracted.

One of the many places a phone does not belong is in a gym. You need to be present, in mind and body, for safety, for effectiveness. Otherwise its simply an activity you are cosplaying and you are not reaping the full benefit.

The gym is your time. For training, for self improvement, for relaxation, for training.

If you use your phone for workouts, get a cheap note book and transcribe the plan into that. If you feel that it is imperative that you are contactable, then mute all other notifications and put the phone in your bag to ring. And then negotiate time alone, there is nothing so important that you can’t put it off for an hour. And if there is, maybe you shouldn’t be in the gym. If you listen to music, wireless headphones can transmit up to 20m, and you can set the playlist before you leave home.

So put the phone down. Be present, train with intent, and tap into the improvements in mind and body that can offer.