"I always say to myself right before a tough set in the gym, Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it"
About this Quote
The intent is surgical. Right before a “tough set,” your brain starts running cost-benefit math: How bad will this hurt? What if I fail? What if I look stupid? Coleman short-circuits that internal committee by treating the moment as non-negotiable action. The grammar matters: “ain’t” and “nothin’” signal a kind of anti-pretension, a refusal to intellectualize. He’s not claiming the weight is easy; he’s saying the thinking is the real trap.
The subtext is also about identity. Coleman became a legend in bodybuilding not just for size but for a vibe: relentless, almost cheerful brutality in training. This phrase reinforces that persona while offering a portable script for anyone facing dread, not just lifters. It’s the gym’s version of “walk through the door”: courage as a muscle you build by doing, not by feeling ready.
Contextually, it reads like a rebuttal to paralysis-by-analysis, and a reminder that progress often looks less like inspiration and more like compliance with your own plan.
Quote Details
| Topic | Training & Practice |
|---|---|
| Source | Quote attributed to Ronnie Coleman: "Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it" — listed on Wikiquote (Ronnie Coleman). |
| Cite | Cite this Quote |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Coleman, Ronnie. (n.d.). I always say to myself right before a tough set in the gym, Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-always-say-to-myself-right-before-a-tough-set-172939/
Chicago Style
Coleman, Ronnie. "I always say to myself right before a tough set in the gym, Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it." FixQuotes. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-always-say-to-myself-right-before-a-tough-set-172939/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"I always say to myself right before a tough set in the gym, Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it." FixQuotes, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-always-say-to-myself-right-before-a-tough-set-172939/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.





