3 Memory Palace Training Exercises [Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced]

Anthony Metivier's Magnetic Memory Method Podcast

Are you searching for Memory Palace training exercises and an easy way to create your first (or second) Memory Palace Network?

And do you find yourself frustrated by:

• Memory training apps that fail to deliver?
• Endless how-to posts on the Internet that “guarantee” results?
• Memory improvement books that leave you entertained but you still find yourself no closer to using the tools that will help you build your memory?

You know what?

I know it can seem like an endless loop of information when it comes to memory training on the Internet.

It’s almost as if you’re on a hamster wheel, getting no closer to your destination. You may feel discouraged, or worse, ready to give up…

But before you throw your hands up in the air and admit defeat, know this:

The problem isn’t you.

The problem is the “quick fix” methods full of empty promises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px1O-j3BIHo

3 Powerful Memory Palace Training Exercises

Before we get into these memory training routines specifically designed for using Memory Palaces, here’s the very good news:.

I have developed these simple Memory Palace training exercises with beginners, intermediate users and expert mnemonists in mind.

And I know these exercises will help you to build an effective Memory Palace Network, even if you’ve never created one before or used a shred of mnemonic imagery in your life. (Scroll down for proof.)

No, the exercises on this page are not a quick fix, hack, or shortcut.

But what you’re about to discover is a simple and proven method that will help you create and implement Memory Palaces so you can:

• Learn the language you always wanted
• Pass your exams with flying colors
• Improve your life by improving your brain heath.

Are you ready?

If so…

Brace yourself for these three, mind-blowingly simple Memory Palace training routines.

1. The Alphabet Memory Palace Exercise

Before we get started, a quick question:

Do you have a Memory Journal?

Keeping a journal is a fun way to help you remember more about your life and can even help your daily productivity.

And let’s be honest, we all need a boost sometimes to be more productive.

I can dedicate (and have) an entire blog post to the benefits of memory journaling, but let’s assume you are keeping a dedicated Memory Journal (and if not, you should).

For the Memory Palace creation exercise, here’s how to get started.

Take your Memory Journal and begin on a fresh page.

Start with the letter A. Ask yourself “Who do I know that has a home whose name starts with an A?”

Remember not to limit yourself here.

Your choice doesn’t have to be a home.

It can be the names of movie theaters, bookstores, or other places that have significant meaning to you.

Be flexible, and let your mind wander.

Progressively move through the alphabet, one letter at a time.

I recommend you continue until you have advanced through all 26 letters, jotting down names and places as you go. The alphabet will help you “walk” spatially through the associations one letter at a time.

Do you have to complete all 26-letters?

No, of course not, at least not in one go.

But I find that most people who complete this exercise need between 1-5 hours to complete it.

At the end, they have a vibrant and robust Memory Palace Network and approaches like the story method suddenly becomes much easier for them. Here are just a few Magnetic Memory Method Testimonials to tell the stories of success in their own words.

Still not convinced you can do this, or should? If so, then check out the incredible science that backs up how and why the Memory Palace technique works.

Example for the Letter A

For example, say your elementary school best friend’s name is Allen.

You can remember Allen’s home fondly, with sleepovers, and Mario Kart tournaments.

And that’s one Memory Palace you can create.

This initial memory produced by thinking of the letter “A” could lead to other memories with Allen:

• Birthday parties at the local skating rink…
• Trips to the local movie theater to see the latest Ninja Turtles film together…
• Rock concerts, etc.

Simple Memory Palace drawing “recovered” by completing this simple Memory Palace training exercise

Need more? Here are 5 Memory Palace Examples To Improve Your Memory Training Practice.

You can also see how Kevin Richardson used multiple Memory Palaces for Japanese. He’s not alone either: Sunil Khatri achieved great results when learning Japanese as well, all thanks to exercises like the ones you’re discovering now.

And you know what?

I use these exercises myself.

In this simple example with Allen, for example, I uncovered three new Memory Palaces! All from familiar places I wouldn’t have thought of at all without having completed this exercise.

Summing Up The Alphabet Exercise

Multiple Memory Palaces are available and can be unlocked with each letter of the alphabet. Use your Memory Journal to record these places, then build your networks from there.

As a bonus you’ll exercise your brain with the physical act of writing, engaging over 150 muscles in the process, and your penmanship will improve. Win win.

And if you want to turn this alphabet exercise into a 100-day Memory Challenge, consider using The Freedom Journal.

2. The Teleportation Memory Palace Exercise

Any chance you’re a Douglas Adams fan?

If so, you might be a bit wary of teleportation, as it’s “not quite as fun as a good solid kick to the head.”

Perhaps you prefer teleportation in the style of Doctor Who via transmat. Or maybe it‘s Star Trek’s transporter you prefer.

How about the the good “old fashioned” superior ability of teleportation of the X-Men’s Nightcrawler (my personal favorite)?

In all cases, the concept of teleportation in pop culture is familiar…

(And not just for Sci-Fi fans. Remember Dorothy Gale’s ruby slippers?)

You can harness that same power of teleportation in a practical way. Yes, it’s true.

But first you will need multiple Memory Palaces. This is where the first exercise, and Memory Journaling will be to your benefit.

Teleportation, in this sense, means that when you reach the end of a Memory Palace journey, you will make a logical leap to the next one.

Seek And You Will Find Natural Memory Palace “Bridges”

Just like the adventures with Allen we talked about above, you can find a natural “bridge” between two Memory Palaces.

For example, when I think about yet another Allen I know, he has a niece named Sophie.

Sophie and I were in a class with (yet) another Alan in high school. Now that classroom can “bridge” naturally with the original Allen’s home. It’s a simple matter to “teleport” between them.

Then, the more I think about this Alan and his character, the more my episodic memory gets valuable exercise. Autobiographical memory gets a boost as well. Yours will too.

If you can’t find a simple way for two Memory Palaces to relate, once again, move in a linear fashion through the alphabet.

But for practice and the benefit of this activity (which is also great brain exercise,) list in your “teleportation associations” in your Memory Journal.

Chances are, you’ll be able to come up with dozens in a very short period of time.

Remember:

Be flexible. Allow your mind to flow from one Memory Palace to the next. It’s easier than you think.

3. The “Heavy Metal” Exercise

Even though we’re talking about easy memory exercises, this is important:

Challenge yourself.

Why?

Think of memory training in the context of physical exercise.

Then think of elite level bodybuilders.

Are they able to “bulk up” without adding more weight to their routines?

Of course not.

They cannot build strength or mass without increasing the challenge of weight or number of reps.

With that in mind, think of your memory training as exactly what it is: training.

You cannot expect to improve your mental elasticity without constantly challenging yourself.

You just need to make sure you’re pushing your limits in a healthy way.

To do this, add barriers to your memory training.

Anthony Metivier with Sergio Klein during a performance in Berlin with The Outside in 2013

Example of the Heavy Metal Exercise

Here’s how:

Go to a noisy café or listen to loud music. Or combine the two by listening to loud music in a cafe.

Actively allow yourself to be in an environment full of distractions as you travel through your Memory Palaces or encode information into them.

Naturally, when you return to an ideal environment for studying, you will find you can:

• Focus with less effort
• Concentrate with greater ease
• Study for longer periods of time.

For more examples of how putting obstructions in your path can help improve your memory, check out these memory training secrets with 208 USA Memory Champion John Graham.

I was practicing this way just by coincidence on trains throughout Europe while listening to metal before I sat to compete with Dave Farrow. It helped!

To make the exercise happen:

Crank up that heavy metal in your headphones, or immerse yourself in a public place with people walking by and conversations surrounding you.

Next, encode the information you want to memorize into one of your Memory Palaces.

Decode it immediately to test the integrity of your Magnetic Imagery.

Finally, practice decoding in the most distracting circumstances possible. For example, put on loud music while in a busy cafe looking out over a street streaming with traffic.

To add yet another additional level of difficulty, add this dice-based memory drill to help dictate exactly where in the Memory Palace you’ll recall information.

You can also just practice some of these visualization exercises when you’re in the eye of the storm.

Just like a round of pushups becomes easier when you remove a weighed backpack, you will find your mind unlocked and strengthened by this challenge.

Give these three simple exercises a try along with this free memory improvement course:

Seriously:

Incorporate these techniques into your memory training exercise and you will get results.

No smoke and mirrors and no cheesy guarantee. With a little bit of intelligent work, and a little patience, you will reach your goals. You just need an unshakeable Memory Palace training routine.

What more? Check out these additional memory improvement exercises. They’re some of my favorite for mental stimulation because none of them require using an app.