The Mental Aspect

[fullpen]

What do you do to psyche yourself up for big, heavy lifts? When it hurts from the moment the bar is on your back. I have a plethora of things I like to do, all of them don't always work, but at least one always does.

I used to be a real fat guy most of my life, so I take the hurt and rage from that and generally get a lot of adrenaline out of it. Also, the missed opportunities I had that went along with that. Or women that shot me down or hurt me. Music can be a real inspiration sometimes. Specifically, angry chick bands :), or songs that remind me of a hurtful part of my life.

Overall, the best one for me is this: I have my own personal arch-nemesis at work and his name is Charlie. On specific eye-cue areas I wrote motivational quotes regarding Charlie. Like, "Charlie can beat you down any day" or "Your woman would rather be banging Charlie." Some of it is, by my own admission, is rather immature. But it works.

I had one thing that worked really well but I've found I can't do it. I used to think that if I didn't make a rep some type of harm would come to my child. It worked really great for awhile till one time I finally missed a rep. I was in a near depression the rest of the day. So I won't use anything like that anymore because, to me, this enters the realm of dangerous thinking.

I'm just curious if any of you have any other ideas, comments, suggestions, or other stories related to this. It is, in my opinion, the most important aspect of any type of training.

[misspelledgeoff]

sometimes I'll try to slap myself in the face, if my mind is not ready. my wife thinks i'm kind of crazy when I come home with chalk all over my face. I've been thinking of trying some ammonia caps too.

I like the idea of using some douchebag from present or past work environments as a motivator. Might have to give this one a try.

[Sami]

I just lift the fucking weight. :confused:

[Jude]

I like the idea of using some douchebag from present or past work environments as a motivator. Might have to give this one a try.
I'm with you on this one! I may break personal records!

[klir_2m]

I don't go through near as much preparation as I used to since I saw Rippetoe make fun of someone for too much "pre-squat prayer." Now, the process is the same regardless of the lift: I get in position, check my footing, take a few deep breaths, and go. There's not much mental work going on either. When it comes to squatting, I have to just ignore the almost overpowering screams of "OMG SO HEAVY PUT IT DOWN GO HOME WATCH TV" and focus on my form. Squat is definitely the hardest lift mentally, on all the other lifts my mind is relatively clear.

[Steve in ATL]

HTFU? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y)

[confuzzl3don3]

I don't go through near as much preparation as I used to since I saw Rippetoe make fun of someone for too much "pre-squat prayer." Now, the process is the same regardless of the lift: I get in position, check my footing, take a few deep breaths, and go. There's not much mental work going on either. When it comes to squatting, I have to just ignore the almost overpowering screams of "OMG SO HEAVY PUT IT DOWN GO HOME WATCH TV" and focus on my form. Squat is definitely the hardest lift mentally, on all the other lifts my mind is relatively clear.


I agree. Dam squats is by far the most mentally challenging for me.

[BCS]

I don't really get all that excited. I just get under it, get a good belly full of air and go to work.

[eekrazyk]

I usually have some high energy heavy metal music playing in the background to keep me pumped.

When going for a PR, that doesn't always cut it though. I lift at home, so sometimes I'll throw the movie Strong in and skip to the parts where someone is going all out, then stalk over to the bar and try to lift with as much energy as them.

Other times I'll think of the douche bag metro dude sporting a faux hawk at work with toothpick arms who thinks he's pretty tough because he has a six pack and 2% bodyfat. I bet he weighs about 145 soaking wet with clothes on.

Sometimes I'll pull up a video on youtube of someone lifting a shitload more than I lift.

[SamGriffin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5lEOeSeF4o

[misspelledgeoff]

yeah umm, that's not motivating. that's just fucking depressing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5lEOeSeF4o

[Gary Gibson]

yeah umm, that's not motivating. that's just fucking depressing.

Hiya, Mr. City!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAOr7LkXlkU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJRwDzODYmk

[hatmanii]

I don't really get all that excited. I just get under it, get a good belly full of air and go to work.

^^ I'm with this guy.

[Gwynn]

yeah umm, that's not motivating. that's just fucking depressing.

Well to me it's very motivating. Wow. Thanks for posting it.

[Gwynn]

Hiya, Mr. City!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAOr7LkXlkU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJRwDzODYmk

and thanks Gary for posting these. I have my work cut out for me.

[Kenny Croxdale]

I don't go through near as much preparation as I used to since I saw Rippetoe make fun of someone for too much "pre-squat prayer." Now, the process is the same regardless of the lift: I get in position, check my footing, take a few deep breaths, and go. There's not much mental work going on either. When it comes to squatting, I have to just ignore the almost overpowering screams of "OMG SO HEAVY PUT IT DOWN GO HOME WATCH TV" and focus on my form. Squat is definitely the hardest lift mentally, on all the other lifts my mind is relatively clear.

Klir method is much more productive.

There was an intersting article written by Dr Billy Jack Talton years ago about this, "The Quite Before The Storm". The essance of the aritcle was the more technical the movement the more calm you should be.

The less technical the movement more rage seems to work. The key is using it at the right time.

However, slapping yourself or having "conniption fit" is more like what Dr Henry Heatherly (a former Olympic Lifter and Strength Coach) referred to as "Psyching you psyche.

"Psyching your psyche" is somewhat like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly, over stimulation in this case. You end up using more physical, emotional and mental energy than you need.

A great example of how to apply this is a Karateka who is going to break a board. Karateka don't slap themselves in the face or run around screaming before breaking the board.

They remain cool prior to breaking the board. They execute a Kiai, a short yell, just before or duing striking the board.

Kenny Croxdale

[tmatt]

Hiya, Mr. City!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAOr7LkXlkU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJRwDzODYmk

Damm....very impressive and motivating. I really don't get how these lifters keep such a low body weight yet put up these amazing numbers. I just keep getting bigger, which is fine by me, but I've still got a ways to go before I hit a 300# bench for reps. And I'll probobly need to push my weight up to about 240 to get it. It's humbling and motivating at the same time. Oh well, better get back under the bar....

[fullpen]

It's interesting how some don't pay it any thought. It would seem to me that it would require some recognition of the fact that what you are about to do is likely going hurt, albeit in a good way, and is difficult. Acknowledging these facts and preparing yourself for the challenge seems like it would be a requirement for most. At least in my opinion.

I, personally, don't engage in any "rituals" or "prayers" either; it's just somethings I focus my mind on when I don't really want to to do it. Or need a little bump for a big lift or a PR.

[Kenny Croxdale]

It's interesting how some don't pay it any thought. It would seem to me that it would require some recognition of the fact that what you are about to do is likely going hurt, albeit in a good way, and is difficult. Acknowledging these facts and preparing yourself for the challenge seems like it would be a requirement for most. At least in my opinion.

Fullpen: Some fear of your max effort is natural and healthy. It provide you with a "fight or flight" response.

The key is to harness that energy and use it to lift more. In other word, you control it.

If you allow fear to take over, you shut down. You lose control and fear takes over and controls you.


I, personally, don't engage in any "rituals" or "prayers" either; it's just somethings I focus my mind on when I don't really want to to do it. Or need a little bump for a big lift or a PR.

Most athletes have some type of ritual they perform. As long as the ritual calms you and prepare you it a good thing. Rituals that deplete you are a bad thing.

Kenny Croxdale