The Mental Aspect

[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.

[Gwyn Brookes]

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

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

[Gwyn Brookes]

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