I get anxious. I imagine big, cartoon style bunches of helium filled balloons tied to each end of the bar. The comedy of the situation, added to the fact that these bunches of floating balloons are obviously going to be taking some of the weight off, usually gets me through it.
big and strong are you?
One thing that I found very useful reading one of Mentzer’s books was “Develop a siege mentality”. I always remember that particular phrase when psyching myself up between sets.
What I found also works well is as indicated above - loud metal - Orange Goblin works best for squatting, Pantera for good mornings.
Gripping the bar really really hard seems to make you a whole lot stronger as well. At least it does when you make the effort to make it work.
usually i will walk around the weight room trying to collect my energy…then i will turn the intensity on…i will tighten my belt…put a lot of chalk on my hands…switch to a very intense song…start breathing heavy…take one final breath in… and do it…
you cant train at that intensity level week after week…usually, every 4 weeks, i have to tone it down for 1 week because i just don’t have the mental energy to lift heavy weights
[quote]Joe Brook wrote:
Trenchant wrote:
I actually threaten the bar under my breath. Tell it that it’s mine and there’s no way it’s staying down. I don’t shake, but I sometimes do get nervous/anxious before big lifts and this seems to help me.
I do too! I say “i gonna fucking wreck you…” under my breath… and often on squats or leg presses, where i usually do breathing sets, i say out loud “5!” when i have 5 left then, “2, TWO MORE!” when i have 2 left etc… it just confirms the ease of it. Or i say “LIFT!” when in the hole of a squat, or “UP!”
Also before a lift that i know will be challenging, not necessarily big, i give a loud “HUT!” cough kinda sound… it just focuses me well, gives me hard, tough focus… i learnt that in Taekwondo during a punch, to expell air, and for motivation i believe which all gives more force. It is like the resonance type noise the shaolin monks or whoever use that can make a drum sound from a distance…
It works for me to clear my mind and focus me at least.
What else? Ya… Breathing… especially on DB presses… i lift them, sit down on the bench and stay sat, with the DB’s on each knee… then i relax, but i do this personal breathing thing, it psyches me up and it oxygenates my blood for the lift… its what i need to do to lift near max… it works for me, and each to his own!
Joe[/quote]
Yeah, I talk to myself during sets, and that helps a lot. I’ll be like “2 more, come on!”.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
Everyone has this problem - regardless of what they might say.
It’s all mental. I have the some block when it comes to benching 315. I can bench 295 for reps, so I know that physically I can push 315, but I can never seem to muster the balls to put it on the bar.
Why? I train alone, and I have a mortal fear of getting trapped underneath the bar. Three plates is a barrier I can’t cross. Haven’t been able to for over a year.
Anyhow - I think Shugs wrote about some tips on breaking barriers.
Here’s the tip I remember: Play your favorite song - the one that gets you the most fired up - and then put a towel over your head so that your vision is blocked. Visualize yourself moving the weight, then pull the towel off, and go for it. Don’t wait - do your set immediately after removing the towel.
But then again - I am stuck at 315, so my advice is pretty worthless. [/quote]
Yeah, I remember the first time I tried deadlifting 315. When you finally get to the point of where you add 2 full 45 lb plates to each side is when the nerves get all hyped up the most. I was so nervous, but I learned from that experience and it helped me add more plates on each time. The towel thing looks like a good idea. I mean, I stare at the bending bar on the squat rack and it doesn’t scare me, but makes me nervous. I think imaging myself conquering the weight will most definitely help.
I know you would be copying Ronnie but jsut keep telling yourself “light weight”.
I like listening to the song “Your the pretenda !!! What If I say I will never surrenda !!”
I meant 405. It be nice to crack the 700lb mark. Anyways that cover of holy diver is pretty damn good. Another good song is Pantera’s Fucking Hostile.
Listen to audio recordings of the communist manifesto while you warm up and stretch.
[quote]SSC wrote:
GrindOverMatter wrote:
Listen to the Ion Dissonance album Solace
Wow, SOMEONE’s on the same wavelength around here. I did enjoy Minus the Herd better, though.[/quote]
i never listened to Minus the heard too much, but solace is absolutely perfect, drives me completely insane! every time!
lol i must look like a retard in the gym when im air drumming, air guitaring, and singing the lyrics under my breath to that album haha
[quote]
Yeah, I remember the first time I tried deadlifting 315. When you finally get to the point of where you add 2 full 45 lb plates to each side is when the nerves get all hyped up the most. I was so nervous, but I learned from that experience and it helped me add more plates on each time. The towel thing looks like a good idea. I mean, I stare at the bending bar on the squat rack and it doesn’t scare me, but makes me nervous. I think imaging myself conquering the weight will most definitely help.[/quote]
Uh… thats not 315…! Sorry. Its 225… i sure you meant 3 full plates!
Joe
Ride the tiger
You can see his stripes but you know he’s clean
Oh don’t you see what I mean
Gotta get away
Holy Diver
I know for me, I’ve definitely used most of the “psyche up” techniques mentioned in the thread. I think the absolute best thing is to have a training partner that really knows how to help get you going… whatever your own personal “style” is. Do your ritual, get set, and fuckin lift.
[quote]Joe Joseph wrote:
Yeah, I remember the first time I tried deadlifting 315. When you finally get to the point of where you add 2 full 45 lb plates to each side is when the nerves get all hyped up the most. I was so nervous, but I learned from that experience and it helped me add more plates on each time. The towel thing looks like a good idea. I mean, I stare at the bending bar on the squat rack and it doesn’t scare me, but makes me nervous. I think imaging myself conquering the weight will most definitely help.
Uh… thats not 315…! Sorry. Its 225… i sure you meant 3 full plates!
Joe[/quote]
Ehhh I kinda worded that wrong. I mean when you add a new 45 plate to each side is when I get nervous the most. In about two months or less, I might be hitting 6 plates per side for pulling. Now looking at that barbell and all that weight will be a scary thing for sure.
If your stuck at one weight, you could try putting slightly more weight like instead of 405 put 410. Sometimes just the # will fuck with your head.
Yeah, that’s true…and seeing a littler plate after the 45 pounder makes you forget about the fact you’ve just added a brand new 45 to each side.
[quote]Dirty Gerdy wrote:
Growing_Boy wrote:
yeah when I start getting shaky, I know that all hell is gonna break loose. I take a couple deep breaths, think angry thoughts and move that sum bitch. listening to Dio’s “Holy Diver”.
off topic a bit but look up killswitch engage holy diver cover. You will not be dissapointed.
Gerdy[/quote]
Esoterica - Don’t rely on anyone
Guano apes - open your eyes
Fort Minor - Remember the name
I also really like the Team America Theme.
[quote]Ratchet wrote:
Dirty Gerdy wrote:
Growing_Boy wrote:
yeah when I start getting shaky, I know that all hell is gonna break loose. I take a couple deep breaths, think angry thoughts and move that sum bitch. listening to Dio’s “Holy Diver”.
off topic a bit but look up killswitch engage holy diver cover. You will not be dissapointed.
Gerdy
Esoterica - Don’t rely on anyone
Guano apes - open your eyes
Fort Minor - Remember the name
I also really like the Team America Theme.[/quote]
Team America is the best. That would be hilarious to listen to while lifting. I would be laughing so hard, I wouldn’t even be thinking of how heavy the weight is. Nice idea.
This is REALLY sad, but sometimes i listen to bodybuilding and fitness podcasts in the gym… usually only when doing cardio though.
I hate having something in my ears when grappling with a Barbell for some reason!
J