Ive concluded that im better off not looking at myself in a mirror while doing any kind of lifting.
You seem to make funny technique errors when in front of a mirror that you dont otherwise.
Also consider the fact that lifting is much more of a kinesthetic thing than a visual thing.
Hmm, I use the mirrors to check my form…and to motivate myself. I doubt someone like Phil Heath avoids the mirror. It is a “kinetic” thing…which can be monitored visually.
[quote]Field wrote:
Ive concluded that im better off not looking at myself in a mirror while doing any kind of lifting.
You seem to make funny technique errors when in front of a mirror that you dont otherwise.[/quote]
You seem to make funny technique errors in front of a mirror, and it’s actually good that you noticed the difference. Some people feel the same way and advocate avoiding mirrors, and some people (like X and myself) choose to use mirrors sometimes. Never anything wrong with learning the best way for you to train.
I’d say it’s more that over-relying on mirrors is bad. If someone needs to watch themself in the mirror to make sure their technique is on point, it’s a problem that needs addressing. Or if you find yourself putzing around using the mirror to waste time, make sure your outfit isn’t too wrinkled, or inconspicuously count some other dude’s reps from across the gym, then, of course, focus.
For example, I know that with my overhead press, when things get very heavy and I’m near the end of a set, it might feel like I’ve locked out a rep, but a quick glance in the mirror shows me that I haven’t yet. However, I’ve also had the experience of squatting in a rack that was positioned right in front of a weird angle in the wall (two slabs of mirror met, one was recessed back about six inches at the “seam”, and then it continued along the wall). So there was some funky depth perception thing going on and I actually got a bit dizzy squatting in front of that section of mirror.
I believe Brooks Kubik talked about not training in front of mirrors in “Dinosaur Training” and it has stuck with me. I’ve noticed the same thing. When I am lifting infront of a mirror I am always inclined to look at myself, which is not what I should be focusing on during a heavy lift.
For example, when I am in the hole of a back squat and instead of focusing all my energy on moving the weight up I am looking at my stupid mug in the mirror. That sort of stuff can make you miss a lift because you aren’t fully focused.
The squat rack in my gym is facing a mirror, so I put the hooks on the other side of the rack and face away from the mirror. I have found that I like it much better.
[quote]Field wrote:
Ive concluded that im better off not looking at myself in a mirror while doing any kind of lifting.[/quote] Insecurities?
[quote]
You seem to make funny technique errors when in front of a mirror that you dont otherwise.
[/quote] Or maybe you make them and don’t realize it, without a mirror how will you know? Video?
[quote]
Also consider the fact that lifting is much more of a kinesthetic thing than a visual thing.[/quote] Even when your on stage flexing?
J/k I cut mirrors out for several exercises too. I still use it when my goal is to look better and to learn better “MMC”. I’ve never been a visual or MMC person and I find not using a mirror only reinforces that. Only problem is people tend to avoid their weaknesses adn there are things to be learned from being visual and MMC.
I cut it out for balancing purposes. There seems to be a disproportionate strength difference between my left side and right side. I find cutting out the mirrors allows me to train the weak proprioception my muscles on the left seem to have with unilateral exercises.
Most in the PL forum advocate no mirrors for squat and DL (this has come up many times). I personally think video is the way to go for form checks and try and avoid mirrors for the big lifts.
[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
For example, my overhead press, .[/quote]
True there are some small things you dont notice if you cant see yourself.
For me with OHP when there is no mirror, my gaze goes farther towards the ceiling and i am more concious of getting underneath the bar.
Oddly though with (mirror) squats it seems like watching my legs open on the way up i perform pretty solid reps, when without a mirror i suppose my right leg might not open as much, causing crooked-ness.
[quote]Airtruth wrote:
Insecurities?
[/quote]
One has many opportunities to stare in a mirror and fondle thier ballsack at other times. There is no shortage of glass in our society.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I personally think video is the way to go for form checks [/quote]
Truth^
Video trumps mirror quite a bit. I have watched myself do something in a mirror many times but once i saw the same thing on video , THATS when i saw blatant flaws. Big difference.
I’ve squatted with and without a mirror, it hasn’t made that much of a difference to be honest. Although during high rep sets, I can look at myself and say “you’re a little bitch” and squeeze out one or two more reps.
I can never tell how low I am going on squats unless I look in the mirror. I know Thibs is big on not using one to get more in tune with the lift, but I still have to.
^^^ This is fine unless you want to compete. There are no mirrors on the platform and you have to know where depth is without looking in a mirror. I personally use cues from where my belt digs in to know when I have hit depth.
I use it to check my form…if you really get distracted by looking in a mirror while lifting I think youre an idiot.JMO
I videotape myself for form critiques for that reason; otherwise I’m afraid how bad I’ll lift. I’m basically just having to learn what it feels like to hit parallel. No mirrors in my shed (no place to hang 'em really, it’s just a metal building with insulation, not finished walls).
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Most in the PL forum advocate no mirrors for squat and DL (this has come up many times). I personally think video is the way to go for form checks and try and avoid mirrors for the big lifts. [/quote]
Bingo. The camera is an indispensable tool for dialing in technique.
[quote]MytchBucanan wrote:
I can never tell how low I am going on squats unless I look in the mirror. I know Thibs is big on not using one to get more in tune with the lift, but I still have to.[/quote]
CT also hates music when he lifts…which is just strange for me.
The bottom line is, do what gets YOU alone in the zone. I can be in a trance listening to music and lifting and that helps me push myself even further.
CT’s way isn’t my way and mine isn’t his. If you get help from a mirror, use one. If it confuses you to do so, then go without. But I would sure rather more people used one if possible to check form before using one at all got a bad name.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]MytchBucanan wrote:
I can never tell how low I am going on squats unless I look in the mirror. I know Thibs is big on not using one to get more in tune with the lift, but I still have to.[/quote]
CT also hates music when he lifts…which is just strange for me.
The bottom line is, do what gets YOU alone in the zone. I can be in a trance listening to music and lifting and that helps me push myself even further.
CT’s way isn’t my way and mine isn’t his. If you get help from a mirror, use one. If it confuses you to do so, then go without. But I would sure rather more people used one if possible to check form before using one at all got a bad name.[/quote]
I can’t workout in my current gym without headphones on. They play shitty music all the time and the people in there are annoying as hell. I always have someone asking me questions unless I have my headphones in.
On topic: I use mirrors on some lifts for sure. I never really make a concious effort to look in the mirror but it just happens. I don’t see an issue as long as you’re not getting distracted by yourself.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]MytchBucanan wrote:
I can never tell how low I am going on squats unless I look in the mirror. I know Thibs is big on not using one to get more in tune with the lift, but I still have to.[/quote]
CT also hates music when he lifts…which is just strange for me.
The bottom line is, do what gets YOU alone in the zone. I can be in a trance listening to music and lifting and that helps me push myself even further.
CT’s way isn’t my way and mine isn’t his. If you get help from a mirror, use one. If it confuses you to do so, then go without. But I would sure rather more people used one if possible to check form before using one at all got a bad name.[/quote]
He’s probably been subjected to the same music my gym plays.
I also don’t use the mirrors, and neither does the other lifter I work with. When we do the lift, we focus on the lift. For form we use a camera or get someone to check it out for us.
I’m also with CT on the no music thing. I gave it a try for a little and it’s working for me.
I love mirrors, especially the ones directly in front of the preacher curl. When all my fat is squashed up just so, I can almost imagine how awesome I’ll look with muscles.
I find the mirror good for single leg squats to help keep my balance and help keep my torso straight. I also find it good when Im doing overhead press with dBs, although it makes me feel dizzy if Im overhead pressing with a barbell.
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I like looking at myself in the mirror when doing sets, mainly look at my eye and think to myself some motivating shit to get the weight up, like “Come on you pussy! You wanna be the best? Lift that fucking weight!”.
But to check form… I prefer asking one of the coaches at my gym or take a cel video.