psychological preperation for a max lift

[jeremys]

if a person is readying for a max attempt on any lift, and they think they can't/won't get the lift, i'm sure we all agree that they probably won't get it.

now, how do you keep that from happening? i've heard many people say they don't like psyching up often because they're afraid the effect will dwindle over time.

i think this is where static holds have a place. if you've handled a heavy weight before, and maybe even handling it often, i'm sure it would instill confidence.

are there any methods out there? only thing i can ever remember hearing about is visualization. if you dont know what that is, it's basically imagining(believing) you make the lift visually, before you attempt the lift.

i'm sure aggressiveness is key, but i'm not saying you have to headbutt the bar and spill blood all over the place. you can be calm and still be aggressive. i find it hard to do this a lot of the time

 

[DBCooper]

Be determined and focus, nothing can happen that can't be fixed by a good doc', try finding something that you absolutely HATE-then hate the bar and tear it off the floor or squat it so quick you'll break the bar. Think about people kicking your ass-or killing your dog/girlfriend, or that some piece of crap might do the lift and you can't-then just lift the f@ckin weight.

 

[Thaibox]

Headbutting and bleeding all over the bar sounds good to me

I've tried calm visualization, empty mindedness, straight aggresiveness, etc. But, the only thing that works for those insanely intimidating singles for me is this....(kinda graphic)

I blast my walkman to help take myself out of the gym. I visualize my girl crying as some big piece of shit is just about to try and do something to hurt her. I picture her eyes and hear her cry.

After doing this I swear I don't fail. I actually get my subconscious to believe the situation and react to it.... I get it to seem so real that I actually get a huge adrenaline rush through my body, and once that hits I move. The only problem with it is that I have to calm down for a little bit afterwards. But for those few seconds, there is no weight too heavy.

The other problem I find with this is, if I do actually fail(unusual), I have to release the anger somehow, so I usually throw plates, or beat up machines or squat cages, then stamp off into the locker room with bleeding knuckles and forearms like a freak.

 

[casualbb]

Here's a couple good articles on what you can do to help maxing out, both physiologically and psychologically:

Creating Peak Performance On Demand

Short- and Long-term tricks for increasing 1RM

-casualbb

 

[TheOak84]

i jsut tell myself dont be a cunt and lift the weight... it works

 

[slobberknocker]

I used to go nuts, but it was actually making my form suffer. Here's what I do now:


Think back to a time in the past when you made the perfect lift. When you did everything right. When you couldn't even feel the weight, it was so easy. Put yourself back in that place. See the sights you saw then. Hear the sounds you heard then. Experience what it felt like, when you were making that perfect lift.


Then, just recreate that experience.

 

[Lee]

visualization is everything to me. if i can see myself doing and i nkow i can, ill do it.

 

[collegiateLifter]

just find a good way for you to get in your zone. I am working on visualisation + aggression right now myself.

 

[jeremys]

these are all pretty good replies, thanks.

i'm just concerned with wether or not the effects of some of these 'psych-ups' will wear over time. dont want that to happen

 

[edgecrusher]

I just talk to myself as I am getting ready to do the lift. Basically, I'll just reassure myslef that I'm strong enough to get the lift, my technique is perfect, and I'm more powerful then the bar.

 

[Tony104104]

Blasting some Metallica, Slipknot, Static X or Cannibal Corpse usually does it for me...

 

[Lee]

Blasting some Metallica, Slipknot, Static X or Cannibal Corpse usually does it for me...

i was about to say that, hehe
i find music pumps me up a lot, too bad i dropped a dumbell on my discman a few months ago, hehe

 

[Tony104104]

too bad i dropped a dumbell on my discman a few months ago, hehe

I hear ya bro...Same thing has happened to me twice ...

 

[satchboogie]

think of your worst enemy as he's fucking your mom and smiling about it while you're trapped in a cage a cage.

let that simmer for 10 seconds in your head and literally psyche yourself up.

by the way... I HAVE NO PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS, SICKNESSES, ILLNESSES, OR ANY HISTORY OF CHEMICAL IMBALANCES.

 

[argent]

Getting slapped in the face and ammonia help.

 

[Lord_Suston]

relax and realize the weight is not that heavy others a re doing more and just lift, No need to psyche oneself up. Sometimes having a good spotter will boost one's confidence greatly.

 

[Lee]

yea i noticed having a good spotter boosts my confidence a lot, me and my workout partner spot each other on bench, and even having his hands close to the bar but not touching it helps me immensly.

 

[Baoh]

I'm all about mental imagery. I'm not usually thinking about saving someone, though. More along the lines of crushing an enemy or experiencing a huge degree of bodily damage and continuing a task.

 

[slobberknocker]

Yesterday when I was deadlifting I hallucinated and thought I was a Viking warrior. Odin! Odin!

 

[coolcolj]

I use visualisation, works good

 

[louden_swain]

I use visualisation, works good

Thats what I do. . .to me thats all I need.

 

[spatts]

I've been wanting to post on this thread, but have been unable to do so, simply because I can't put into words what I feel before a lift. I can tell you I don't operate on anger, and there are probably some religious aspects (yes, if you can believe) that go into the intensity of the situation.

Visualization is a must.

On the other hand, I would encourage you to see those times of internal doubt as a tool. When you walk up to that bar, and you don't feel like you're going to make it, and you lack drive, and you miss...think about what that brews inside you. Think about how that disappointment will move another barbell down the road. Sometimes you have to feel weak to appreciate, and revel in, the times you are strong, and seek those times out rather than letting them pass. One door closes, and another opens.

 

[Nonerz]

Well said spatts...my softball coach in college would have us take time during practice to visualize our performance. She had us all read a book that talked about the mental part of baseball.

The book went on to talk about when you're in "the zone" and everything is a green light. You aren't consciencly thinking, "that's a green light." Instead, you are cruizing along, doing what you've practiced over and over. When you make an error, or strikeout...those are yellowlights. It's something that interrups your flow, but it doesn't stop you. The red lights are not good. You've been beaten mentally...time to regroup!

Sorry for the baseball analogy...but that's how I relate to "psychological preperation." It makes sense that this would carry over into any sport that requires mental focus (can't think of any that don't right now). Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[little chris]

I remember at my 1st powerlifting meet. I was 20yrs 146lbs and I completed a bench of 275lb and a bad squat of only 285lb so I really had to make up for it on the Deadlift. I asked for 393lb which I did once before and hurt my back.

At the last min (this is really silly) I pictured the weight laughing like I can't lift it. I asked for 15lbs more for a total of 408lbs. I grabbed the bar as tight as I could screamed and jerked it up with my back pulling my back out midway up but still completed the lift. It was a very stupid move but it worked. I was able to place 3rd.

 

[jeremys]

thanks for the replies

 

[slobberknocker]

I visualize my girl crying as some big piece of shit is just about to try and do something to hurt her. I picture her eyes and hear her cry.

This works. I tried it today. Except I pictured my mom, since I don't have a girlfriend.