Approaching the bar

[Thaibox]

1. What is going through your mind?
-void of all thought entering a zen-like state of non-being?
-visualizing the task ahead feeling the pain?
-visualizing something that would fire you up to perform?

2. How do you approach the bar?
-Calm and focused?
-Angry and driven to the brink of insanity seeing only red?
-Do you walk up to it slowly and carefully?
-Do you start at the opposite side of the gym, running full speed, yelling war cries and pounding your chest knocking over anything in you path of fury, then violently attack the bar?

Are you consistent with the way you approach a big lift, or does it vary?


I personally find my best way is to calmly visualize someone hurting my fiancee. I can see her face crying and asking for my help. By doing this, I can actually create a pretty big adrenaline pump as if the situation was in front of me. At this point there basically is no failure, ever. The bar goes up no matter what.

I've always wondered what goes through some of your heads, and how you start your lift.

 

[jeremys]

at my bench competition, i was cool and collective, since it was my first time. the first 2 lifts i'd forget things like arching my back or even pausing the bar. i took it very calmly

 

[zackdarnell]

1. What is going through your mind?

-visualizing the task ahead feeling the pain?
I visualize myself successfully completing the lift.

2. How do you approach the bar?

-Calm and focused?
-Angry and driven to the brink of insanity seeing only red?
A combination of the 2. I am calm and focused, yet I am also pumped up and ready for the lift.

 

[spatts]

1. I approach the bar and visualize...but not pain. I see what I'm about to do. I play the lift over in my head, and make note of all the factors: head up, tight core, drive forward, pull back, speed, SPEED, SPEED! Then nothing...blank. Look down, center hands over bar. Look back up. Then in one fast move, visualize the grip and rip, then grip and rip.

2. No anger. I associate anger with losing control, and that makes me feel weak. Just tunnel vision, and a serious agenda.

Consistant.

 

[RusPA81]

I used to try to get my self angry, but that never worked. I usually jump up and down a few times to get a burst of energy(I only do this on my real heavy sets). When I get under the bar I just visualize the bar going up.

 

[spatts]

I think it's interesting to note that for those of us who HAVE responded, we each assumed, without saying, that we were talking about a paricular lift. I love to deadlift, and without a second though, my mind went to that. Looks like JeremyS is a bencher at heart...is squatting your thing Rus?

 

[Thaibox]

I think it's interesting to note that for those of us who HAVE responded, we each assumed, without saying, that we were talking about a paricular lift. I love to deadlift, and without a second though, my mind went to that. Looks like JeremyS is a bencher at heart...is squatting your thing Rus?

Intriguing observation. Thats what I was basing this on, although I never said it.

 

[RusPA81]

I think it's interesting to note that for those of us who HAVE responded, we each assumed, without saying, that we were talking about a paricular lift. I love to deadlift, and without a second though, my mind went to that. Looks like JeremyS is a bencher at heart...is squatting your thing Rus?

I have always loved to bench, probably because I have always been good at it. I never really liked squats but still did them because I had too. I started doing deadlifts a few months ago and I fell in love with them. My body never grew like it did before I made them a regular part of my routine. This in turn made my squat better and I enjoy that now much more too. The bench press is my forte though however deadlifts are closing in.

 

[zackdarnell]

I think it's interesting to note that for those of us who HAVE responded, we each assumed, without saying, that we were talking about a paricular lift. I love to deadlift, and without a second though, my mind went to that. Looks like JeremyS is a bencher at heart...is squatting your thing Rus?

That is an interesting observation. But I bet you can't guess what my best lift is, can you? I wasn't very descriptive, though.

To prepare for a big lift, I visualize myself completing it. I dont visualize pain, and I dont visualize myself struggling. I concentrate completely on successfully making the lift. Then, I walk up to the weight, get under it, unrack it, step back, and go.
Now I bet its a little more obvious- I'm a squatter at heart.