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.