90%+ of Powerlifters Skip This (and it’s Costing Them Progress)
One of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal is your mind.
One of the most destructive tools you have at your disposal is your mind.
Early in my training career, I focused a LOT on the physical aspects of training. Training programs, technique, bracing, muscle activation, etc.
Those are very important things to consider in getting strong BUT they operate on the assumption that you can picture success at the following levels already:
- set-to-set
- overall workout
- daily and weekly habits
- long term vision
In the last ~5 years of coaching, I’ve really began to add in a focused mental training aspect to my practice – not just for competitive or high level lifters, but also for “regular” lifters who just want to get strong.
An easy starting point for this is to use the tool to build good technique.
Most lifters have felt the “perfect” rep at least once but they fail to get the majority of their reps feeling like that.
And if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Every time they are trying to dial in technique, they’re chasing some elusive idea with a bunch of iron on their back that’s trying to crush them.
Practicing technique when you’re not under the bar is actually where these lifters should start.
Before the workout, set aside 5 minutes. Take 2 to sit and clear your head. Think about whatever comes to mind. Once the “noise” quiets, then create 2 mental pictures of your set. Little videos, if you will.
Video 1: Envision your “perfect rep” on a lift from the 3rd person. It should look like training footage. Pay special attention to the specific technical components of the lift that you are trying to improve. Watch that rep a couple times.
Video 2: Envision the same “perfect rep” but this time in a first person view. Rehearse your cues, take special note of how the bar feels, how your body feels during the lift, what the air sounds like, etc…. Try and paint the most granularly detailed and precise picture of your perfect rep.
This all seems a bit “woo” at first, but with 5 minutes of dedicated practice before a session, you can significantly improve your training outcomes, meet performances, and even technique consistency.
3. Apply to join my “Momentum Program” and become a case study. We’ll work with you 1-on-1 (in-person or online, depending on location) to consistently increase your PRs.
It takes less than 60 seconds to apply HERE in order to find out more information and see if you’d be a good fit.