Originally published, 1922.
Only cutting edge "new" material allowed here on TTSDB.
Only cutting edge "new" material allowed here on TTSDB.
The human mind and spirit have fantastic power. Not one person in a thousand makes full use of his capacity for determined, sustained effort in areas where he would like to better himself, or where he could enrich his life through a fuller, more concentrated use of his spiritual resources.
People tend to sell themselves short, to give up, to call it quits and throw in the towel before they've even begun to tap the latent strengths within themselves.
Most bodybuilders are no exception to this unfortunate fact. As a result, they derive only half of the possible benefits from their training that they otherwise could. They fail to muster that extra "something" -- that intangible burst of determination that would see their strength and development surging ahead in leaps and bounds.
The few who have learned to tap this inner strength are indeed fortunate -- but this article has been written for those who haven't, in order to teach them how it's done. It may well prove to be the most important factor for success that you'll ever learn in your bodybuilding career.
Weightlifters, bodybuilders and powerlifters can all benefit from the intelligent application of mind power in their training. This is no mystical jabber either. It really works. Anyone who discounts the mental side of lifting is cheating himself.
In case you're doubtful, let me tell you about a personal experience of mine -- the one that drove home the importance of the mind in physical training . . .
Some time ago I had reached a sticking point in the press behind neck. I was stuck at the same poundage that I had been using for two weeks. The press behind neck is one of the basics, one of the most important exercises, so I wanted to keep pushing the resistance up for better results. I use 4 sets of 8 repetitions with a heavy weight. That makes the last couple of sets pretty rough. At the beginning of my next workout I was determined to FORCE myself to handle more weight.
To put it bluntly . . . I was angry at myself. It seemed only logical to me that seven workouts with the same weight should have prepared my shoulders and arms to handle a heavier weight. As I was to discover, my idea at the time that the sticking point was a mental one proved to be correct.
I began my workout. After the warmup, heavy seated curls, and some light lateral raises, I was ready for the press behind neck. I looked down at the barbell and began to experience a slight degree of tension. During the previous weeks I hadn't really thought about the exercise. I just lifted the weight and ran through the repetitions. But knowing the weight was heavier MADE me think! My mind anticipated a greater effort and it unconsciously prepared my body for a greater output of energy. I KNEW that I would fight out each and every rep of the set. I was determined. I HAD to boost the poundage for greater gains, I told myself, and I blocked out everything else in the world except for the exercise I was about to do. I told myself, I ORDERED myself -- I'd make it. I HAD TO MAKE IT!
At the time I was using auto-suggestion without even being aware of it.
I bent forward, fastened my hands on the bar, and brought it suddenly over my head to rest momentarily behind my neck.
The first set began.
I rammed the bar up as hard and fast as I could in good form.
Silently and quickly I counted out the reps . . . the set was done!
I followed the same procedure for the next three sets, and when it was over I had learned a lesson: You can do it if you want it badly enough.
Many trainees reach what they believe to be their limits in squatting, bench pressing and what have you. But they only THINK that they've reached their limit. If they are absolutely determined to to go all-out, they can go a lot further than they've ever dreamed possible!
See yourself in your mind's eye performing the full set in perfect form. It works with every exercise.
Succeeding in lifting is similar to succeeding in any field. You've got to believe in yourself. You must cast aside all doubts and approach each workout with a granite wall of confidence and determination behind you. If you fail to do this, then you're only lessening the results and rewards that could be yours with each workout.
Auto-suggestion is the trick. It's the secret that will enable you to tap the powers of your mind and spirit, and use them to boost your physical efforts.
Competitive weightlifters in the championship classes know the power of the mind when it comes to making a record lift. When a top weightlifter approaches the Olympic bar and pauses for a moment to look at the weight and meditate, he sure as heck isn't thinking about his income tax returns! He's harnessing the tremendous source of mental power that will enable him to explode every ounce of effort in getting that weight overhead. He tells himself that he'll do it. He KNOWS he'll make it. It's life or death! He's going to drive that weight up and no "buts" about it.
Take a tip from the Olympic stars . . . Use Your Head!
Enjoy Your Lifting!
Brad Steiner wrote ...I blocked out everything else in the world except for the exercise I was about to do.
ReplyDeleteI now train at home instead of a commercial gym, I find I have much better workouts without any music in the background. I have never bothered with headphones/headsets.