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Many of us would like to be able to lift large sums of weight. Some of us would like to increase our bench press weight, some want to lift more for the deadlift.
Whatever our goal, many of us that walk in the gym and tell ourselves that we want to lift more weight on our bench press, as an example, are very excited about putting more plates on the bar and reaching a new goal.
Many of us, however, are not in the right mind set. We walk over to the bench and load the bar up with the plates that we need to put on the bar to have an increase in the amount of weight from the previous workout and stare at the weight on the bar.
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Many Of Us Would Like To Be Able
To Lift Large Sums Of Weight.
Preparing Yourself
In our minds we ask ourselves, "Is this too much weight?" We may also think to ourselves, "Maybe I should take some plates off because I am not sure I am ready enough to lift this weight."
This is exactly why we do not get anywhere and do not make any progress to increase the amount of weight we lift. We put the plates on the bar, warm-up for a minute by doing some light calisthenics, such as pushups, and instead of just diving right into the weight and lifting it we ask ourselves whether we can lift the amount of weight, whether we are strong enough or ready enough.
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The answer is simple: You may be ready physically but you are not ready mentally. For me lifting big weight is a combination of mental preparation and physical preparation. It is ninety percent mental and ten percent physical. In order to lift a big amount of weight you need to be mentally prepared as well as being physically prepared.
Before you attempt to lift the weight, think about everything that goes into lifting it. How many reps would you like to complete, how fast you will be lifting the weight and what you need to do to help you get the most out of your lift.
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Before You Attempt To Lift The Weight, Think
About Everything That Goes Into Lifting It.
Drink Some Water:
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First things first, before you lift the weight make sure that you drink some
water. Water is very important because you cannot lift a big amount of weight without proper hydration, heck, you cannot lift at all without proper hydration.
In this case, where you are attempting something even more physically demanding than just lifting any old weight, you need to make sure that you are especially hydrated.
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Warm-Up Your Muscles:
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After you are sufficiently hydrated make sure that you do some light
warm-ups to get your muscles loose and warm. You could maybe do some
pushups and/or do a few sets of
bench presses with lighter weight, it is your choice, and so as long as it properly warms you up for the big lift.
Remember that you are only warming up, not trying to fatigue your muscles. Maybe some light two-sets-of-fifteen reps for bench presses and then two-sets-of-fifteen reps for pushups.
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Remember That You Are Only Warming Up,
Not Trying To Fatigue Your Muscles.
Lift That Weight!
After you are properly hydrated and sufficiently warmed up it is time to lift that weight that you are so excited about. Now is the time, this is your time, do it for yourself. Do not think about it, in the words of Nike, "Just do it!".
When you think about how heavy the weight is and the possibility of it being too much weight and if you are ready or not, you can seriously drain your confidence levels and you suddenly feel powerless. You are defeated before you touch the bar. Do not let this happen.
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Tell yourself over and over, "This weight is nothing," or "I am going to destroy this weight." Once you have told yourself this over and over and just dive into the weight and start lifting it, you will feel full of confidence and be surprised at what being mentally prepared can do.
Not letting the weight defeat you before you lift it and being mentally prepared is the key to increasing the amount of weight you lift. Nelson Mandela: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
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You Will Feel Full Of Confidence And Be
Surprised At What Being Mentally Prepared Can Do.
Conclusion
So I say go for it and lift the big weight. After all, you can do it, you have strength, you are courageous, there is not anything that you cannot do, and you have ultimate confidence! Remember, lifting big weight is ninety percent mental and ten percent physical. It is just you, the bar and the weight.
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Author, Denmark Harris: "Remember, Lifting Big
Weight Is Ninety Percent Mental And Ten Percent Physical."