Clear Your Mind

By Alexander Kang

For www.EliteFTS.com

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” —Aristotle

What should a lifter visualize before performing a lift?  Nothing.

Distractions in the mind before performing a lift will lead to self-doubt, which can lead to a failed lift. For example, the established chain of events could be:

approaching the bar = thinking about the lift = self-doubt = failure

Before a lift, I like to visualize a vast, open space of pure white. This helps me clear all thoughts and impurities from my mind. Some lifters like to use blind rage to fuel their thoughts. Although this may interfere with technique and execution, do what works for you. The point is every lifter can benefit from an intense and internalized focus before attempting a maximal lift.

Your form and setting up the lift shouldn’t be an issue because you’ve prepared and performed the lift hundreds to thousands of times before. These actions should be inherent and automatic every time you approach the bar. When introducing a new motor pattern or set up, make sure you perform it a few hundred times (or better yet, a thousand times). Engrain it into your mind before loading or lifting maximal weight. Practice and repetition will eliminate the thought process before performing a maximal lift.

You must know your gear very well. Learn all of its tendencies and how you need it to fit exactly so that it doesn’t interfere with your normal stance or position. All types of gear take a few wears to have it conform to your body. Don’t take any risks and throw on some brand spanking new gear the day of the meet. Also, some gear loses its resiliency after extended use (especially bench shirts) so be aware of this. If you notice a little spring/rebound missing from your gear, it’s time to replace it.

Use the gear that you’ve been using in the maximal weeks working up to the meet. For polyester-based equipment, you can tighten up your gear a little bit by washing it in cold water and air drying it flat on a drying rack (very important). The bottom line is that you need to claim the numbers you trained to get.

Alexander Kang is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in finance. However, he finds powerlifting much more engaging and has recently been ranked in the PLUSA’s Top 100 in the deadlift (#26) and total for the 132 lbs class (November 2006).

Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit us at www.EliteFTS.com.