FOCUSED PHYSICAL STRENGTH TRAINING
Achieving physical strength for most is going to a gym and by using a variety of exercises gain some muscle. It’s not a big deal and with an experienced instructor changes in strength will be equal to the amount of effort put in. So keep that in mind if you expect a good result. Hard training- hard muscles. Slack training-slack muscles.
But regular, hard on, hard out, training can be difficult to maintain without the right incentive, such as a particular goal perhaps involving sport, weight loss, weight gain, or getting set up for a lifetime of good health. Of course, it’s possible, to go hard out to get to a high level, but hard yards both physically and mentally on an ongoing basis will also be required to ensure there is enough input to keep it at that level.
Even so, time passes, and when the incentives are running out it follows the input and regularity of training take a hit, and it’s time to get your head around the fact that your discipline needs a serious nudge. This is where specific focus comes in to the act.
You might not have thought that specific focus can be such an active player in weight and fitness training however when the run of the mill technique is not doing such a great job of muscle building, then it’s time to get really, totally, focused. And it’s not hard. It’s about changing your whole image of training and it’s going to require you to use your head in the gym more than you have been doing. You will need to be aware of what and when to relax during the lift.
Here’s what the average lifter does with a barbell curl. You begin the lift in the usual way. Core on and start to bring the bar up. Part way up and it starts to get heavy but your whole body is straining and your head is telling you it’s too heavy. It’s hard to ignore. But it’s what you do next that dictates the result.
1. You can back off a bit and use less weight
2. You can grit your teeth
3. You can tighten every muscle in your body
4. You can use bad technique and posture
5. You can go home
Or…. when all of that has failed you can just relax….. Stand straight with knees slightly bent, head in line with your back and focus only on the biceps, the core, and the bar. Suck in some air and release as you start to bring the bar up. You are completely relaxed with the focus only on the core, the biceps and the bar. No other muscles are contracting.
You are now half way there and the biceps and core are still the only muscles taking the load. The rest of your body is still relaxed. Now remain relaxed. Just the biceps and core working. Stay that way and all that remains is to maintain total focus on completing the movement…. Let your mind, core, and biceps bring the bar up….
You’ve just completed a perfectly controlled lift.
Piece of cake……so be the crafty one in the gym and stay focused at all times.