Zach Homol – @ZachHomolPower
Lifting weights, especially lifting HEAVY WEIGHTS, requires some amount of intensity. From my observations, relatively speaking, the heavier the weight, the higher the intensity. Strength training and intensity go hand in hand. You’ve gotta bring it! But, does intensity ever become counter-productive? I personally don’t think so. Rather, the lack of ability to control ones emotions can become counter-productive when it comes to training at high intensities.
Why? Often with an increase of intensity comes an increase of emotions. We are high-emotioned beings and, whether we want to believe it or not, our emotions have the ability to control our daily actions. Think about this: If you’re in a great mood you’re typically smiling, bee-bopping around, sharing laughs, etc. Your actions identify your emotions. When you’re upset on the other hand, often the “pep in your step” goes away. Your face drags, it’s hard to crack a smile as you sit/ stand with your head hanging. Our emotions play a major role in our actions. Making this “real life” observation has served me well in the IRON GAME.
Have you ever seen the guy in the gym who is so hyped up before his lift? You know, walking around grunting, yelling, smacking himself in the face to get HYPE? Nothing against this guy, shit, I’m him from time to time, but, I’ve seen this guy beat himself more times than not! What happens is the athlete/lifter gets so caught up in the hype of the lift that they forget how to properly execute the lift. This particular lifter is usually willing to do whatever it takes to get the weight up. Yet, they struggle to maintain composure which, if they do will, in more times than not, project the lifter to completing the lift. Now the lifter is all hyped up, screaming, grunting, jolting on the bar right before he starts the lift then BOOM! THEY BLOW COMPOSURE AND RUSH INTO THE LIFT OUT OF POSITION. Not only is the lifter out of position but typically aren’t properly bracing due to the fact they’re half out of breath from screaming and the unnecessary panting that comes along with it. Emotions run wild, WHATEVER IT TAKES, the lifter is willing to break their back to complete the lift, if only they were able to control emotions, they wouldn’t have to “break their back.”
This is where intensity can become counter productive; when it is not controlled. I truly believe controlled intensity can be a weapon. Having the ability to maintain composure through extreme pressure is a quality I’m sure anyone would love to have. I believe we all can carry this trait, but we have to work on it. We have to learn to raise our emotional capacity to be able to withstand the next WEIGHT or OBJECTIVE in front of us.
-How much pressure are you going to be able to take before you allow your emotions to control your actions?
-Will you be happy next week with that emotionally charged decision you made on the fly that disrupted a relationship or opportunity for you?
-Will you be able to handle the pressure that comes along with your GOALS/DREAMS?
-You will. Practice raising your emotional capacity and you will set yourself up for much larger lifts, goals and dreams!
WinTheDay
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