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mind games part 1

baymaster Posts: 112 Joined: 2003/02/11	2003/03/13, 05:04 AM It has to be said that the mind plays an important role in your quest to make the best possible gains in the gym. I know bbfit posted a similar post regarding the importance of motivation but i think we all can take it to another level. I always remember a great article i read about Arnold swarzenegger (hope i spelt that right!) where he was struggling with calf development. Now did he change his routine to aid progress?...did he start piling on more weight?. No, he simply cut off the bottom of his sweat pants at the knee and strolled into the gym where he was greeted with howls of laughter. This is a great example of how to use you mind to improve your motivation - everytime arnie looked in the mirror he saw these crap calfs looking at him - this in turn made him hit his calfs like they had never been hit before. I am not suggesting for one minute that we all go to the gym with cut off sweat pants (could catch on? :]) but we can overcome training problems with smarter solutions. I will quote Arnie....."we cant continually work harder in the gym, there comes a point when we have to work smarter. Never a truer word has been said - muscles are smart and resiliant to stress and exercise, the key is to be one step ahead of body at all times and playing with your head from time to time is a great way to progress. Anyway, im off to the gym with my new modified sweat pants! goodluck and goodbye from the baymaster
baymaster Posts: 112 Joined: 2003/02/11	2003/03/13, 07:10 AM just on the point of working your calfs - in the same article by arnold he suggests doing calf work in your bare feet. The idea behind this is to improve the full range of motion which can be sometimes restricted by training shoes. I tried this yesterday and must admit to getting a few funny looks from the other gym members - but you know what?...i can hardly walk today - my calfs feel like concrete! simple changes can make all the difference!! This technique is not advisable if you suffer from smelly feet :] keep learning.....
dahayz Posts: 794 Joined: 2002/05/08	2003/03/13, 10:48 AM Hey baymaster, I totally agree with the barefeet leg training. I take it a step further though. On my leg day, I do my entire workout with barefeet. What a HUGE difference it feels to squat. You are completely touching the floor with no shoe pads to interfere with balance. I can't and won't train my legs with shoes on again. I also do deadlifts with barefeet. Weird? maybe, but man does it work.
I_Am-aZon Posts: 893 Joined: 2003/02/18	2003/03/13, 03:02 PM Well said baymaster Nice post...I just hope you don't use the same method for training your glutes! lol Sorry - couldn't resist.
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2003/03/13, 05:27 PM Very good point. Its great when the mind connects with the muscles. Nice post again! -------------- Peace on earth Ivan Montreal Canada
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/03/13, 05:33 PM Good post Baymaster......I remember that article well. Motivational post. Thanks.... -------------- Failing to plan is like planning to fail!
baymaster Posts: 112 Joined: 2003/02/11	2003/03/14, 05:06 AM lol i-am-azon......i never rule anthing out!!
pleyroy Posts: 42 Joined: 2002/06/19	2003/03/19, 03:25 AM Isn't it better to do any lifting, like deadlifts, with shoes on? I heard it helps support the arch in your foot or something. -------------- The foolish reject what they see...the wise reject what they think.
dahayz Posts: 794 Joined: 2002/05/08	2003/03/19, 09:31 AM it all comes down to preference, if you feel comfortable with shoes on, than good for you, if you prefer shoes off, good for you to.
tew Posts: 51 Joined: 2002/08/23	2003/03/28, 10:32 AM My driving instructer is a amature hypnotist and he said that he has helped some of his friends when they reached there plateau, he was saying something about constantly visualizing the body shape you want and you will get there. He also said something about hypnosis can help train your body by not even going to the gym, something like you think of something that you do every day and lets say for arguments sake answearing the phone you imagine that you are lifting a huge weight and this is ment to work because your subconcious cant tell whats reality or not..... I found it quite intresting but I think it could be good for focusing happy lifting -------------- Only champions enjoy pain