1 Tip That Will Make You a Better Lifter

Show up

In the most essential sense it’s actually, planning out your day, getting to the gym and making it a weekly habit.


If you mastered making time for your training “showing up” will be considered being as present as possible. This doesn’t mean thinking about what you’re going to do for dinner, or utilizing your rest intervals to finish a work email, or taking calls in the middle of your session.


Showing up means to be as present as possible while you are lifting.


While lifting pay attention to 1-2 technique cues that pretends to you. Here are several common cueing examples a lifter may be focusing on during a lift…

  • All lifts – Big breath, brace hard, balance move with maximum speed/intent

  • Squat - Hips back, chest down, knees out, chest up

  • Deadlift – Straight arms, hips high, weight back, chest up, bar close, lats tight

  • Bench press – Chest high, tuck elbows, feet planted, press back, tight grip

  • Press – Elbows forward, press back, hips forward

  • Snatch & Clean – Chest high, knees out, hips then shrug, tight elbows (SN), elbows up(CL)  

  • Jerk – Weight back, knees out, staggered foot timing, punch it, 50/50 balance

 

After your set reflect…

  • Were you thinking about your cues and were you able to physically put them into action?

  • What was the rated perceived exertion?

  • How was your overall focus level?

  • How can you improve for next set?

 

This mindfulness practice allows you to be present. You give yourself permission to solely focus on what you are physically doing. Know yourself and be careful not to over analyze by asking too many questions. If you happen to attach emotion or expectations to the mix, be aware that this distorts the objectiveness of the reflection process. Thank yourself for the “critique” making a note of it and look for one thing, if anything, that you would like to improve for the next bout. With the right dosage of conscious effort lifting will become more subconscious, you will give your body the permission to complete the movement with minimum instruction allowing yourself to lift with maximum intention.