The Importance Of Visualization
Great journeys may begin with a single step, but the very first step, in any journey, great or small, is to come up with the idea. The second part of the process is visualization. No matter what undertaking you decide to tackle, you must first have a visualization of the plan, the process, and finally, the execution of your plan. Unfortunately, far too often we have a grand visualization of the end result, with little thought or regard to the process and all that it entails.
Getting bigger and stronger, or leaner and more toned, is absolutely no different from any other pursuit in that regard. If you want to make a change to your physique, your health, your athletic performance, etc, you obviously first dream up the idea, secondly, draw up a plan that will see you through to success, and lastly, have a visualization of your success. This sounds great and easily done, but the missing component, often times, is the visualization of the step by step process contained within the plan. In the fitness world, that means not only visualizing every set you’re going to do, but also every rep that you’re about to perform.
I’ve been an Austin personal trainer for more than 20 years now, and I can assure you that getting under the squat bar with a 405lb load can be very intimidating for even the most experienced of lifters. It’s no different an experience for a young person, new to working out, getting under a bar with 135lbs, or 1 big plate per side, as opposed to 4 per side. Everything is relative.
The key component of success in each and every rep of every set, is visualization. If you can’t visualize yourself performing the reps as they need to be performed, with good techniques, range of motion, etc, you’re very unlikely to succeed in your workout, and ultimately, your goals.
This is where the all so important aspect of using the proper weights, that you can handle safely, marry with the mental fortitude of pushing aside your trepidations and qualms, by visualizing yourself performing the reps properly, and ultimately doing just that, once you lift that bar off the rack. Doing it, and doing it right.
This mental aspect of weight training is something that is not lost on those who have spent countless hours in the gym. A longtime friend of mine, Blayne, had some serious knee issues and was thus unable to squat, even the lightest of weights. After some corrective flexibility training with me, he was able to restart his preparations for another bodybuilding show. Don’t think for a moment that the first time he got back under the squat bar that he wasn’t a little nervous. Anybody would be. He knew the work was put in, so he was physically ready, but he then had to have a visualization of the reps. From there, it was like auto pilot. He quickly reclaimed his lost strength, trained regularly, and intelligently, and came out looking like a million dollars.
Blayne had a goal, he made a plan, he had a visualization of the whole process, and then he executed that vision to success. Leaving things to luck or happenstance is another approach, but I certainly don’t recommend it if you’re serious about succeeding.
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Andy
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