What do you visualise before starting your lift?

SuprSi

I'm curious to know what you focus on just before you start your lift/set? I always try to picture a big number which represents the number of reps I need to complete a particular set though I don't know if I'd be better focusing on me finishing the set or something more tangible.

abceire

i always focus on doin g the lift in my head 1st ,doing it good and strong ,and if its something like shoulder press i picture having to hold onto the bar at the top of the lift because i m going to lift it with such power i dont want to it to fly off into the air,i m a big believe in this kinda thinking before a set,if you think you wont do something or be able to then you probably wont do it, i like to think of people who ve annoyed me too in the day or in the past,use the anger let it out

kevpants

I'm just about to leave for the gym to go for the biggest PR of my life and I've 750ml of Monster energy drink in me (250ml to go!) and I'm probably going to be visualizing future civilizations because I'm beginning to see through time.

I also typed this paragraph in less than a second

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d'Oracle

I don't visualise anything.

I focus on my form....
Maybe I'm just too much of a novice.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Because visualization as a training/competitive technique has been shown to work, and work very well.

Personally I visualize myself in a Judo fight, I'm almost completely spend but all I require is one more big attack and I've won.

Years ago when I was bodybuilding I tried imagining each and every nerve and fiber burning up, breaking down and 'switching onto growth.

So far as I can recall Arnie talks a lot about the importance of this technique (visualization) in 'Education of a Body Builder'.

Very good question, I hope your thread is not ruined by people trying to come up with smart arsed, half funny replies.

Brian?

Depends on the lift. When squatting I visualise myself stuck under the bar and my escape method, then I put all my concentration into avoiding it.

podge57

Don't really visualise anything before lifting, although I do alot of visualisation (aka daydreaming) during the day

Hanley

kevpants wrote: »

I'm just about to leave for the gym to go for the biggest PR of my life and I've 750ml of Monster energy drink in me (250ml to go!) and I'm probably going to be visualizing future civilizations because I'm beginning to see through time.

I also typed this paragraph in less than a second

hcbeecboibiefbckjbreocnwlkenxokewnojcbrejcbjkebcjebrkjcbbkbwdbc

Someone's had WAY too much caffeine. Send me a text and et me know how it goes!!

itsallaboutheL

d'Oracle wrote: »

I don't visualise anything.

I focus on my form....

me too..

Magic Eight Ball

Visualise nothing, focus on form.

bigstar

dont visualise anything, just have a little psyche up before hand. get myself set properly and then go.

Remmy

I could visualise myself competing the lift once or twice but most times i just try to imagine what good form feels like and go with that if that makes sense.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Either psych myself up, or else visualise who I want to look like, or people who have pissed me off. Whatever gets me through the tough parts!

BossArky

briankeating wrote: »

Depends on the lift. When squatting I visualise myself stuck under the bar and my escape method, then I put all my concentration into avoiding it.

If you are trying to visualize something then go for a positive instead of a negative. Instead of picturing yourself squashed and having to escape you could try picturing yourself with massive thighs and powering the weight up.

This is what Tom Venuto mentions in "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle". Apparently positive thoughts help, but thoughts of avoiding bad situations don't.

abceire wrote: »

if its something like shoulder press i picture having to hold onto the bar at the top of the lift because i m going to lift it with such power i dont want to it to fly off into the air

I don't visualize anything ahead of a lift. I'll try the above tomorrow on Military Press day.

SuprSi

So for those of you that don't visualise anything other than good form, how do you get yourself pumped enough to get the last lift? When I've increased the weight on a lift, and I need to push harder to finish the set, I have to be really fired up. I find the same with most of the energy driven sports I play, like Squash and Soccer. I can focus on good technique, but generally I play best when I'm fired up. That way I don't need to think about good technique as it just happens.

Does focusing too much on technique not take away some of the drive needed to finish the set, or is it better to be fully sure that your form is correct?

Actually, I know the answer to that question! :pac: