M3:D68 Push

As we got into the car I started to ask some very pointed questions. 

“How come you don't seem to have the ability to compete against yourself?”

“Why do you seem to want to take the easy way out?”

“What is it that stops you from pushing yourself harder?”

The answers I got really upset me on the inside (though I didn't let him know this).  He doesn't have the ability to compete, takes the easy way out and won't push harder because he “gets very tired.”  What the hell kind of answer is that?  So I look him in the eye (yes, we were stopped at a light) and I asked him “Why do you think they call it working out?”  He didn't get it so I emphasized again the word “working” and the light bulb came on.  “It isn't supposed to be easy” was his response.  This lead me to another point.

“If you go to the gym, have me train you, but don't push yourself, don't attempt to do better each time and always take the easy way out, you are not going to progress at all.  If you are not going to progress at all, why do you waste your time going to the gym?” I asked.

“I want to get into shape.” he replied.

This got me on a tirade. I  explained that the only way you “get into shape” is to push yourself a little further each time.  You don't let the weight psych you out, you don't let the length of the cardio session psych you out.  You push harder and harder. 

A little background.  This guy is doing a basic powerlifting workout.  One workout I have him do Squats, Bench Press and Bent Over Rows.  The next workout I have him do Squats, Overhead Press and Deadlifts.  He really got into the deadlifts from the start, but got to about 150 lbs. and stalled out.  No matter what I tried he would not get 155 off the ground (which, to me, is ridiculous since he was able to get in 10 reps at 150 lbs, so 155 lbs should come off the ground at least once).  After thinking about it, I noticed that he was using a 45 lb. plate on both sides and a 10 lb. plate on both sides to hit the 155 lb. number.  I changed things up.  I let him warm up (as always) with the empty bar.  I then added a 25 lb. plate on both sides (95 lbs. total).  He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added 10 lb. plates to both sides (115 lbs. total). He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added another 10 lbs. on both sides (135 lbs. total).  He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added 5 lbs. on both sides (145 lbs).  He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added 10 lbs. to each side (165 lbs).  He managed 8 reps with that!  That's right, he managed to not only get 10 more pounds off the ground, but hit 8 full nice reps with it.  Back to my discussion with him.

I took the time to explain that he was able to get the 165 lbs. off the floor because he didn't think the weight plates were too huge.  His brain was telling him the weight was lighter than it was.  It was 100% mental. 

We finished off the conversation with me telling him that if I'm going to train him I expect him to push.  I expect him to leave it all on the weight room floor.  I don't want him holding back. I want to see effort. I want competition from workout to workout.  I want him to set goals and then make an effort to smash them. 

After that long commentary, I am finally at my point.