Do you 'mentally prepare' for heavy deadlifts?

[CyprusDave]

And if you do, how do you do it?

Do you visualise yourself doing it? Do you think of something inspirational? Do you use music?

[induced_drag]

And if you do, how do you do it?

Do you visualise yourself doing it? Do you think of something inspirational? Do you use music?

I dont think at all... I just do it.

Prior to, on very heavy attempts, my mind races. I do the best I can to not think about it....and calm myself. The less I think about it the better. As soon as I touch the bar, I am not "thinking" anything consciously. If music is playing, I dont even hear it. I like to tug on the bar a few times and feel it bend...then I just lift.

[Paulie_G]

I mentally prepare for ALL heavy lifts. I let the music hype me up a little, then I bring it all in, like a calm before the storm. I visualize the weight going up easy, then I start rhythmic breathing before I start the lift. Like ID, I do pull on the bar slightly before starting pull on deads.

[blackd]

I think about it all day. When I hit my last PR at 405, I was looking forward to it all day. When I got to the gym, though, I just grabbed the bar and pulled it up like it was a warm-up weight. Thinking and visualizing before the gym all day, just do it when you get there.

[Smelly bull]

I typically will walk a lap at the gym, clear my mind on the lift. When i approach the bar i focus on my setup, starting with my feet then all the way to my chin. Then I lift it.

[-=FLEX=-]

I think you'd have better success by physically preparing for them rather than mentally preparing for them.

[Marius_Ursus]

I used to try to mentally prepare for them, tried to psych myself up and all that, but it never did anything for my lift. Anymore, I just don't think about, just sit, grip, and rip.

[bodyhard]

I am 100% focus on any heavy lift. I wouldn't say I mentally prepare myself, but I sure as hell am 100% focus on all heavy lifts.

There is such a thing as over analyzing a lift and you might just f'ck up if you over think it.

[drudixon]

Every lift. Try to see it, feel it before every rep.

[ilovethe80s]

I just try to stay positive, make sure I set up perfectly, take my air, envision how it felt last time the weight flew up, and go for it. Speed pulls are so important in my training for that reason, I never think about my last max pull that was slow (I only max or pull heavy every few months).

If I actually fail a dead, especially on the floor, it takes months to wipe it from memory and get confidence to put my all into a pull again, so I try to never fail in training. That's just me though, some people fail all over the place and are fine with it. And I agree that overthinking it usually spells trouble

[MichaelCJ]

Nope. I just set up, take a deep breath, and do it.

Haven't failed a deadlift yet, either. Of course, it's bound to happen, some time or other. And that'll be fine. I have failed bench and OHP, a few times. Never have thought about it (except now, to recall the fact, lol) beyond the moments that happened in. Just doesn't bother me.

Haven't failed squats either though, thus far, I'm very glad to say.

[gunny7258]

I just stay positive and try not to let fear or doubt entr my mind. Once that happens you will miss the lift!!

[hammerfelt]

No, I just stand up with the bar in my hands.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

Yes, in that I do not simply walk up and pull 4 plates.

No, in that after I chalk up, walk up, feet right, get a good deep breath and go (no sitting around.)

[OsnolaKinnard]

And if you do, how do you do it?

Do you visualise yourself doing it? Do you think of something inspirational? Do you use music?

Music is a must. Some of my favorites are "Just One Fix" by NWO, or "Yesterday don't mean $hit" by Pantera, and I do have an image in my head...I envision myself pushing the whole world away from me. I think to myself "YOU F*CKING FREAK YOU ARE SO STRONG YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH THE WORLD AWAY FROM YOU...NO DO IT!"

It may sound silly, but it works for me.

[flowxsss]

yeh i do an hour of meditation/yoga,, works like magic

[Guinea-pig]

And if you do, how do you do it?

Do you visualise yourself doing it? Do you think of something inspirational? Do you use music?

When breaking new ground yes.

I just con my mind into believing it's a load I've pulled before.

[hardNheavy2011]

If I actually fail a dead, especially on the floor, it takes months to wipe it from memory and get confidence to put my all into a pull again, so I try to never fail in training. That's just me though, some people fail all over the place and are fine with it. And I agree that overthinking it usually spells trouble

^^^^this

[DottoreItalia]

I load up my weights. Music blairing on my ears. Chalk up my hands. Throw on some Powerman 5000 or the like. Step up to the bar & grip it. Do a couple minor tugs. Let go of bar and take a step back. 2 big breaths, step up grip and rip. Works everytime so far.

[CyprusDave]

Thanks for replies.

I tried not to think about it as much last night and it went a lot better - 365x3 and 375x2.

[PapaBunny]

Heavy is realtive, but yes, I have to really think and focus on what I am about to do because one wrong motion will put me on the floor or in the ER.

I use music to hype me up, and I try to find something to focus on and stare at that one thing thru the lift.


I read a bit on intensity and weight lifting and I really try to lift that way. Even though I am not ripping the weight off the floor in any great speed I visualize it and try to move as if I am.

[dungeonmistress]

Yes! Today I used positive self-talk and good music to hit a couple of personal bests - I kept saying "I got this I got this" in my mind and told myself my mind is the only thing keeping me from getting the lifts. Today I pulled 365 x 6 in the rack-I outdid my previous best by 15 lbs and 2 reps. I was also able to 1-arm row an 80 lb db x 8 too. Was a good session.

[mal1ce]

I usually scream as loud as I can just before bending down to grab the bar and pull.....that way everyone in the gym is looking at me and if I fail I know I'll look like a tool.
















ok, maybe not.
In all seriousness though, I do have a process. 2 breathes in and out while I'm clearing my head, I don't focus on the weight. On the 3rd breath (which I hold for the lift) all the following takes place pretty much in about 2~3 seconds:
tense up my back, arms, and core
engage my legs (kind of like preloading the muscles)
Reach down and feel for the bar (I never look at it)
Pull!!!!!

[jayluk4600]

I just warm up and do it.

Serious talks with my wife.... Now that I have to mentally prepare for.

[Juggertha]

I mentally prepare for every lift.

[BloodySalad]

To me, Deadlifting is like throwing the Holy Hand grenade of Antioch.

I count to three and then lift the f*cker.

[TomB7777]

I quote scripture to myself before attempting heavy deadlifts and squats.

Phl 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength

[oldschool5919]

and if you do, how do you do it?

Do you visualise yourself doing it? Do you think of something inspirational? Do you use music?

every thing you mentioned above,but basically my rule of thumb is if i put it on the bar then i must move it.

[carbkilla]

And if you do, how do you do it?

Do you visualise yourself doing it? Do you think of something inspirational? Do you use music?

I watch Dr. Phil then I pump iron hard as I can to remember I'm a man.

Seriously, from experience, if I have to get psyched up and pissed off to lift something, that thing is going to hurt me so, I try to have some sense about it.

CK

[bigtallox]

Do you visualise yourself doing it?

No, not in the way you mean it. However, I do do "mental training" where I visualize doing my lifts, but it's not in preparation of a PR, it's just part of my training.

Do you think of something inspirational?

Not in preparation for a lift, no.

Do you use music?

I play music while training, not sure if I use it or not. Probably not.