Visualization (mildly long)

[FatherOfThree]

Who here uses visualization?

It was a big thing in the scene when I was a big boy and it seems like it has faded away, at least I seldom here it mentioned anymore (or perhaps I just haven't seen it personally lately? Maybe I have the wrong literature now..).

To me visualization is a huge part of making gains as the mind is an incredibly powerful tool.

I am not one to wax eloquently on anything, much less something as psychologically an abstract notion such as this, so let me simply say it like this: If you know you can't do it then odds are you won't do it! That's negative visualization

An example of powerlifting visualization, via over simplification, is simply knowing and seeing in your mind you, succesfully make the lift: prior to you ever touching the weight. E.G. I am squating next this weekend and I am already seeing myself move a certain weight in my mind, I know I am going to do it and by this weekend before I even touch the weight I will already have done that amount numerous times in my mind, it will get done.

My favorite method of visualization in bodybuilding is simple (I am a KISS kind of guy), and if you are looking for gains (or heck even cuts) this has always worked well for me and if you have never really tried it I would love for you to test run this for a month and then let me know if you saw more gains than usual:

When I am in the gym I try to wear clothing that exposes the bodyparts being hit. Shorts on leg days, tank top on arm days, etc. When I get good and pumped up I look in the mirror and I see what I look like and I capture that image in my mind. Then I think of that image in my mind and over the next 24-48 hours when my body is working to rebuild my body bigger and stronger I see in my mind my body taking me to that size so that I will be that big... I will be that big by the time I walk into the gym next time... I will be that big, I am growing now, I am already that big before I even get back to that body part again.

I have been making great gains in the short time I have been back in the game and I attribute a little bit of it to visualization, if others are using it I would like to hear from you.

If you have not used your most powerful tool and weapon, your brain, to your advantage yet, then spend five minutes tonight seeing yourself moving that weight, or not hurting on a movement that hurts, or keeping that swole you got on your last pump... if you can visualize it you are already ahead of the game!

Blessings,
- Fo3

[blabber]

There's a lot to be said for that. Arnold Schwarzeneggar used to say he would imagine his biceps being the size of mountains as he worked them.

Obviously worked for him!

[John Prophet]

its huge in golf

I remember reading about Ben Hogan towards the end of his career when his putting got shaky. He stood over an important put for several minutes....frozen like a statue. Finally he putted and made it.

They asked him why it took so long and he said "I couldnt see it going in"

[oldsuperman]

Originally Posted by FatherOfThree

Who here uses visualization?
- Fo3

I use it for all aspects of my life. I have for many years and it works. In training I use it. I use it in business as well.

I act "as if," and let what happens, happen. It is nothing more than faith. Action must follow faith for it to become real. Visualize it, see it, believe it, then make it happen. Faith can move mountains, yet one must believe it and demonstrate that belief by "doing" or the mountains will return! ed

[FatherOfThree]

Well I am definetly in great company in this practice!

also I liked this:

"Visualize it, see it, believe it, then make it happen"

It all starts with visualizing it, maybe this thread will serve as a small bump tp people to consciously start there

[John Prophet]

They say Ben Hogan used to also stand there before they teed off and he'd stand like a wooden Indian staring down at a specific spot way down the fairway....then when he finally teed off he'd generally hit his ball in that spot, lol.

Same with other golfers...they say the better their focus gets, the better their game gets and vice versa. They picture it in the minds eye first. Like Greg Norman was saying that instead of aiming his drive at a building in the distance he'd aim for a certain window...and then when he was focused even better he'd aim for the corner of the window, lol.

The mind can make the body create what the mind has seen etc. Thats why children are so good at mimicking things...they dont confuse it with gobbleygook and analysis..they just watch and copy

[FatherOfThree]

Originally Posted by John Prophet

They say Ben Hogan used to also stand there before they teed off and he'd stand like a wooden Indian staring down at a specific spot way down the fairway....then when he finally teed off he'd generally hit his ball in that spot, lol.

Same with other golfers...they say the better their focus gets, the better their game gets and vice versa. They picture it in the minds eye first. Like Greg Norman was saying that instead of aiming his drive at a building in the distance he'd aim for a certain window...and then when he was focused even better he'd aim for the corner of the window, lol.

The mind can make the body create what the mind has seen etc. Thats why children are so good at mimicking things...they dont confuse it with gobbleygook and analysis..they just watch and copy

Another great illustration, thanks!

& not to drift my own thread too far, lol, but kid's minds are incredible things (before the man beats them down! ) ask a kid if he can play the piano for you and he will scream "YES!" as he runs over to beat on it.... ask that same kid 20 years later and if he never took lessons or learned on his own he will respond "no" and just stand there. In a child's mind they can do anything, natural visualizers, gotta love it!

[ProOne]

Originally Posted by FatherOfThree

Who here uses visualization?

It was a big thing in the scene when I was a big boy and it seems like it has faded away, at least I seldom here it mentioned anymore (or perhaps I just haven't seen it personally lately? Maybe I have the wrong literature now..).

To me visualization is a huge part of making gains as the mind is an incredibly powerful tool.

I am not one to wax eloquently on anything, much less something as psychologically an abstract notion such as this, so let me simply say it like this: If you know you can't do it then odds are you won't do it! That's negative visualization

An example of powerlifting visualization, via over simplification, is simply knowing and seeing in your mind you, succesfully make the lift: prior to you ever touching the weight. E.G. I am squating next this weekend and I am already seeing myself move a certain weight in my mind, I know I am going to do it and by this weekend before I even touch the weight I will already have done that amount numerous times in my mind, it will get done.

My favorite method of visualization in bodybuilding is simple (I am a KISS kind of guy), and if you are looking for gains (or heck even cuts) this has always worked well for me and if you have never really tried it I would love for you to test run this for a month and then let me know if you saw more gains than usual:

When I am in the gym I try to wear clothing that exposes the bodyparts being hit. Shorts on leg days, tank top on arm days, etc. When I get good and pumped up I look in the mirror and I see what I look like and I capture that image in my mind. Then I think of that image in my mind and over the next 24-48 hours when my body is working to rebuild my body bigger and stronger I see in my mind my body taking me to that size so that I will be that big... I will be that big by the time I walk into the gym next time... I will be that big, I am growing now, I am already that big before I even get back to that body part again.

I have been making great gains in the short time I have been back in the game and I attribute a little bit of it to visualization, if others are using it I would like to hear from you.

If you have not used your most powerful tool and weapon, your brain, to your advantage yet, then spend five minutes tonight seeing yourself moving that weight, or not hurting on a movement that hurts, or keeping that swole you got on your last pump... if you can visualize it you are already ahead of the game!

Blessings,
- Fo3

Visualization was a great tool we used many years ago when training and competing. Also, some of my best lifts were done with a clear mind and not even remembering the lift after I racked the weight or getting the down signal(deadlift).

[lilbootch]

I've always tried getting a visual in my head of what I'm doing and what I can envision happening to my body as I work through my routine. Except I guess my terminology is a little different. The last thing I tell myself before I leave the locker room is "Fix The Mental"

[Forge3]

It can be powerful stuff. Shakti Gwain has some books on it that you might find interesting.

[Most Muscular]

I recall how Arnold used to think of what he would look like on stage... big and powerful! I have used the same technique before falling asleep every night as I'm going through my contest prep. I imagine what I "want" to look like... big... hard.... vascular... etc.

The mind is a VERY powerful source and perhaps it can direct itself to conform with your visions... it doesn't hurt.

nuff said...

[claycat]

Firm believer in the power of the mind!!

My signature will attest to that.

[bbbom]

When I played volleyball at college, we would actually take a few minutes prior to some practices to do visualization techniques. We'd all get pillows and go in a dark room where the trainer would walk us through a short relaxation excercise then onto a visualization. It was effective and something I've used in many aspects of my life.

I was amused when I went to a dirtbike Trials Training School a few years ago, the instructor constantly reminded us to see yourself doing it.

I have to admit that on big hillclimbs or tough technical sections of trail, on my dirtbike, mountainbike, snowmobile or whatever, if I visualize myself clearing the section I usually do fine.

My kids race motocross and I had them start using visualization when we are in the truck on the way to the race. It seemed to really help their racing and they use it in most of their activities since they have found that it does work. When my daughter was 9 yo and racing her 65cc motorcycle, we were on the way to the race and she looked at me and said "I think I can do the double." I told her I knew she could too then wondered how a mother could let her little girl do such a thing, but it's what she loved to do. I told her to see herself doing it and her big bro told her what gear to be in and how much throttle to use. Needless to say, she cleared the double in her first race (and I almost had a heartattack)!

I always remind my kids of one of my favorite saying "Wether you think you can or you think you can't YOU are right!"

[BurritoMan]

I use it quite a bit. Especially on DB pec work and lat pulldowns. On lat pulldowns I visualise the lats pulling my arms down and try not to involve the biceps.

Back in the old days I used it a lot when shooting pool. A feeling of seeing the angles and knowing it was lined up and the ball would go in, could just feel it, know it, see it. And sometimes I would know before shooting that it would not go in; that I had not achieved the connection. Back in those days a few beers and I was a much better shot mainly becasue it helped with the visualization.

I also use it in my guitar playing: I see the patterns and shapes of the notes.

[FatherOfThree]

Some great examples and some great usage in this thread, thanks all!

[jackfast1]

thanks!
too often i fear the weights and not the other way around!
i need to see myself succeeding, not only in the gym but everywhere...
i just have to keep reminding myself of that!

'you acquiesce to defeat! the board should fear your hand!'
--pai mei
kill bill2

[BergMuscle]

Big reps for this thread! I used visualization for lots of stuff in my life, and often with big success. Thanks for the reminder to include it in my current training.

[Nagalfar]

"Visualize it, see it, believe it, then make it happen" is right on target, I use it everyday of my life and it works like nothing else... Great thread, and its a needed one.. I dont think most people know or even understand the concept of visualization.. and if they want to be good at what they do, it is my opinion there is no better way of getting were you wanna be than using visualization and hard work..

[crazycelt]

Originally Posted by FatherOfThree

Who here uses visualization?

It was a big thing in the scene when I was a big boy and it seems like it has faded away, at least I seldom here it mentioned anymore (or perhaps I just haven't seen it personally lately? Maybe I have the wrong literature now..).

To me visualization is a huge part of making gains as the mind is an incredibly powerful tool.

I am not one to wax eloquently on anything, much less something as psychologically an abstract notion such as this, so let me simply say it like this: If you know you can't do it then odds are you won't do it! That's negative visualization

An example of powerlifting visualization, via over simplification, is simply knowing and seeing in your mind you, succesfully make the lift: prior to you ever touching the weight. E.G. I am squating next this weekend and I am already seeing myself move a certain weight in my mind, I know I am going to do it and by this weekend before I even touch the weight I will already have done that amount numerous times in my mind, it will get done.

My favorite method of visualization in bodybuilding is simple (I am a KISS kind of guy), and if you are looking for gains (or heck even cuts) this has always worked well for me and if you have never really tried it I would love for you to test run this for a month and then let me know if you saw more gains than usual:

When I am in the gym I try to wear clothing that exposes the bodyparts being hit. Shorts on leg days, tank top on arm days, etc. When I get good and pumped up I look in the mirror and I see what I look like and I capture that image in my mind. Then I think of that image in my mind and over the next 24-48 hours when my body is working to rebuild my body bigger and stronger I see in my mind my body taking me to that size so that I will be that big... I will be that big by the time I walk into the gym next time... I will be that big, I am growing now, I am already that big before I even get back to that body part again.

I have been making great gains in the short time I have been back in the game and I attribute a little bit of it to visualization, if others are using it I would like to hear from you.

If you have not used your most powerful tool and weapon, your brain, to your advantage yet, then spend five minutes tonight seeing yourself moving that weight, or not hurting on a movement that hurts, or keeping that swole you got on your last pump... if you can visualize it you are already ahead of the game!

Blessings,
- Fo3

I have been using using visualization tecniques (guided imagery, apreciative inquiry) in my psychology practice for close to twenty years. I have always been amazed with the "brain/body" connection, and the great results it has the potential to produce. These techniques are "right at home" for those of us who have a consistent focus on improving our physical/mental form!

[FatherOfThree]

Hey, I got more reps for this thread then anything else I have posted, glad so many folks agree and liked it!