Nervousness before a set??

[vic86]

how do you big guys deal with it?especially in the last one where 6-8reps is involved?its a different thing for guys on juice,what about natural guys like me?

[webcake]

You shouldn't really be nervous. If you question your strength/ability on the last set (or any set), get a spot. If your going heavy, don't think about what could go wrong, get in the right minsdet (positive one) and focus on what you have to do.

And i don't see how it is any different for a natural trainer versus a juiced trainer.......

[jpm101]

Do not do the exercises that make you nervous.

Do not know if this is vic89's problem but.....I have trained a few men (usually wear gloves when lifting) who had  fear of a weight being over or above them, spotters or not. Like the BP or over head presses. Self confidence may enter into this. Really holds true for squatting. Some how, some way they are going to break their backs with any weight on their shoulders. They can be OK with an empty bar for squat warmups. But put on a couple of 25's  on and you can see the fear in the eyes right away. Same with the simple DL.

Best for these timid folk to begin a 3 month machine only workout. Getting adjusted to using any type of weight is a start. Of course DB training would be the first option over machines. Including legs. Good Luck.

Side Bar: funny thing is, most women may have more confidence in BP'ing or squating than some newbee men. This I have observed many times.

[jorgen]

Whenever I am going for a new PR on squats, yes I am both nervous and excited.  I think that is natural.  It's part of pushing yourself. 

Nervous to the point of paralysis?  NO.  But a bit nervous nontheless

[pumpster]

As mentioned, a touch of apprehension would not only be natural but also a motivator, but beyond that it's not productive. The only real reason for concern is danger when the weight's heavy, in which case the spotting and/or racks have got to be in place to help if needed when lifting heavy.

[SamoanIrishman]

You shouldn't really be nervous. If you question your strength/ability on the last set (or any set), get a spot. If your going heavy, don't think about what could go wrong, get in the right minsdet (positive one) and focus on what you have to do.

And i don't see how it is any different for a natural trainer versus a juiced trainer.......

+1

[Meso_z]

how do you big guys deal with it?especially in the last one where 6-8reps is involved?its a different thing for guys on juice,what about natural guys like me?

Have a spotter, it will definately make you feel more confortable.

[tbombz]

dont lift nervous. take a break, eat more, warm yourself up, listen to music that fits your meindset while lifting... make sure your amped to lift, not afraid

[mitchyboy]

I just started useing 105s on the flat dumbell press and i get nervous every time. But as soon as i get down and start, it all disapears. Just get over it. If you have the strength, dont worry if you miss a few reps, just keep trying. A spoter is a MUST when you can get stuck, ie bench/squat. Just the other day, i about syked myself right out, had to step back and calm down then proceed to the next set. Got 2 aditional reps after calming the fuck down haha.

[dyslexic]

But, but, but Mike Mentzer said that one rep max would be the safest in theory...



now I can't remember his objective dogmatic logic to this theory. Surely it was based on the same science that flew an astronaut to the moon, or the same procedure used in a triple heart bypass.



If you are overly anxious, it means you ain't ready for the weight your gonna attempt... unless, of course, you are a long time powerlifter going for your 1RM at a competition.


If that's the case, I think all you have to do is have your GF slap you around a bit and scream at you first.. ya know, to get you nice and mad at the plates and the barbell.


I could be wrong.

[thewickedtruth]

learn to use safety cages, etc. properly and don't be too "proud" to ask for a COMPETENT spot...

and if you're not atleast a little scared, you're not lifting enough weight.. 

[benchmstr]

how do you big guys deal with it?especially in the last one where 6-8reps is involved?its a different thing for guys on juice,what about natural guys like me?

its called an "irregular heartbeat", you will probably die soon

bench

[Reign Down]

I have trained HIT to my utter max before and the anxiety that kicks in before the workout is immense, the knowledge that you are about to train with the ultimate intensity with extremely heavy weights (relatively) is a killer.

I read a great blog a while back where a serious BB described what I had felt, I am just a lifter and could not keep up that level of intensity forever, although the results were great the worry prior to workouts are ridiculous! I still workout efficiently but enjoy it too!!

As for nervousness before a set, it is a good thing on a few levels especially safety and normal, so don't worry.

ta ta

[pumpster]

I have trained HIT to my utter max before and the anxiety that kicks in before the workout is immense, the knowledge that you are about to train with the ultimate intensity with extremely heavy weights (relatively) is a killer.

Anxiety is almost unavoidable with true HIT fashion, because it's inherently brutal. Which is why most can't stomach it; suffereing is built-in to it. I think most who do HIT think they're pushing it and aren't really at the level of what it is. It's not the effectiveness or lack thereof that turns most off HIT, it's the mental and physical challenges involved if doing HIT as it's supposed to be done. Essentially a training partner is essential in order to drive the sets way over the top beyond what someone is used to or wants to do.

[Reign Down]

yes totally agree, it is on another level to your average "hardcore" workout.


A training partner who is doing as you are or who totally grasps what you are doing is essential.


I did it with my brother, we always tend to train the same, read the same literature and understood what we both needed/expected in terms of spotting/assistance.

ta ta

[Deicide]

I get nervous with anything that is potentially dangerous and/or cannot be stopped without intervention, i.e. bench and squats for example. I never have anyone to help me so...anyway.

[staydisciplined]

Be a man and power through it 

[pumpster]

I get nervous with anything that is potentially dangerous and/or cannot be stopped without intervention, i.e. bench and squats for example. I never have anyone to help me so...anyway.

That's a good reason to be nervous but to make optimal gains you have to defeat that very justifiable concern with something that reduces the risk-smith machine, a good squat rack, spotters or a machine.

It's easy to be against the smith, i used to feel the same but now i see it's value. Now I like it better for squats, just as Yates does. Dennis James who i see every day in the gym uses it for most barbell motions-incline bench, military press, etc.

[Deicide]

That's a good reason to be nervous but to make optimal gains you have to defeat that very justifiable concern with something that reduces the risk-smith machine, a good squat rack, spotters or a machine.

It's easy to be against the smith, i used to feel the same but now i see it's value. Now I like it better for squats, just as Yates does. Dennis James who i see every day in the gym uses it for most barbell motions-incline bench, military press, etc.

I am not against a smith. Just none at the moment. Safety is my primary concern so smith is good.

[pumpster]

I am not against a smith. Just none at the moment. Safety is my primary concern so smith is good.

Not saying you're against it, what i am saying is that longer-term you have to use one of the alternatives i've suggested (or something else) to overcome a justifiable concern.

[jpm101]

Wonder if Dennis James does full ROM's on the Smith?

Not against the Smith (as stated many times before..or for that matter a BowFlex) but there can be safety factors involved also. Which most people are not aware of. Though experience they usually find that out. That restrictive strength curve, that the Smith will have you lock into, can cause major problems for a lot of people when doing full ROM's. Partials (any of the 3 starting stages) will usually work better.

Seen guy's miss the pin's, with the hook setup, quite a few times on the Smith. So a spotter may be a good idea. Good Luck.

[benchmstr]

Anxiety is almost unavoidable with true HIT fashion, because it's inherently brutal. Which is why most can't stomach it; suffereing is built-in to it. I think most who do HIT think they're pushing it and aren't really at the level of what it is. It's not the effectiveness or lack thereof that turns most off HIT, it's the mental and physical challenges involved if doing HIT as it's supposed to be done. Essentially a training partner is essential in order to drive the sets way over the top beyond what someone is used to or wants to do.

you sir are not hardcore!!!!! seriously though, if i hadnt discovered the easiest way for me to get bigger and stronger i would have never stopped doing HIT.

bench

[nodeal]

Nervousness and anxiety are both common when working out. My training partner and I both fall victim to these things. It depends on the workout, but I know during leg day right before squats or leg presses I get VERY nervous and anxious! Deadlifts also cause this. Every other starting exercise I only get these feelings a little. But squats, leg presses and deadlifts really take the cake.

I think it's natural...sort of a mental preparation. When you are going to be doing a set to failure and you recognize the amount of stress you are about to put your body through, how can you not get nervous to a certain extent? I think feeling anxiety towards a workout demonstrates a true mental awareness and enthusiasm for your workout routine.

Once I get in there and do my first rep, the anxiety usually disappears.