If you've never seen For Love of the Game with Kevin Costner you are missing out on a great baseball movie. Cos is a pitcher in the big leagues and uses a simple verbal cue to block out the crowd during a game. The cue..."clear the mechanism".
Some call it getting in the "zone". I was fortunate enough to find this type of focus early on in my athletic career, learning how to lift and compete in the weight room in a team environment in high school. I was blessed with a coach who bred us to be true competitors, willing to fiercely compete in any situation. In the weight room, we were always asked to work out of our comfort zone. In order to insure that, we were never able to pick our own lifting groups. Coach grouped us by position, underclassmen with upperclassmen, and any other pairings he thought would create the most competitive atmosphere for growth.
Max out weeks were the best! Lots of hollering and weights clanking and records breaking. Guys getting psyched up for there lifts was normal. Everyone had their own style. When the weight starts to climb and you're trying to gather every last ounce of energy you got to achieve a good lift, you gotta get mentally ready. You gotta be able to block out the non sense going on around you and zero in on the task at hand. You gotta "clear the mechanism"!
Since joining Crossfit, I've been reminded about how much I have missed that camaraderie. I've also been reminded that I'm not in a room with testosterone fueled football players too. Some of the people I workout with don't understand why I feel the need to stomp my feet before I set up under a bar with twice my body weight on it and allow it squash me to the ground as I attempt to stand it back up or why I pace back and forth with a pissed off look on my face before I attempt to pull some heavy a$$ weight 4 feet off the floor and then try to catch it before it lands again. I'm okay with that. They haven't experienced it. They haven't been taught how to unleash their full physical potential. Hopefully, they will learn in time and we can celebrate all their unleashed awesomeness together!
If would like a more academic view on "getting psyched up", Nick Horton, the Iron Samurai, breaks it down for you.
Won't speak for the others, but I can more than assure you that I know exactly why you:
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2) Pace back and forth
3) Shut everyone out and focus on you
4) Look like someone stole your identity and your life savings
5) Scream, yell, grunt, shout
6) Bounce on the balls of your feet just as you step up to the bar
...All of this before a lift. I have a thorough understanding of why you do this. Always have. Always will. And, of course, I love to witness it and be right there in the ring with you.
Takes one to know one my friend.
I second Tommy's comment! The first few seconds before a lift are some of the most exhilarating seconds, add that to the seconds after a successful lift...bliss. Love this post and love watching your intensity!
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