I’ll admit it. Most of the time when I’m listening to a podcast it will be Mind Pump. Those gentlemen have the best advice on all things fitness and many thing nutrition. They talk about hormones, proper equipment, how to overcome various obstacles, and they answer questions on air. They are available, give away a ton of free information, have all sorts of resources for everyone from serious weight lighters, bikini competitors, recovering food addicts, and senior fitness fanatics like me. I learn something in every single episode. I listen on the Apple platform but they are on many other platforms, too. Here is a link to check out their stuff, and be sure to look at their free resources as well as their programs.
Before I get in to today’s topic, let me just tell you about Mind Pump TV on YouTube, too. If you have any sort of fitness question or issue, check out their FREE info here. I am certified as a Senior Fitness Specialist. Much of my training regards corrective exercises. All that I learned, all that I studied was amazing from the health issues that are common in those over a certain age, but also the many ways to approach exercise to move a person forward. What I also realized was Mind Pump already has available programs highlighting many of these same things. So, I usually refer people to their MAPS Prime or to Mind Pump TV to find the specific video on the issue at hand. Although I can walk you through it all, there is no need for me to reinvent the wheel when these experts already have a vast library of everything right there for us to use. Disclaimer: I use these programs and videos for myself many times. Not daily, and not routinely. There are other resources I love, too.
I didn’t mean for this post to be an advertisement about Mind Pump, but I was researching something the other day and one of Sal Di Stefano’s articles popped up causing me to change my mindset on something which is what today’s topic is about.
From Doing to Practicing
Have you ever thought about changing your mindset from doing things to practicing things? I was reading an article the other day written by Sal Di Stefano and as he wrote about the mindset shift, I could actually feel a change in my thinking. What if I practiced doing bicep curls instead of doing the TRI-SET of TERROR (there should be an echo when you say that out loud) and working until exhaustion? I’m not talking about lifting light weights and not triggering muscle growth, but a change in how and why we do our movements.
When we focus on doing the exercises with proper form, and doing them properly, thoughtfully, skillfully and with excellence, we will get much further than when we pile on the abuse. . hence THE TRI-SET of TERROR (hear the echo)I used to do, then grumble about for 2 days. I’ve been in those workouts when I left feeling nauseated because I pushed too hard, and I was wiped out the next day or two. In CrossFit my competitive nature would kick in and I would push beyond what I knew was safe which is why I left CrossFit. There is no way I can do those workouts without my competitive nature kicking in. Working one on one with an experienced coach was a way better, and much safer choice for me. That is when I would experience the afterglow of that perfect workout where my muscles worked hard enough, I got better and I knew after a bit of rest I would be stronger and have more lean tissue. That also got me to PRs in a safe way, too. No injuries. Isn’t that the goal in the first place?
Sal gives an example in the article he wrote which you can find right here where he describes what happens when one practices running properly. He calls it “daily perfect practice” and contrasts it to when someone just runs “because they want a workout.” The difference is someone who becomes a skilled runner and someone who becomes injured. He says “[t]his is why running causes thousands of injuries a year. It’s not because running [is] dangerous (we evolved to run) but rather, its because BAD running is dangerous.”
Short term mindset vs Long term goal
That is also the difference between someone with a short term mindset and someone with a long term goal to get better. That’s what I’m all about. . .what do I need to do today to become better at _________. . . raising chickens, grilling the perfect steak, caring for my dogs, or lifting a barbell.
Someone with a short term mindset will just do what needs to happen now with no real thought about how that will impact tomorrow or even the end results. They want to impress the athlete in the next rig, or have that perfect Instagram photo that is a shade not true, or worse still is going through the motions without paying attention to what and how they are doing it. When lifting weights, that isn’t a smart thing to do. You don’t want to be like “just check the damn box” as this isn’t a good way to be any any endeavor. The athlete with the short term mindset will end up with a chronic injury. . .just saying.
But, when there is a long term mindset you will be okay with reducing the plates on your barbell while you fix the sway in your back squat. Or you will stop relying on lifting straps in most cases because they are not helping your functional movement patterns. (hey, the Mind Pump guys will tell you that. WHEN in real life will there be lifting straps around to help you lift whatever? Never. So don’t PRACTICE with lifting straps. Most of the time they are a crutch, and only sometimes are they a tool) I have absolutely zero problem pulling the weight back and reworking the basics. Being sidelined is no fun, and pain sucks the joy out of life. In the article, Sal says “If only these people understood that practicing exercise would get them far better and longer lasting results.” Let’s practice our weightlifting along with all our health endeavors so we can continually become better.
By practicing the skill and become better at the skill of each exercise you will find that you progress faster while having less injuries, and that is just better.
