[Jdsm]

Originally Posted by viru§™

Some of you guys clearly underestimate psychology when it comes to lifting weights.

1. Shouting is aggressive and causes a hormonal response within the body. These guys shout and act aggressively before a big lift for this hormonal response. It's not a huge difference, but every little counts when you're lifting heavy shit attempting a new PR.

2. I've never seen a guy casually chatting to his friends, lie down and within 2 seconds just blast out a new bench PR. To lift a fucking heavy weight you have to psych yourself up for it. Different people have different ways of doing this. one guy may shout, one guy may get his friend to slap him on the back, everybody is different.

3. Somebody mentioned habit earlier. Every athlete that lifts weights at a high level will develop a habit before they do a lift. Walk left to right 3 times each way, jump on the spot, get a slap on the back from a friend, whatever. It may look weird to some but without going through this ritual they've ingrained during their lifting career they'll most likely fail the lift.

4. Attention, as in having people watch you, is a huge game changer. Go check how many athletes set a new PR at the Olympics. When it comes to a venue with thousands or millions watching you I can guarantee that's the point when the PR's will happen.

All great points. Arousal, social facilitation, personal habits etc all play a huge part.