The Weightlifter’s Journey, Part Two – Barbell Shrugged
This week on Barbell Shrugged, our series The Weightlifter’s Journey continues with the key habits for overcoming obstacles in the snatch, clean and jerk.
As you might guess, there are plenty.
On part one, we shared a little barbell history, as well as some tips on how you can best begin your Weightlifting journey. That’s a start, but the real challenge in the gym is remaining committed and patient.
The truth is that starting is very easy.
Everyone likes the idea of being strong and showing off, but the real challenge begins as soon as life steps in between you and your new goal – Time, money, relationships, kids, tendinitis and achey joints, impatience, comparison, jealousy, constant tinkering and wavering commitment, that’s just the short list.
Becoming a weightlifter is very hard. But you should take solace in the fact that you are in very good company. Every single day thousands of new athletes are pouring into boxes all around the world, and they all want to master the lifts…But guess what?
Every single one will find their fair share of challenge and frustration. They will feel the same as you, and just to be clear, the same is true for every single athlete that has come before. They don’t give away the title of Weightlifter, friends. That’s something you have to earn, one lift at a time.
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This can be an intimidating goal, but that emotion vanishes as soon as you can shift your focus back to where it needs to be – Onto the very next repetition, the daily target load, your sleep diet, and recovery routine, you name it. It’s the day to day shit that makes or breaks you!
Don’t look for fast tracks or secrets to overcoming obstacles in the Olympic lifts. They do not exist. In the end, the key to reaching your full strength is simply to build great daily habits, both inside and outside of the gym. We’re going to show you how.
Welcome to The Weightlifter’s Journey, part two.
Enjoy the show,
Chris
7 Responses to “The Weightlifter’s Journey, Part Two – Barbell Shrugged”
Doug’s comments on ‘preparation is my jam’ just makes me think of this video…there are known knowns, and known unknowns…but also unknown unknowns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiPe1OiKQuk
One reason for tinkering could be lack of equipment..
True, although, you wouldn’t tinker programming every time to make-up for a lack of equipment. You’d probably just change the program so to focus on what you have access to, right?
Wow guys, you have taken an awesome podcast and made it even better with this current series. I am learning so much. I have two questions for you.
First, isn’t mobility actually part of the recovery process? I am 44 years old and just this year returned to lifting seriously and heavily. I also just started learning about mobility. Since I have added mobility to post workout and off times, I find that I am recovering quicker and my recovery seems to be more complete.
Second, you stated that doing squats while learning how to do the O lifts is a good strategy, what about the other main lifts, bench and deadlift? Is it OK to regularly mix powerlifting and weightlifting for pure strength? I know that Cross fit will sometimes combine the two but normally with a set weight rather than for pure strength.
Keep up the great work!
Doug
Wow guys, you have taken an awesome podcast and made it even better with this current series. I am learning so much. I have two questions for you.
First, isn’t mobility actually part of the recovery process? I am 44 years old and just this year returned to lifting seriously and heavily. I also just started learning about mobility. Since I have added mobility to post workout and off times, I find that I am recovering quicker and my recovery seems to be more complete.
Second, you stated that doing squats while learning how to do the O lifts is a good strategy, what about the other main lifts, bench and deadlift? Is it OK to regularly mix powerlifting and weightlifting for pure strength? I know that Cross fit will sometimes combine the two but normally with a set weight rather than for pure strength.
Keep up the great work!
Doug
Thanks Doug. I would say yes, that work is aiding your recovery. For mixing PL and WL methods, it just depends on your goals. What do you want to improve the most? If it’s the WL movements, then you should only do a little benching and deadlifting. However, if general strength is the goal, more of a balance between all those lifts can be achieved. Just depends on what you want.
[…] On part two, we shared some key habits that will help keep life’s inevitable hurdles from derailing your weightlifting progress. This week we take the story on the road, as the Barbell Shrugged team travels deep into South Florida for the east coasts’ largest sanctioned weightlifting meets – The MIA Classic. […]