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Thread: Mental block on bench press

  1. #1
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    Mental block on bench press

    Everything else in my chest routine is going up, either in weight or reps. But the bench just seems to get in my head...I've been stagnant for a while. I just seem to psych myself out before I get started. You guys think I ought to take it out for a while? I'm currently doing Bench, Machine incline, flyes, and underhand cable flyes (standing)

  2. #2
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    Try getting a spottter Bro. When I use a spotter my strength goes thru the roof.

    Also try DB bench, Incline Barbell, Flys, and DB pullovers. Build those stabilzers bro!

  3. #3
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    Yeah, I've started training with a partner again. I've been thinking of switching up to Incline BB, Flat DBs.

  4. #4
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    i have the same prob... i switched to db's but, ima have to go back to the bar sooner or later!same goes for you

  5. #5
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    if you are psyching yourself down you need to psych yourself up damnit. look at that weight and laugh. tell yourself that isn't a one rep max...that's an easy set of 10. when it feels heavy just tell yourself that it is heavy because it is weight, and you are about to lift something heavy. don't back down from a fight bro, stand your ground. walk right up to that weight and if you have to talk to it, tell it you are about to throw it up wether it wants you to or not. do what you have to, to be great. get CrAzY...

  6. #6
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    Nova speaks the truth...btw I have the same problem haha

  7. #7
    Man psyche yourself up beforehand. Think of someone laughing at you or calling you a pussy or something. Look at the weight and think to yourself its light. Prolly why ronnie always says Lightweight. I always look at the weight and think to myself that I am confident I'll lift it and that its light and its just a number. When you start thinking about the numerical value of the weight..you start gettin scared. Tell yourself its nothing. I actually used Nark's log as motivation last time I deadlifted Saw his strength gains and I was like Narks pullin the heavy weight..I gotta get this

  8. #8
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    Believe me, I can motivate myself plenty. I can talk to myself until I am blue in the face, but there's always this voice reminding me of my struggles. Guess maybe I'll really have to start doing some more visualization and focusing.

  9. #9
    I used to have that. Its the idea that the weight will crush you..or you are thinking about the # too much..and not pushing the weight. I struggled with that until about 6-8 months ago..since I was 13 or so.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by chest6
    I actually used Nark's log as motivation last time I deadlifted Saw his strength gains and I was like Narks pullin the heavy weight..I gotta get this
    Man, that dude's dead numbers are crazy.

    I think another thing that's holding me back a little is the fact that my partner is pretty new to lifting, whereas I've done it for a while. I am EXPONENTIALLY stronger than this guy, which is a bit of a hinderance. It's always helped me to lift with someone equal to or stronger than I am. It's just something I'll have to overcome.

  11. #11
    Same with me. I like working out with someone stronger than me but I have been on my own for awhile now. You have to challenge yourself now because there is no one else there to challenge you now. Its all mental.

  12. #12
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    Yeah, it helps my motivation to keep a log. That way I can say "OK, I got 6 reps last week, this week I gotta get at least 7"

  13. #13
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    Bro don't talk yourself up. SLAP your self 2wice hard in the face!! Or have your partner do it I GUARANTEE you will be able to lift more! When I get pumped for a lift I slap my self and I can feel the adrenaline surge it's great! It pisses you off and puts your body into fight mode....You'll lift the weight.

  14. #14
    I would do that..but I dont wanna get like kicked out of my gym or anything. I need to join a hardcore gym where that wouldnt be unusual

  15. #15
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    in my experience, mine was a physical barrier more than psychological,i just couldnt pass that weight/rep(stopped growing) barrier it was very frustrating so i decided to have a look at my diet again and then totally changed the way i train and sure enough ive gone far beyond that weight/rep barrier,basically the weight had psyched me out but it was my lack of growth in the chest area that really held me back im no longer affraid of platues i just go around them by getting creative,no need to walk around the gym like an axe murderer or start kicking seven bells of s@@t outa myself,thats just my take on it.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by novastepp
    if you are psyching yourself down you need to psych yourself up damnit. look at that weight and laugh. tell yourself that isn't a one rep max...that's an easy set of 10. when it feels heavy just tell yourself that it is heavy because it is weight, and you are about to lift something heavy. don't back down from a fight bro, stand your ground. walk right up to that weight and if you have to talk to it, tell it you are about to throw it up wether it wants you to or not. do what you have to, to be great. get CrAzY...
    O SHIT!! You just psyced ME out bro haha... im off to the gym now

  17. #17
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    All good advice. I think I'm going to switch my routine up some, take a break from it for a little while. Like I said, all my other movements are going up, just not the bench.

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