Rough Patches in Training

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03-21-17, 9:19 pm
Pete Rubish

Rough Patches in Training

Figured I'd start a thread in here given how quiet it currently is...

I am currently 6.5 weeks out from my meet and am going through a bit of a rough patch. So given that many of us who train heavy often go through periods where the weights feel particularly heavy and our motivation is lacking, I thought I'd address this issue.

It's something that happens to the best of us. Where you go through that month or even few months of training where everything feels 100 lbs heavier and your motivation slips lower with each passing day Or alternatively, you're beat up, the injuries are piling up, and you're getting frustrated that your journey to lift heavier weights isn't going so well...

These things happen. It's part of the game and you have to embrace them as much as dread them when they hit. I would say that the stronger you get, the more of these rough patches will come. None of this is linear as much as we'd like it to be, and rarely do things go according to plan. But that's why so many of us love it because it is so similar to our everyday lives and the twists and turns that get thrown our way.

Those who can embrace the grind and the rough patches are those who will go the furthest. I truly believe that. Go into this knowing that the bad days are coming and your best bet is to put your head down and run with them. This doesn't mean you shouldn't address problems, change things up, and look for solutions. I'm just saying that it will happen and it's best to be ready. Those who do, will go the furthest.
03-29-17, 3:53 pm
pfabrizi1

I can definitely relate at the moment. Planning a move from New York to North Carolina next Friday and between work, lifting every morning at 7am, coming home to pack up and plan and take care of setting everything up for my Fiancé and I for our move, its definitely a grind at the moment. Training wise progress has never been better but I'm battling aches and pains and sleeplessness but grinding through until moving day because I know it will probably be a few weeks to get back into the training grove when I move between settling in to my new home, finding a good gym to lift at and not having the same support system and training partners I'm used to having. But I definitely agree that these rough patches are the times that make or break you as a person and a lifter.
03-29-17, 6:05 pm
Nmowery

I gotta say that motivation doesn't tend to be an issue for me...sure there's times where I don't feel like dragging myself into the gym, but more than anything I get pissed when I'm not making progress, or if I have a particularly shitty workout. Thankfully, I have a long term specific goal I'm working towards, and know it's gonna take a bit to get there, and that shits gonna be rough sometimes - but that doesn't keep me from getting mad when more immediate goals don't get met.

More than anything, I've learned to step back, look at what successful lifters do that I'm not, and try to take something away from their knowledge and experience. I also try to filter out all the bullshit at the same time...but we all know how tough that can be sometimes!
03-29-17, 7:13 pm
Cellardweller

When you're beat up, tired and the heavy weight isn't going up is when you need to learn how to switch gears. If you go in and bench is heavy AF, then you need to back that off and make something else your main course. Hit a different bench variation or weak spot and kill it, but don't bang your head against weights that won't move for you that day. That will not only place you at risk for injury but kill your confidence too. You don't always have to deload or take time off. Just listen to your body and train smart. Switch gears.
03-29-17, 7:41 pm
Rick87

Im not moving as much weights as you guys do..but im improving every week...so far that got me a fucked up shoulder...a knee injury that requires surgery..the other knee feels weak....my left thumb ( dont ask.. )....motivation hit rock bottom last week because i couldnt move the weight ...do last week i only did some cardio and it fucking sucked..
04-01-17, 11:37 pm
Pete Rubish

I agree with pretty much everything you guys said. I think that when the going gets tough, you have to go back to basics and what got you into this in the first place. A love for lifting heavy weights and self-improvement. It's not a linear progression and we have to remember that. Pay your dues, put your head down, and keep grinding. Change things up, hit new exercises, go for rep PRs, change up your split. Anything to change gears and give you a new outlook. But it's so true too that what you got you here, won't be what gets you to that next goal. You have to evolve and that is half the battle.
07-31-17, 11:47 pm
Jay Nera

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Rubish

But it's so true too that what you got you here, won't be what gets you to that next goal. You have to evolve and that is half the battle.

Thats the money line right there.