Mental Imagery
Recent studies have shown that when we visualize ourselves doing a certain activity it activates similar parts of our brains as if we were physically doing that activity. This means we can us imagery to help with a day of lifting before we ever step into the gym.
- First Person Perspective – Try to imagine the actions you want to perform through your own eyes as if it was happening right now. Detail is key here as you want to make it as realistic as possible.
. - Make It Realistic – Try to imagine the situation as it would happen as close to the real world as possible. For example, try to imagine yourself in your own workout gear, at your own gym, with your own trainer, in a workout you will most probably do in the near future.
. - Focus On Process, Not Results – Don’t just skip to the part where you bench 500 lbs and let out your best brave heart battle cry. Imagine the whole process from beginning to the end. Imagine loading the weights, chalking up, getting comfortable under the bar, your spotter standing above you; these are all things that you will have to encounter before you reach your goal.
. - Evoke Multiple senses – You want to engage as many senses as possible, this adds to the realism of the situation. What do you hear? How does the bar feel? What do you smell? The more you can recall these traits the stronger imprint the visualization will leave on your mind and the more prepared you’ll be to meet the actual situation.
Mental Imagery is invaluable to every athlete but especially to bodybuilders as so many of our battles are mental. The great thing about imagery is that it’s also helpful for athletes sidelined due to injury. You can use past experience as well as video footage to create a rich experience in your mind that can help in or out of the gym. Video footage in also beneficial because it can show athletes what they’re doing wrong or right. This way when they visualize their success they’re taking from a model that has worked in the past and discarding the things that don’t.
