When I am the strongest, I will feel the weakest. Yesterday when getting in bed my throat was starting to close up like cold. During the day I had a lot of great lifts in my gym. Another five pounds was added to my barbell and I was able to press it overhead, making it my new personal best. Soon I’ll be switching to the gold gym with gold barbell and gold plates. While the number for weight of these items will be the same, the reality will likely be different. My current set up is the cheapest I could put together. That means a plate might say, “45 lbs” and be closer to 44. Add that margin of error to every plate and I’m left thinking I can lift more than I can. Nicer equipment is likely to be more accurate, so I don’t want to get these new weights only to find I can’t lift them. That’s why I increased my weight yesterday and it was a great press, it felt easier than heavier lifts. At 37, I’m finally learning how to use my body. About 4 years ago, I figured out how to do a proper push up. At little after that I understood how to engage my glutes to perform a proper squat. Lately, I’ve been doing squats with a focus on quadriceps. Muscles only pull and are strongest when pulling in a straight line. I’m understanding how the bones need to move so that the muscles are positioned correctly. What I noticed with quad focused squats is I usually pop off the ground at the top. That momentum is what I need to harness to improve my overhead press.
Chris' Morning Pages 