4 Tips to Overcome Fear of Lifting Heavy Weights from Lauren Fisher

Lifting weights can be overwhelming, especially when they get heavy. Many lifts require a high level of technique, so pushing yourself on a lift while mastering the movements behind it is a fear many athletes – understandably – have.

Lauren Fisher shared what she does every time she approaches a heavy barbell.

Have a look at her advice:

Mindset

Your mindset for lifting can make or break what you decide to lift. For me, same setup and same mental preparation before every lift. If you watch any of my lifting videos, you might notice how I approach the bar exactly the same every time nothing changes. From 10lbs on the bar to 200lbs, I have my routine and it works. Find yours!

Repetition

Lots of REPETITION this doesn’t happen over night. Drill lighter weights and master those before you decide to add some weight on the bar. Bad technique can only take you so far… I remember when I couldn’t split jerk to save my life. Every day I walked into the gym, I did some footwork chalk drills and worked with a pvc pipe. I wanted to drill it into my muscle memory what the right position was.

Mind tricks

Trick your mind into thinking this weight is light even though it isn’t. Before any lift if I tell myself “I got this” or “This is light my legs are strong”. If I tell myself I’m tired, this weight is so heavy, or any negative thinking I don’t think there has ever been one time where I made the lift. I can get away with it for lighter weights, but anything heavier will truly test your mental game.

Visualize

Lastly, VISUALIZE. I see myself making the weight before I even attempt it and I know exactly how it feels. Especially the night before a big competition, you can imagine I’ve hit the 225lb clean and jerk 100 times in my head.

View this post on Instagram

Lauren, how do you overcome the fear of lifting weights when they get heavy? One of the most common questions I get in my DM’s from a lot of people especially women asking how I can lift such heavy weight even though I’m a smaller athlete. Here’s 4 tips on how to approach a heavy barbell next time you LIFT! 1. Your mindset for lifting can make or break what you decide to lift. For me, same setup and same mental preparation before every lift. If you watch any of my lifting videos, you might notice how I approach the bar exactly the same every time nothing changes. From 10lbs on the bar to 200lbs, I have my routine and it works. Find yours! 2. Lots of REPETITION this doesn’t happen over night. Drill lighter weights and master those before you decide to add some weight on the bar. Bad technique can only take you so far… I remember when I couldn’t split jerk to save my life. Every day I walked into the gym, I did some footwork chalk drills and worked with a pvc pipe. I wanted to drill it into my muscle memory what the right position was. 3. Trick your mind into thinking this weight is light even though it isn’t. Before any lift if I tell myself “I got this” or “This is light my legs are strong”. If I tell myself I’m tired, this weight is so heavy, or any negative thinking I don’t think there has ever been one time where I made the lift. I can get away with it for lighter weights, but anything heavier will truly test your mental game. 4. Lastly, VISUALIZE. I see myself making the weight before I even attempt it and I know exactly how it feels. Especially the night before a big competition, you can imagine I’ve hit the 225lb clean and jerk 100 times in my head. Tag your friends who need to read this. I’m sure they will thank you for it! #GROWNSTRONG @grownstrong : @everydayeffort

A post shared by Lauren Fisher (@laurenfisher) on Nov 25, 2019 at 5:56pm PST

Good luck on your next lift!