To Get Over It You Have To Get Under It
In order to make progress you have to fail. In order to move forward, you may have to go backward. Progress is not a straight line, but a series of hills that gradually move upward. You must put yourself in the situation where you want to succeed; you have to go there and fail first.
The best example I know of this is bench pressing in the gym. To continue to grow and continue to progress, you have to gradually add more weight to the bar. As you challenge your muscles to move more weight, they respond by getting stronger…and growing larger. This is how muscles grow and bodies become more beautiful.
Seasoned lifters know that in order to lift more weight, you have to get under the weight on the bench. This can be particularly daunting when the poundages get higher and there are a bunch of plates on the bar. It can look scary, even for lifters with a lot of years in the gym. But the way to get past that fear is to GET UNDER THE BAR.
For safety you must have a spotter to watch and help with the lift, but the goal is to simply get under the weight. Even if you fail when lifting the weight, you’ve had the experience of taking it off the bar, lowering it to your chest, and trying to push it up. If you are gradually adding small amounts each time you try to life more, you should be able to move the bar at least a portion of the way up. Then your spotter helps you complete the lift.
I remember times in the gym where I was laying on the bench under a lot of weight and it could be daunting. But if I trusted my training, trusted the technique I learned from my trainer, and trusted the spotter who was watching me, I had the confidence to give it a try.
I clearly remember my trainer telling me, after a failed attempt, that getting under the bar was the way to move forward.
What things in your life are you wanting to improve but find yourself with some fear around? Figure out how to safely put yourself in the situation and give it a try. You may fail, fall over, and not complete your task. But you put yourself in the situation (safely) and had the experience of doing it. Each time you’ll get closer as you gain confidence. This helps you move past the fear and grow. You’ll reach your goal knowing it started by facing your fears and getting under the bar.
Tim Hinton
September 23, 2021
