Even the lone wolf hunts in a pack.
"Lone wolf" weightlifters often encounter several problems their club-training peers do not, the biggest being a lack of technical feedback on their lifts. Without a qualified coach around, you simply cannot learn what you are doing wrong; after all, self-diagnosis is only so helpful. I, myself, suffered far too long on certain plateaus solely because I did not fix the underlying technical problems. Fortunately my situation changed a few months ago when a young woman started training alongside me at the ungodly 6 a.m. hour. She immediately corrected my shoulder position in both the snatch and clean, bringing them farther over the bar; solidified my budding understanding of the double knee bend (thanks Shane) and the power position; and adjusted my squat stance, allowing me to take better advantage of my 6'3" frame. This experience has given me a new appreciation for high-quality training partners and a positive "work" environment. In our chalky corner of the gym, we watch one another's lifts; provide feedback when appropriate; and cheer for all new PRs, regardless of weight on the bar. Given the panoply of recent PRs, something is starting to take root.
Lesson Learned: Don't be afraid to ask a great lifter for
advice (disclaimer: by "great" I mean a technically proficient lifter
who demonstrates sound mechanics and exhibits proper mobility; this does not necessary include someone who
just tosses up a lot of weight).
No comments:
Post a Comment