Ask yourself two questions-
- What type of lifter are you?
- What type of lifter do you want to be?
Below are four types of lifters as I have decided to define them. One is not better than any other. Being realistic and honest with ourselves will allow us to be better equipped to work within the frame work of the type of lifter we are. There is nothing more discouraging than not accomplishing our purposes for lifting. This failure might be associated with the fact that we have misdefined what type of lifter we are. A Type I cannot expect to accomplish the same level of results as say a Type III. It is unfair for a Type I to even compare themselves to a Type III. By doing so they are placing unrealistic expectations upon themselves. Unrealistic expectations is simply premature resentment.
Decide what type of lifter you are or want to be and establish a lifestyle for success around that.
Type I - "I Should" - The I should train and lift because the are complying with some directive (internal or external) that they should because it is good for them. Personal health is on the priority list. This is a great starting point and a type that most will never transition out of. It is also the type of lifter that has the most failures because of the lack of personal commitment. If nothing else the health benefits of weight training are unarguable.
Type II - "I Have To" - The I have to train and lift because of the demands of life or their favorite sport. They have goals and a plan. They hit the weights to keep up with a demanding lifestyle, friend or competitor. Wanting to be better than they are physically drives them.
Type III - "I Want To" - The I want to lifts and trains because it feels physically and mentally good. They push themselves to shatter personal bests or achieve lofty goals. They return regularly to be personally challenged and rewarded. Self competition to find the upper limits of what they can do keeps them coming back for more.
Type IV - "A Pathway" - The pathways train and lift as part of their lifestyle. Lifting is a much more than simply getting bigger or stronger. It is part of who they are. A pathway does not need to be convinced to go to the gym to lift just like a fish doesn't need to be convinced to swim. Lifting is in their nature. They get to truly know their sport. The pathways seek self betterment and thrive in challenging situations. They thrive because they know the end result will be a better understanding of who they are apart from lifting.
SEMPER FI