Beyond the Main Lifts: Does Your Training Reflect Your Goals?
Weightlifters often hyper-focus on their main lifts, striving for technical perfection in the snatch and clean & jerk. Yet, these same lifters might skimp on accessory work – undershooting RPEs, skipping those last few reps, or even ditching their program for a pointless max-out during a "deload" week.
As coaches, our job isn't just programming, pats on the back, and technical cues. It's to guide your mindset, call out lapses in focus, and redirect you when your ego jeopardizes progress. It's about seeing your potential and holding you accountable to reach it.
Your attitude towards the less "sexy" accessory work reveals your true commitment. It's a mirror, reflecting whether you're dedicated to the nitty-gritty of training or just ticking off boxes on your programming sheet. Remember, in lifting, small actions have huge long-term consequences.
The adage, "How you do anything is how you do everything," rings especially true in this sport. Every session, you either solidify a foundation of excellence or let the cracks of good enough creep in. Each rep, set, and exercise is a chance to reinforce positive habits.
Accessory work builds resilience, targets weaknesses, and lays the groundwork for your main lifts to truly shine. Done right, it's the key to unlocking your potential. Yet, it's easy to coast, cutting corners and choosing the path of least resistance. This leads to frustration, plateaus, and a body unprepared for the workload, ripe for injury.
So, ask yourself honestly: what kind of lifter do you aspire to be? Do you want unwavering discipline, pushing hard even during the mundane? Or will you blend into the background, content with "good enough"?
Your training reveals your answer. If your goals demand greatness, every choice matters. Don't just go through the motions with your accessory work – make every rep count. Embrace the relentless pursuit of improvement in all areas. Your future on the platform depends on the standards you set today.
-Coach Caity
