hublifter Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 For all of you out there getting into harder 60ds and beyond, wondering what it takes to bend harder and harder steel, go to the Atomic Athletic site. Click on the Rogues Gallery and view the series of photos entitled "The Many Faces of Pat Povilaitis". What am I talking about? LOOK IN HIS EYES. There is a fire and intensity there that no words can describe. Even though he was performing at the AOBS dinner, the look in his eyes is no act. There has been plenty written about the necessity of an iron will and determination in reaching strength training goals. Pat Povilaitis is a living example of those words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the swiss Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 cool pics! Yes, intensity is (almost) everything in Strength training. Something I have learned, and which was very well illustrated by David Horne at the europeans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeP Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Kaz was a prime strength example, medidate/focus/listen to bagpipes and then explode. Coan is the same. They said if a bomb went off in the gym Arnold would have been the only one still sitting there thinking about the next set. You've got to be intense, several ways to go about it, but you've got to get there in your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsm_fan_uk Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Kaz was a prime strength example, medidate/focus/listen to bagpipes and then explode. True, reading this comment reminded my of this article on Tom Black's site, paragraph 7 mentions his intensity/focus as he is preparing for a lift. Do you guys think that this kind of intensity is something that someone can learn or are you just born with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonL Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Do you guys think that this kind of intensity is something that someone can learn or are you just born with it? Born with, no way. You learn that. No matter what anyone can always do better than what they think they can. Everyone is different in terms of potential, but everybody can reach theirs if they really want to.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 I think it's a little bit of nature, as well as nurture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SqeezeMasterFlash Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Any good recomendations for books or sites for improving your focus and intensity? It's an area I admittedly am lacking in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Edgin Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 You can't learn intensity in a book. It's a fire you have to stoke from within. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SqeezeMasterFlash Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 I suppose what I really need to work on is concentration. I always get nervous trying to block out a crowd and as such perform well below my PR when I'm at a contest or in front of a group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Books you might like are Stronger Minds, Stronger Bodies by IronMind and The Warrior Athlete by Millman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeP Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 Check into the martial arts, isn't that part of their thing? I don't have that problem, always either get PRs or perform near that level at contests/in public. My problem would be getting the fire lit every day for just training, w/o a red bull. If I lived around some other guys, I'm sure my training would benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Styles Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 I like this book for the mind / muscle link: http://www.humankinetics.com/products/show...isbn=0736037535 Anyone can improve, but honestly, I'm of the belief that not just anyone can generate the extreme levels of intensity. Your perspective on life has to be a little crazy to be able to develop the ability to slip into that life or death attitude at the drop of the hat. There has to be some factor in your past, danger in your current world, or mental problem providing that drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Edgin Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 I think that having the ability to turn up your intensity level to 10 at any time is something that every person is capable of. Intensity just seems like another emotion. That said, I guess some folks are more emotional than others. Just listen to any of the intense guys talk about their kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mac Posted August 30, 2004 Share Posted August 30, 2004 I think the ability to generate and use focus and concentration for a lift is probably distributed on a Bell curve just like most other things. A also think that some people can get too intense and are simply unable to handle/focus the emotions they generate. One of my clearest memories from being a little kid is watching one of the WSM comps (mid-80's) and watching Kaz psyche up for a lift. Those eyes - they still cut through to me today. I always preferred Sigmarsson, but that is one memory I shall NEVER forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meat Loaf Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 Well, my intensity goes to 11. (Hail to Spinal Tap!!!) MEAT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted August 31, 2004 Share Posted August 31, 2004 A most unnatural fear of failure provides me with lots of intensity. Also, if you want something with every fiber of your being, atleast some degree of intensity will follow. Most people just lack the necessary amount of desire to kindle the intensity. If missing a big lift ruins your entire day, you probably already have that do-or-die intensity within you. Desire breeds intensity. Hey, that's pretty good, and I just made it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jad Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 I used to think I was intense/trained intensely until I read the Joe Kinney section in the CoC book then I realized what intensity was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amaury Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Pat is a psycho ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkbone Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 One song that gets me to that level is "Meaning of Life" by Disturbed. Most of their songs are just so intense that it fires me up. Also "Droppin' Plates" is another one that I like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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