LogFAQs > #971491562

iiaattgg posted...

our brains can really hold us back with some of these. We get so set in our programs and routines that we kinda get set in the thought of I can only do x weight for x reps. We dont really question it too much when we get a rep or two less as we all know we have weak days, but can often hold us back from the other side of that in the strength variance. So its not surprising that this happens so much simply just because we use the wrong plate math lol

Today was just the unholy marriage of bad plate math and the mental aspects of lifting.

I do a series of rep limited warm up and work sets. Then my last work set is the heaviest weight but also "as many reps as I can". With that said, I generally know how many reps to expect, with +1 or 2 on a good week and -1 or 2 on a bad week.

I was feeling real good on those initial sets, so when the last set felt easy, I didn't take enough notice. But I crank out 3 more reps than I "expect" (and honestly maybe should have pushed for 1 more...). I'm thinking this is an epic day...until I look and realize I forgot to load the 15 lbs more per side for that heavy set! I literally exclaim out loud "oh you fucking dummy you forgot to put on the weights!" Funny thing, that incorrectly loaded set was my max set from 2 weeks ago and...I actually did 2 reps LESS this week!

I give myself a few extra minutes of rest and decide to still go for the real, correct heavy set. Fuck it, might as well. Despite gassing myself quite hard on that "wrong" set, I still manage to get the number of reps I expect! Maybe if I'm not an idiot I get an extra rep at the correct weight, but I was amazed that I had enough to not fall a few reps short.

I think this really goes to show the mental aspects of lifting. At the wrong, lighter weight, I got more than expected but it was less than I'd done previously at that weight. Then, at the right weight, I was able to still do what I expected, despite all the wasted energy spent just before that.