WHEN TRAINING STOPS BEING ENJOYABLE

February 12, 2019

Pittsburgh Fitness Project

This blog was originally written for the PFP Barbell Club. I have been competing in the sport of weightlifting for about 5 years now and coaching for the better part of 4. I am a big believer in training being “Process Driven”. If we can focus on the process of getting better then the results will come. The more we focus on results the slower they come. I also am guilty of harping on “enjoying the process” .

Your experience in weightlifting (or fitness) as a whole should be enjoyable. If you’re not having a good time with the overall experience, you should probably do something else. For 99.9% of us its not how we support ourselves, its too hard, to frustrating , and too complicated to do if we don’t like it.

SOMETIMES TRAINING SUCKS

Here is the thing, sometimes training sucks. It may be for days, weeks, or possibly even months. After nationals every year, I have a tough time with my training. Generally its over 30 weeks away from my next big meet. I am coming down from a peak, my body hurts, and my motivation is low. In general it stinks. I have to literally drag myself to my sessions for while.

Rehabbing an injury can be the same. It can seem like you never will feel better. Training is slow and difficult. You watch your friends and teammates move heavy weights and your stuck with modifications and rehab. Its frustrating, difficult, and not a lot of fun.

GROWTH FROM THE PROCESS

So whats my point? The process won’t always be enjoyable . One of the most rewarding parts of weightlifting is how difficult it is. The high’s of hitting a new PR , qualifying for that big meet, or landing on the podium , feel so great because of the adversity of your training. The vast majority of the work we do won’t make our highlight reel. Most of the things that will make us great is mastery of the mundane. Consistency trumps intensity every time.

If you’re going through a period of training that just sucks….keep going! Growth is on the other side of adversity! The reality is thats what separates the good athletes from the great ones. The great athletes keep showing up.

Come join the PFP Barbell Team!

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