Visualisation also has other uses in the gym. For example, on the treadmill you can imagine a competitor running next to you, which will make you run faster in order to beat them. Or to go with that fear idea you could imagine yourself being chased by a tiger, though this would only really work for sprints.

By visualising yourself as being bigger and stronger than you are you can also make yourself feel more powerful. In the gym this will translate as more energy and possibly greater strength.

Similarly, try visualising yourself several years from now. Visualise yourself as having the physique you really want, being as strong as an ox, even winning Mr Olympia if that is your desire. This applies to any goal or desire you have in your life, and if you constantly imagine yourself in the place you want to be you’ll find that things start to conspire to make it happen. You can almost convince yourself that your aim has already come true, and once that’s happened you’ll find that you start to act as though it has. And that can only be a good thing. You can be anything you want to be – it’s just being any good that’s the hard part (Adam Sinicki).

This is possible through what’s known as a ‘self fulfilling prophecy’. Here, by believing you are one thing or another you can actually become more like the thing you think you are. Think about it – if you think you’re in amazing shape you’ll start eating healthier and going to the gym more to maintain it, you’ll believe you can lift heavier weights, you’ll have an air of confidence about you and other people will start to believe that you really are all you say you are.

If you’ve ever heard of a placebo it’s a similar effect. Here people find strength gains or recovery from illnesses can come simply from taking a sugar pill because they believed it was something else. Studies have shown people can actually lift more when on placaebos. So if you have the confidence to try it, you can probably achieve it. Believe in yourself and doors will start opening up at the gym and everywhere else (especially if they have automatic doors at your gym).

Another trick you can use to make yourself feel stronger in the gym is to look at someone else who’s stronger than you and tell yourself you have ‘all their strengths plus your own’. Then try and feel like you do. It’ s a piece of self talk used by many sports coaches and is surprisingly effective though I’m not sure why. Hey if it works, don’t knock it!

Mack LeMouse

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