Contact
Brian Carroll
Hey team PRs.
I just wanted to ask you if at my level (275sq, 405dead, 205bench) it’s worth pushing for bigger/faster PRs on offseasons/on seasons. It’s really set in that I squandered a lot of time in the gym the past couple of years and yet still being so weak.
I feel as though i have a lot of catching up to do with other guys my age (27 as of yesterday).
Maybe it’s a matter of the tortoise and the hare and eventually consistent progress trumps all? What I’m hoping anyway.
Thought I would ask the experts.
PS: Can’t speak highly enough of the 1020L, feels unreal to sit down and plan training out and just know I am finally getting somewhere. Thanks a million for the resources to finally one day become an athlete in some capacity.
Here’s the thing, don’t think of it like playing catch up. And don’t be so worried about what others are doing. These things take time. Trying to push too hard too soon is a great way to end up injured. Even if you are deloading appropriately the body can only take so much before it starts to have a hard time recovering.
When or if you decide to compete, then you can worry about others in your weight class at that meet. For now, use the off season to concentrate on bringing up weak points and steady progress. When you start or where you are is relatively unimportant. Remember that this is a hobby and getting hurt doing a hobby is a quick way to burn out on it or end up hating going to the gym. This is the one of the best things you can be doing for your overall health for now and for life. Continuously getting stronger, staying healthy, and being a badass 5, 10, 25, and 50 years from now is being better than those that burn out in 3 years.
Just because they’re ahead now doesn’t mean they will be for long. Patience.
I am with Will – this is a marathon, not a sprint.
That being said, I am not sure what you mean about catching up. Do you mean loading beyond your capability? Do you mean not deloading as often to train harder more often? In either of those scenarios, you increase risk of overtraining and injury – both BAD!
Stay the course and take it slow. Chip away day by day. If you really want an edge, reaching out to one of us here on the site for some coaching would be a great way to get a more tailored and hands on plan with proper guidance.
Great answers above, and thank you for the support.
Use this frustration to make the most efficient training plans possible. Don’t get mad and spin your wheels!
I’ve been right where you are man. I could go on forever on this topic, but to keep things concise, I can tell you that worrying about this will do you no good. I’ve had coaches that have pushed me and I’ve made very quick gains, and then I ended up injured and gainsless for over a year. I had to experience it to believe it, but just take my advice that you’re on the best route towards your goals now.
The best thing you can do for yourself is to focus on what you can control – staying healthy, and perfecting your form. Soak up all the knowledge you can on how to strengthen your core, create stability, and find the right technique to use your leverages as efficiently as possible.
If making gains is important enough to stress over, it’s important enough to get someone to help you. Hit up one of the coaches here and get yourself on a custom plan with video coaching. It’ll do you wonders and you’ll start making consistent gains and be able to smooth out all the things missing in your form or routine.
Hope that helps. There’s no sense in worrying over not being where you want to be when you’ve got knowledge and help at your disposal.