Chasing the max

I read this problem in a lot of forums.  Somebody will be desperately sending out a plea for help in some lifting or bodybuilding forum because their lift didn't go up.  I mean, they lifted weight since the last time they tested their max, so isn't it just supposed to go up?  What's the universes fucking problem here?  Doesn't physics know that they waited a whole damn 2 weeks to max out on bench again?  Why can't they bench 2 goddamn plates yet?!

Aside for the fact that they've been lifting as long as the expiration period of milk, they want fucking answers.  These answers they seek needn't be too complicated or long and drawn out studies of the human anatomy, central nervous system or dietary needs. They're not going to even reach the last period of the paragraph without mispronouncing 8 words in their own head. 

So here's a simple answer that even a personal trainer at an O2 fitness can understand:  Momentum.

When you have momentum, you have movement.  When you don't, you stall.  Boom, it really is that simple.

Strength gain IS momentum.

GAINZ are the body's response to stimuli.  Testing a max is literally a snapshot in time of a strength wave that is slowly in motion.  Peaking cycles take advantage of this phenomenon by testing as close to the height of the wave, the lifters strongest snapshot in time.

But on a dumbed down level, lets just talk about the lifts and the mentality of chasing the max.

The lifter, we'll call him "Chandler," complains that his max hasn't gone up since 3 months ago.  He's also been testing it every two weeks like every 20 year old with a BB.com account.  He has stalled, and like the floor of a port-o-john at a Luke Bryan concert, he's pissed.

Now I don't necessarily give a shit if he ever figures this out for himself or not, but my recommendation would be... gain momentum.

Gain momentum in ANYTHING.  He needs a sturdy foothold to start his climb.  Rep max's, more volume, forced reps... do anything that you're currently NOT doing right now and then get better at it.  If Chandler can't hit that 1rm after 2 weeks of half assed training, then how about establishing a 5 or 10 rep max.  THEN BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Momentum will start to make itself evident, you'll know when you're finally getting stronger.  Once you KNOW you're getting stronger, then it accelerates even more. 

The mindset plays a large role in lifting.  Ever hear the expression "Smells blood in the water?"  Once a shark catches the scent of blood, it turns from an asshole to a mega asshole.  Why?  Because it's hungry as fuck, and it smells dinner. 

When a fighter opens up the cheek or forehead of their opponent, they go fucking insane!  They know the tide has shifted in their favor, and they know that the other fighter knows it too.

Lifters are the same way. 

Once you get momentum on your side, your motivation increases, your confidence builds and you stop looking up to the weights that you've put on a pedestal and start looking down on them like PREY.  You stop hoping and wishing that you can "get" the lift, or that the weight will "let" you lift it that day and you start salivating as you look at the bar like fresh baby seal that you're about to rip open.  You stop doubting yourself as much, and you can't wait for that day of the week when you're going to just crush your sets like you're the baddest mother fucker in the room.

That's the importance of momentum. Take advantage of that shit and ride that wave all the way to your new max.