Three Common Strength Training F**K Ups.

1 - Training with little drive or intensity

A lot of people are afraid to throw themselves into a workout or a set and just let loose, not worry about how your form looks or how deep your going, the noises you make or the damage your going to cause to yourself.  In a maximal activity like strength or power training if you don't open up the taps your always going to be stuck behind those who do.

Second guessing yourself or not committing to your sets and workouts with the correct attitude is a sure fire way to get sub par results.  Getting yourself in the right head space is a skill and one that many lifters and athletes are lacking when it comes to lifting, it doesn't matter if your doing it for your sport or to get bigger biceps if you can't get yourself in the right place mentally your not going to be anywhere near as good as you could be.

Just a side not this isn't free licence to act like a bellend.

2 - Trying to be Smart

If your not a world class strength athlete or coach you may as well take yourself to one side and admit you know pretty much nothing when it comes to training for top end strength or power.  I will admit that I know little on the subject really, I just apply what I know and it sticks.  For a lot of people they know a little about a lot which in practice means you know roughly f**k all.

Training in practice isn't a science if you try and trick yourself into thinking it is then you don't really get what science is.  Training like any sport is far more art than it will ever be science.  It is collected experience and creative thinking passed on from a coach to an athlete or from an athlete to an athlete.

Sure you can get into programming variables like volume and intensity but soon you won't be able to see the wood for the trees.  Strength training boils down to one core concept.

Do more than last time

How you interpret this is where the art and experience comes in to play but if you loose sight of this point you may as well just pack up and go home.

3 - Being Stubborn and not addressing issues  

You have an ego admit it.  The sooner you accept that deep down inside your just a narcissistic primadonna like the rest of us the easier life is going to be for you.  Everyone has an ego some people are just less self aware then others.

Your ego will get in the way of your success trust me.  Generally the more successful of an athlete or lifter you are the bigger your ego will be and the more it's going to cost you in the long run.  Sure what can that little skinny guy tell me about getting big and strong he can't even squat 120 kg.  Well he might be able to help you with the muscular imbalance that is going to cost you 6 months of training in the future.

Staying injury free is even better than the best programme, coach or "supplements" for a lot of lifters as it lets them train!  The ability to train injury free is often overlooked by strength athletes and athletes in general for that matter.

Don't wear your sore or stiff back as a badge of pride SORT IT OUT!  If that means going to see a physio or doctor then so be it swallow your pride and do what your told it will work out better in the long run.

Marc