Strength training: a trick

Self-tutoring about strength training: the tutor mentions a pragmatic deception.

I lift weights with my 16-year-old son. During the past 8 months, he’s overtaken my strength in every dimension. Now, the weights he warms up with are often my maximum lifts.

On bench, I’ve been struggling to break 135lbs. Yesterday, I was warming up with some light lifts on bench press. Next, my son told me he’d load the bar with 125lbs, to get me ready for 135lbs after a few more lifts.

I lifted the 125lbs. After I’d replaced it on the rack, my son came around from the spotting position: “You lifted 135lbs. I just told you it was 125. Come look.”

I got up and sure enough, he’d put 25 and two 10s on each side (the bar weighs 45). Before my lift, he’d told me it was 25, 10, and 5 each side. Thinking my trouble was mental, he’d tricked me. It worked.

I was able to lift 135lbs one more time.

BTW: he warmed up with 135lbs:)