A neat trick I’ve been using during calisthenics is this:
While doing something relatively easy like a pushup or a Hindu squat I’ll visualize a similar movement pattern like a bench press or a squat, but with a weight far heavier than my 1rm.
Sometimes every rep has the visualization, and sometimes only the last rep of the set.
Visualizing the harder exercise makes the calisthenic both easier and more effective.
You get into a zen place where the reps fly past easily, yet the pump,the activation in the muscles is far more than if you were just banging out the reps.
You hear of visualization for athletes, I never fully got it until a few nights ago doing my pushups in the aforementioned style.
As far as training is concerned this is esoteric stuff.
It goes along real well with isometric and dynamic work.
This may be part of Tai Chi/ Chi Gung style’s benefits…. Visualization.
I’ve done stuff like this in the past when I had no gym access, and little equipment.
This type of practice allows for rapid strength gain by turning off regulators in our body be they physical or mental.
Think of it this way; it’s been shown that visualization alone can cause the muscles involved in the visualized act to fire, so why not combine this with movement?
Doing this causes a compounding effect.
Think of the uses, and applications.
Landmine work while visualizing breaking jaws with Tyson like blows.
The strength that can be built with little to no equipment.
Hell, you’re so dialed in, and so focused that it’ll even be less wear and tear on the body.
There’s definitely something to visualization. It’s not some looney thing that doesn’t work. It may seem looney, but it does work.
Give it a fair shot. Next time you’re doing pushups visualize benching 405+.
It’s a cool sensation. You’ll like it.
-J