The similarities between zen meditation and the bench press.

Today i realized that zen meditation and bodybuilding both have the same ultimate challenge - dealing with the childish/lazy aspects of our minds.

So far, my experiment of doing lower reps, higher intensity ( rather than low intensity, high rep ) has paid off. 2 weeks later, i am still adding 5-10lbs on at least one machine per day at equivalent rep counts/set counts. This is revolutionary for me.

High weight, low rep certainly makes your body/mind protest! My problem was that i started taking these signals seriously and avoided that uncomfortable feeling, so i did low weight, high rep. Big mistake.

I'm now convinced that the key to gains is to stop asking your body and mind for consent. The more uncomfortable, the better, as with meditation.

The first thing that happens when you start a meditation session is extreme mental discomfort. One must observe the temper tantrum your brain is going through, without entertaining it. Next, come the feelings and thoughts.. and you let those pass too.. and eventually you reach that heightened state of perception where the mind is quiet.. your ego and temper tantrum no longer color your perception of reality... and for a moment, you can see the world in a different light.

It is the same struggle with physical activity. You constantly get signals of discomfort. Your body really doesn't want to expend the energy and/or feel an ounce of pain. ...so here comes the temper tantrum!

Body: "This is too much weight, i can barely do it!"
Incorrect response: okay, let's drop the weight a little.
Correct response: perfect! that's just the right amount!

Body: "I can't do that last rep, let's stop!"
Incorrect response: okay, take a break.
Correct response: oh yeah? either you do it right now or you owe me 2 more reps as interest on top of what you failed to perform. What'll it be?

Body: "This particular machine/exercise is too hard!"
Incorrect response: okay, let's do another exercise we find more comfortable.
Correct response: good, we found a weakness.. looks like we'll need to do that tomorrow also.

..and so forth.

And as with meditation.. if you put your hour in and beat your own will.. you always feel like you're on top of the world afterwards. If you just went through the motions and didn't have a challenge.. it's basically wasted time.

So yeah.. discomfort is the only way to grow.. mentally, spiritually, and physically :)