Remember, this shit takes time- Matt Phelps

REMEMBER, THIS SHIT TAKES TIME


Recently, I have received questions about programming and what kind of sets I do to increase the bench press.  Many of the inquirers are relatively new to the world of powerlifting and are looking to the more experienced lifters for programming, nutrition and technique advice which is fuckin’ great. 


 In the world of powerlifting, things are different.  People really want to see each other succeed.  Direct competitors cheer for each other.  People get together on social media to help each other and give advice.  Many experienced lifters I know spend hours of their limited free time helping out new lifters in any way they can.  That’s not to say you shouldn’t be competitive with other lifters when you’re competing.  Cheer for your competitors, but also try to crush them.  That being said, it is incumbent upon you to approach your training knowing that elite lifters aren’t grown over night, whether its bench only, full power, deadlift only, whatever.   THIS SHIT TAKES TIME.


Nothing I can tell you will make your bench press go from 300 to 500 in a year.  If I could, believe me I would.  I can give you advice, and happily will, to quicken your ascent to your desired goal weight, I can give you names of better lifters than myself to check out so you can watch their videos for form analysis and I can and will support you in any way I can.  However, whether your goal is a huge total, a huge bench, excelling in bodybuilding, strongman or god forbid it, crossfit, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stay consistent and pick a program and stick to it for a considerable amount of time.  If you take breaks from training regularly just because you don’t feel like it, fuckin’ don’t.  Go to any gym anywhere for a long period of time and you’ll see people that come and go, people that never ask anyone anything and wander around from machine to machine and do easy weight, and thus, always look the same and never get any stronger.  They lack direction, consistency, appropriate effort and unfortunately, guidance.  


Big numbers take LOTS of time to achieve.  I don’t care if you’re drug free or not, the huge numbers take time.  If you’re a drug free lifter, be cognizant that it may take you a little more time.  Your connective tissues and CNS especially, take time to adapt to heavier and heavier weights, that is why it takes so fucking long.  It is important to push yourself at least occasionally with heavier and heavier weight on that first set every week to push your body to become familiar with heavier weight than you’re used to.  This is what I call effort.  Make yourself uncomfortable, scare yourself (just make sure you have a spotter that’s worth a shit).


The three most important supplements are time, effort and consistency.  Elite levels of strength, elite bodybuilding physiques, attaining an elite level or a World Record in anything takes years of training and practice.  There may be someone with a better roll of the genetic dice than you, but does he work as hard as you? Is he there 5 days a week like you?  Is he still going to be there next year, or during sexy body beach season?  Time, effort and consistency.  These three things will get you more results with any program you choose than anything you can buy at the fucking store or anything I can tell you.  Work on your form, push yourself, watch better lifters than yourself, stay consistent, out train your opponents and you’ll realize one day that even though this shit takes time, it is now finally, YOUR TIME.  ALPHA ATHLETE MATT PHELPS