Weightlifting Legend Donny Shankle espouses on how to get not just bigger, but eye- turning, jaw-dropping gains.
Getting a 600-pound squat, or an eye turning physique is not just about the workouts, nutrition and genetics. It is also about the atmosphere you train in, who you train with and the mentality you take to approaching your goals. These are the true secrets to the gains that only a few will ever attain.
1. Become Part of a Team
The gym crowd is an interesting one because these are a bunch of individuals seeking each of their individual goals. My first gym experience was a team atmosphere after my time in Iraq and I have never changed it. Reaching goals in athletics is always easier with a team. For those who are truly serious about seeking eye-turning and jaw-dropping gains, my advice is to find a gym where you are not just a number but a member of something larger. You will find that your personal goals will be reached faster.
2. Compete
Every Friday, we have “control” days where each member of our gym is invited to come in the afternoon and perform his or her weekly goal lift. The big guns (like myself) usually start off the show, but then at least one third of our members each week all start going individually or in small groups after their most recent weightlifting goals (such as a new personal record in the squat, clean, snatch, vertical leap, 40-yard dash and even a weekly weigh-in). This competitive, yet supportive atmosphere breeds new records and new goals being met.
3. Go After Your Goal
Last year, I decided to move from the 105 kg. weight class (230 lbs.) to the 105+ kg. weight class. To do this you cannot simply be slightly bigger and stronger, you have to be dramatically bigger and stronger. My diet was the hardest part because going from a quality 230 lbs. to 260 or 275 lbs., I needed to add the weight on while training several times a day. I worked with our sports nutritionist in doing so and eventually we put bottles of canola oil on top of the mini-fridge, located by the front desk of the training hall. Each time I went by, I took a quick shot. It got me to my new weight and helped me to my biggest lifts on record: 211 kg. clean and jerk (465 lbs.), 185 kg. snatch (407 lbs.) and a 301 kg. back squat (662 lbs).
Next time you are wondering how to get yourself to your goals faster think about the atmosphere you train in, who you train with, and the mentality you take to approaching your goals as these are often more important and neglected in training than the actual movements themselves.
Donald Shankle – Donny is two-time national champion Olympic style weightlifter from New Orleans. A veteran of the Iraq war, Donny is best known for rising in the sport of Olympic weightlifting in 18 short months to claim the title of national champion in the 105 kg weight class. Currently Donny is one of the strongest men in the country in both the classic lifts and just about anything he puts his mind to. Donny can be reached at donny@donnyshankle.com