Training Partners & match training

Who you train with can be just as important as where you train.  Once you have your training programs down, atmosphere is everything.  The people you train with will influence your technique, your attitude, and diet.  In terms of weightlifting, I mean "training partner" as in anyone who trains at the same time as you-- either on your platform or across from you.  

Often, elite athletes will seek out training with someone in their weight class who lifts a few kilos more than them.  Yes, training with your competition may sound counterintuitive; however, if you apply some game theory, it actually is more of a win win situation, as both lifters will improve.

Aside from motivation, you can learn a lot from training with other individauls.  Take me, for example.  Right now, I am so blessed.  Today, I trained with a top 5 in the world 63kg lifter from Mexico, a top 15 63kg  lifter from Guatemala,  one of the best 77kg lifters from South America, and an up and coming US superheavyweight. 

The most important things I learned training at Risto Sports that last few months:
1. Don't be too hard on yourself:  lifters who vy for medals at the Olympics have bad days too.  They miss lifts.  They have good days and miss lifts too.   The point is, always move forward, don't let one bad day hold you back.

2. Every lifter has strengths and weakenesses.  My squat is way, way less than any of these lifters. One lifter was incredibly strong, yet didnt snatch much more than me. Another lifter was not much stronger than this particular lifter, yet could snatch my  clean and jerk.  So, at the end of the day, I felt much better about my technique and realized, for me, its a leg strength game. 

3. Realizing that accomplishing your dreams is possible & having the right mentality will enable you to complete and excel at your workouts.  I remember, Last, when I had a high volume day, I would look at the workout and think " how am I goin to get this done".  Today, I just walk-in, look at my workout, and start.  Some of the lifters at my gym are better at this than others; having several positive people around you will raise the bar for everyone.