Learning Weightlifting is like Having a Haircut.
As of late, I have been making sure that I regularly visit my barber to keep my look fresh. So this got me thinking as I watch Tom from Uncle Rocco's work his magic and turn me from a mess to looking sharp. 1. Every lifter is different like every head shape is unique.
There may be certain stereotypes of head shaped such as round, oval, flat, high forehead etc. The barber is experienced enough to understand how to match the hairstyle you want to fit the head shape you have.
Lifting technique is no different. With the body, as you hear from many coaches and many times in my articles, everyone has different lever lengths. You may fall in a certain category of body types but knowing how to specifically tailor to your body type is key to learning the technique which will not only make your lifts look smooth but also sexy.
2. It's about the finer details.
Apart from getting the general look right, the barber also puts the effort into the smaller details such as making sure your hairline is well-kept (i.e. No baby hairs sticking out, keeping the cut even on both sides etc). You can also see him making sure that after styling, another check is done so that nothing is left out to make the look as sharp as it can be.
Again, learning your lifts is no different when it comes to keeping the finer details in check. Small points like how you are holding your hookgrip, or how much your feet should be turned out, where you look etc, all play a part to make sure that you get that smooth lift you are aiming for.
3. It doesn't matter what style you keep.
Everytime I get to sit down on the barber's chair, Tom will ask "What can I do for you today?". The choice is mine to make on what hairstyle I want to have. But at the same time, I also trust him to have a better picture of what suits me.
This goes hand in hand with technique. I always get questions about what technique or style is the best. My answer is always "the one what makes you comfortable and the one that you can keep consistent". Like a new hairstyle, it may feel foreign at the beginning but the look is something you can get used to if you keep to it. Like lifting technique, some of the changes you make may feel foreign but once you keep them consistent, you will see yourself gradually and naturally moving better with it.
4. Visiting the barber regularly is good for your hair.
Having a haircut is what will help keep your hairstyle in check. Allowing it to grow out is fine but too long and it will be too much to handle. Things like knots or split ends (and trust me I have experience with this) can easily get out of hand.
Like your lifts, having that constant feedback is key to allowing you to keep your lifts in check. Because of the reasons above, sometimes assessing yourself may not be the greatest idea and it can be good to have a different perspective. Doing so will ensure that you get to maintain the correct habits and movement patterns for smooth and easy lifts. More importantly, being able to keep you hairstyle sharp and fresh will keep those around you happy as you can see. Like your lifts, it makes everyone including yourself and your coach happy for you to hit an effortless lift.
P.S. If you need a recommendation for a haircut, you won't go wrong with Uncle Rocco's in South Melbourne.
1 Fennell Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria
