CrossFit Games 2008 champ Jason Khalipa says lifting heavy takes a special environment.
Several months ago, I competed in a powerlifting competition in Northern California. As a CrossFitter, I knew going in that my numbers would be nowhere near the numbers the powerlifters would put up, especially those wearing gear. But I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and put myself in an atmosphere that would hopefully help me set a few new personal records.
The lifting experience was amazing. I ended up setting two new personal records, but more importantly I walked away with a new respect for the amount of weight some people can lift, and the experience had a lasting effect on me.
After the meet and the PRs, I asked myself a question: "Did I get stronger than I was a week ago when I tested these lifts or was it truly a mental thing?"
I decided it was absolutely all mental, just like much of CrossFit.