High Frequency Training: The Mental Game

If you follow our blog, you know by now that we love high frequency training: microworkouts, done throughout the day to build up a volume of “good reps.” That means the maintenance of good technique, with no straining–as soon as the reps slow down, you stop. This technique was coined by Russian Kettlebell Master Pavel Tsatsouline as “Greasing the groove.” 

But there is another kind of “high frequency,” and that is the mental side of training. This is the frequency of energy that all things in the universe radiate. This has been explored in many muscle testing experiments when subjects focus on either a positive (high frequency) or a negative (low frequency) thought and then test their ability to hold their arm out and resist it being pushed down to their side. There are many experiments that report stronger muscle performance when focusing on positive thoughts, or when a subject is vibrating at a higher frequency. You may have also heard of experiments when plants thrive when subjected to positive, nurturing statements and wilt when exposed to negative, attacking statements. Similar experiments have been done in relation to growing crystal formations with the same results.

We have often fallen into the temptation of doing heavy lifts or certain workouts in a state of anger, thinking we were working through the anger, and “de-stressing” ourselves. The late, great Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh cautioned against using physical acts to work out anger, suggesting that doing physical activity in anger is like rehearsing the anger over and over again in your central nervous system. This makes sense to us. 

These days, we take a few moments to cultivate a positive feeling about ourselves before a big lift or a hard workout. This turns any training session into an affirmation and celebration of what you CAN do, not a punishment for what you CAN’T do. This method also helps cultivate a positive relationship to yourself and your body, which for many is hard to come by in this age of Instagram-filter-perfect cultural pressure. As evidenced in a growing body of research, it also makes you stronger and will improve your performance in a workout. 

So, be an encouraging, positive, high frequency-radiating friend to yourself while training. Our experience is that you will get stronger, fitter, have less injuries, while developing a growing positive relationship with yourself and your body. 

Until next time

Scott & Lennart