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According to strength coach Mark Rippetoe, in his book, "Practical Programming," weightlifting has a pronounced effect on an athlete's psychological development. Especially with the heavy weights that powerlifters lift, the hormonal response triggered by strength training has a definite effect on brain activity. And while many non-athletes are quick to notice the negative psychological effects of weightlifting, such as aggressiveness and narcissism, studies have pointed out that there are many positive effects as well.
Aggressiveness Perhaps the most often noted psychological effect of lifting heavy weights is aggressiveness. Walk into any gym and you are bound to notice some muscle-bound male heaving superhero amounts of weight around, grimacing and grunting. He will, almost invariably, slam the weights down. Fights have even broken out in gyms over whose turn it is to use a particular weight bench.
In a paper published by the University of Hawaii, entitled "Personality Concepts and Behaviors in Weight Lifting," weightlifter Rowney Martinez points out that most of the aggressive tendencies of males in the weight room are cause by either hormonal arousal, or a perception that "weightlifters are supposed to be aggressive."
While the aggressive response to a hormonal release caused by lifting heavy weights is largely unavoidable, the second issue can--and should be--overcome. It is imperative that serious weightlifters make a concerted effort to forgo the violently aggressive rituals of the typical gym scene. Doing so would not only avoid "scaring off" new gym members, but would help improve the public image of weightlifting and powerlifting as serious sports.
Aggressiveness Perhaps the most often noted psychological effect of lifting heavy weights is aggressiveness. Walk into any gym and you are bound to notice some muscle-bound male heaving superhero amounts of weight around, grimacing and grunting. He will, almost invariably, slam the weights down. Fights have even broken out in gyms over whose turn it is to use a particular weight bench.
In a paper published by the University of Hawaii, entitled "Personality Concepts and Behaviors in Weight Lifting," weightlifter Rowney Martinez points out that most of the aggressive tendencies of males in the weight room are cause by either hormonal arousal, or a perception that "weightlifters are supposed to be aggressive."
While the aggressive response to a hormonal release caused by lifting heavy weights is largely unavoidable, the second issue can--and should be--overcome. It is imperative that serious weightlifters make a concerted effort to forgo the violently aggressive rituals of the typical gym scene. Doing so would not only avoid "scaring off" new gym members, but would help improve the public image of weightlifting and powerlifting as serious sports.
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