Heaviest Ball in the Gym

In 2015 I learned something important about the human mind and how we create our own limitations.

Back then we only had two (lol) medicine balls at the gym. An 8 pound ball and a 12 pounder.

After a few months the 8 pound ball was looking beat up, but the 12 pounder looked brand new. If someone was waiting for the 8 pound ball, I would suggest they try their medicine ball slams with the 12 pound ball instead.

I can't do that, they would reply, it's the heaviest ball in the gym!

I bought another 8 pound ball. Soon both of the 8 pound balls were wearing down and the 12 pounder was still pristine.

This time, when it was time to order some new medicine balls, I bought a 20 pound and 14 pound ball.

Something funny happened.

Suddenly, the 12 pound ball was no longer the heaviest. People who wouldn't use the 12 started using the 14, since now it wasn't even close to the heaviest medicine ball in the gym.

The same thing happened with the kettlebells. No one would swing a 45 pound kettlebell when it was the heaviest one in here. But, once there were several heavier than that, more and more people started to swing the 45.

We need context for everything. Including figuring out our limitations and comfort zone.

Seeing the heaviest medicine ball in the gym can be intimidating. But it isn't intimidating when it's the second, or third heaviest.

Justin Miner

@justinminergain