Interview with CriticalBench.com

When I was asked to do an interview with CriticalBench.com last month, I was a bit surprised. The site’s other interviews are with bodybuilders, powerlifters, and strongmen. I didn’t see where I fit in, not just because I can’t lift has as much as they can (I currently can bench only around 110kg), but also because my approach to training is very different. However the interview was quite good and they asked several new and interesting questions about training, about Bondarchuk, and about more interesting topics like the interplay between academics and athletics, transitioning from college to international competitions, and what the hammer feels like. Click here to read the complete interview.

In the theme of the New York Times article from last week, I thought I would post an excerpt from one question about how it feels to throw the hammer:

Critical Bench: Various throwing athletes have described the interaction or feedback they get from an implement as being unique compared to the experience of other sports. Is there a specific appeal for you in this? Perhaps something more people should be aware of?

Martin Bingisser: It is very unique. You really can feel the smallest changes, especially when you throw alone as much as I do. I learned on my own, and even now that I have a coach, I still train by myself most days since he is halfway across the world. My only coach when I am alone is feeling. And after eight or ten thousand throws each year, you get very finely tuned. I played tennis and baseball a lot growing up, but I never felt the same connection to my racket or bat. On a good throw the hammer feels like it becomes part of you.

Unlike weightlifting and powerlifting, we do not compete to failure. The goal in those sports is to get as close to your best as you can without failing. If it is too easy, then you didn’t get your best result. The throwing events are the complete opposite. We go for maximum power and speed. As a result, our best results actually feel the easiest. They come when all the elements line up and every ounce of energy is focused on the hammer. This throw feels effortless since everything is efficiently working together. It sounds cliché, but it is almost a zen-like state. Once you get a taste of it, every thrower spends years chasing it.

If you get a chance, visit CriticalBench.com to read the interview in its entirety.