Keeping Your Goals in Perspective: Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, and Social Media Reality Checks

Setting big goals is essential in any training journey. But keeping those goals in perspective is just as important, especially in strength sports like powerlifting and bodybuilding. It’s easy to get caught up scrolling through social media, seeing elite athletes lifting 800-pound squats or showcasing pro-level physiques. This constant exposure can make your own progress feel small. But the reality is, you’ve already come much further than most people ever will.

The truth is simple. Most people in the gym—and definitely most people outside of it—can’t bench their body weight. Many can’t bench 225 pounds, even with years of training. Each milestone you hit, whether it’s 315, 405, or 500 pounds, places you in a much smaller, elite group. The same goes for stepping on a bodybuilding stage or pushing your deadlift into advanced numbers. These are achievements very few people can claim.

Social media creates a false reality where you only see the top performers. This narrow view can distort your goals. Once you’re squatting 600 or 700 pounds, you’re already ahead of 99% of the world’s population. But because your world is filled with lifters chasing 900 or 1,000-pound squats, you forget how far you’ve come.

That’s why it’s critical to reflect on your journey. Every milestone you’ve hit, from your first bodyweight squat to your biggest PR, is part of your story. That 600-pound squat that doesn’t feel “good enough” now? At one point, it was your ultimate goal.

And while chasing a 900 or 1,000-pound squat is admirable, understand that very few people ever reach those heights. Even with perfect training, nutrition, and recovery, there’s no guarantee. But your progress isn’t defined by one number. It’s about the work you’ve put in, the consistency you’ve shown, and the progress you’ve made compared to your past self.

Stepping outside of your social media bubble helps. In the real world, your lifts and progress stand out. Most people will never even try to do what you’ve done. That perspective shift is key to staying motivated and mentally healthy in this sport.

At Janus Performance Coaching, we believe in chasing big goals while keeping your mindset grounded. Celebrate your wins, stay hungry for more, but never lose sight of how far you’ve already come.

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