Personal Best So Close You Can Smell It

Smelling salts, also known as ammonia salt inhalants, are used to arouse consciousness. The ammonia gas triggers an inhale reflex that improves airflow and possibly also alertness. An interesting study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research takes smelling salts into the weight room.
 
Twenty men with weight training experience were assessed for maximum force and rate of force development. Then they inhaled smelling salts, a placebo or didn’t inhale anything before performing mid-thigh pulls. There was a significant increase in rate of force development with the use of smelling salts which also contributed to a small improvement in maximal force production.