The power of mind muscle connection

In well-intentioned efforts to achieve our fitness goals, we often focus on:

• physical exertion,

• number of reps,

• or the amount of weight lifted.

However, there is a critical element that is often overlooked and holds the key to unlocking our full physical potential; this is the mind muscle connection.

The mind-muscle connection is the ability to consciously engage and activate specific muscles whilst exercising. It means directing your attention to the muscle group you are wanting to target and truly feeling its contraction and movement. This ability means going beyond just moving through the motions; rather, it involves you having a deep awareness of your body and its intended range of motion.

There are several benefits you can extract from this connection that include:

1. When you focus on the targeted muscle, you utilise more muscle fibres, which leads to greater activation and muscle growth; improving strength and overall performance.

2. It supports proper form and workout technique. When you actively engage the desired muscle, you reduce your body recruiting other muscles you're not wanting to target (because your body naturally wants to help make the movement as easy as possible). This can help prevent imbalances, reduce the risk of injury (which is one of my key values), and more accurately use your wanted muscle group effectively.

3. It adds an extra element to your training experience, enabling you to be present and fully engaged in each rep you undertake. This mindfulness can help you check out of the world for that time, and be more present in your workout.
   

So how can you implement more mind-muscle connection today?

• Mentally focus and visualise the muscle you're trying to target

• Slow down the pace of your repetitions

• Emphasise the contraction or extension of the specific muscle for the entire range of motion

• Experiment with using verbal or visual cues that help you you focus on your intended muscle. Your personal trainer could help with this

• Have a training partner or personal trainer physical touch the muscle you're targeting to help you contract the muscle

• Research and understand the way the muscle moves, and when you workout, call out the muscle you're wanting to work

By developing mind and muscle connection, you can optimise your workouts, improve form, and build body awareness.

It may take time to feel confident in this new skill, however with repetition you will start to see the tangible benefits in your body.

Your challenge:

Choose one of the dot points above that can help you improve your mind muscle connection for your next workout!

#workout #fitness #wellbeing #personaltrainer #training