The marriage of MIND and MUSCLE.

by

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Trainer Carla

I lifted weights for about six years before I opened my personal training studio.

Yet, even with all those years behind me, I’d naively assumed none of it had become second nature.

I prided myself on my ability to break resistance training down into its most basic form and convey that information to beginners.

I *always* spent time with clients discussing body position, breathing, tempo, stretching before we ever hoisted a weight.

I was aware of the importance of building a solid foundation with my clients information-wise and only after that putting all we’d discussed into practice.

I young.

I was prideful.

I didn’t realize this youngpride until an exchange with a new client made me do the proverbial *facepalm* at my failing to stress the importance of the mind/body connection.

I instructed my client to do a set of squats.

After he finished I asked him to identify for me where he “felt” the exercise.

After a long pause he announced:

In my right calf.

(cue facepalm.)

And cue a long pause/Ah ha! moment on my end.

A much needed mind/muscle connection discussion ensued (highlights of which are in the vlog below).

Too busy for a vlog?

Swinging by my neck of the net whilst hiding from yer boss at work?

Here’s the condensed version:

  • Exercise is 100% like life. You can muddle through with little focus and get MEH results. MENTAL FOCUS = GREATER SUCCESS.
  • The more you *shut out* distraction & visualize muscles working during exercise the better you’ll succeed in working/contracting muscle groups. The more you contract/work muscles the more rapidly (according to those more “expert” than I) muscle definition will appear.
  • Harness the power of the tunes during workouts—but don’t 100% tune out from what you’re doing OR let them distract you from proper form, tight core or tempo.
  • Remember, if you can completely zone out (if your body does your routine as if it’s second nature) you’ve hit an exercise rut. Challenge the mind. Challenge the body.

150 spare seconds to toss my way?

You can hear the tips I shared with my SquattingClient below.

 

Now you.

  • Do you make an effort to focus on the muscles you’re working when you exercise?
  • Are your workouts better/STRONGER when you think about anything BUT the workout?

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Comments

  3. I really like to zone out completely, but most days I am glad to even get in a workout.
    It’s my time for audio books too.

  7. I definitely focus on what I’m doing in that moment– to me, that’s the best part about exercising. You get to shut out everything else in your life!

  8. In my right calf! That is priceless! I have seen results recently with my core work after I really learned to focus my mind on the specific muscles, thanks to a great instructor. With running I completely zone out and that works, but when it comes to strength engaging the mind is a must!

  10. YES! Such an important thing to think about! I’m usually pretty good with this but sometimes derail into that “power through” trap, usually because I’m rushing.

  14. Strength training with weights always fascinated me. The feel of my muscles under my skin. However After all the years and years of trying every diet and workout on the planet it wasn’t until traditional yoga that I found my strength. Focus on the breathing leaves no room for distraction. My own thoughts and outside noises disappear I am fully connected and see a huge correlation of yoga poses and weight training. The difference is my focus from muscle to breath

  15. i always try to maintain proper form while i’m exercising. i feel like it’s pointless to power through a strength training sesssion if you’re not actually working the right muscles (plus i don’t want to injure myself). but i have been in a few exercise classes where the instructor will say “you should be working X muscle group” and i’m pretty sure i’m doing it wrong because i’m feeling the burn elsewhere. LOL.

  17. What a great reminder and so important. I’m usually sweating to much to concentrate on anything else but the exercise, but it’s always a good reminder to do a form check and make sure you really focus on that last contraction. 🙂

  18. I do try to think about the muscles I am supposed to be working with each exercise. It really helps with form and helps me decide when I need to up the resistance.

    I find if my thoughts are wandering, my workout is as well. Kind of like in all aspects of my life 😀

  19. I love to just focus on the movement. It’s part of what I enjoy about working out. The time physically present in my body focused on movement.

  21. Lately I’ve noticed that I haven’t been fully focused when I workout – I am usually thinking ahead to the list of what needs to get done. I try to catch myself and be present in the workout but not having a lot of success. Maybe if I focus on the mind-body connection more I won’t drift so much!!

  22. So many valid points. The same can be said about my running. While I oftentimes like to zone out and get deep in thought I have to remind myself to keep my core tight. etc. Thanks for the reminder!!

  23. For me, working out is a way of me to ESCAPE – however, these days, with all this damn technology, I can never really escape!! 🙁

  24. Some of my best runs, yoga practices, or workout sessions are when I am just present in the moment and doing my thing. It all just comes together and feels amazing. No worries, no stress, I am just going with it…But this also applies with life situations too. It’s such a great feeling!

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