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As a trainer, I stress this to clients.
Over the years, it has even transformed how I train myself.
What is the mind-muscle connection?
This technique involves actively thinking about the muscle being worked to enhance contraction and optimize engagement.
Its about training your mind to focus on what your muscles are doing and how they feel.
Luke is a qualified S&C coach, personal trainer, yoga teacher and Pilates instructor.
Does mind-muscle connection really work?
In one word: yes!
Your ability to consciously activate muscles can prevent injury, improve form and even increase results.
Lets take theplankas a great example.
This improves muscle fiber contraction, making you stronger and more powerful.
Eryn is a personal trainer with a master’s in strength and conditioning.
She works withThe Fitness Groupand also coaches.
Eryn Barber, a personal trainer with a master’s in strength and conditioning, agrees.
This is especially important for strength athletes such as bodybuilders or powerlifters…to increase muscle mass and strength.
When rushing, like most things in life, you don’t get the most juice from the lemon.
It’s about taking your time.
Nick is the co-founder and head of teaching at Hotpod Yoga.
How can I improve my mind-muscle connection?
S&C coach Hughes tells us there are multiple ways to improve your mind-muscle connection.
To start with, remove any external distractions that can compete with your brain’s attention, he says.
This means turning your phone off and taking your earphones out.
This has three benefits: injury prevention, MMC and affiliated performance.
Personal trainer Barber agrees that warming up is essential.
Use activation sets, she advises.
If you’re a beginner, choose a lighter weight so you canreallyfocus on the contraction.
If the weight is too heavy, you will lose control of your internal focus.
As an example of concentric contraction, imagine the curling action of a bicep curl.
The eccentric motion would be the uncurling phase of the exercise.
While coping with an injury, you may experience a weakened connection between the brain and muscles.
MMC can act almost as a reignition or reconnection in these cases.
By training the nervous system to recruit muscles efficiently, you build resilience.
