Have you ever heard the term Mind to Body or Mind to Muscle connection and wondered what it means?

Mind to muscle connection is a phrase that is being thrown around a lot these days, but it is definitely more than just a trend. Incorporating mind-muscle connection into your workout will change the way you exercise.

What Is Mind To Muscle Connection?

Since movement is controlled by the brain, the mind-muscle connection brings deliberate awareness to the movement of the body with particular emphasis on muscle contraction during exercises. More specifically, it is the ability to focus your mind on the contractions and tensions created by the muscle or muscles that are being moved. This consciousness helps to improve the connection between the body’s intentional and deliberate movements.

How Does Mind To Muscle Improve Your Workout

Being conscious and focused on your movements and more specifically, your muscle contractions, has many benefits. Not only will it improve the effectiveness of your workout, but overtime the training method will help to improve the precision and control of your body and its movements. By continuously focusing on deeply contracting the target muscles, you are training your body to recruit the correct muscles for a particular movement. Furthermore, this will also help create better overall muscular balance.   

How To Improve Mind To Muscle Connection

As with most things, regular practice will help to improve that connection between mind and body. Here are some tips to help build a better awareness of your body’s movement.

  1. Stay present during your workout, do not zone out.

  2. Think about the muscle or muscles you are trying to target.

  3. Try biofeedback by applying a little bit of pressure with your fingers to the muscle you are trying to work. This will make it easier to isolate the muscle with your mind.

About the Author

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Clayton Cross

Clayton Cross is a Certified Athletic Therapist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Co-Owner of COAST with over 15 years of experience. He works with clients ranging from everyday individuals to professional and Olympic athletes, using a whole-body approach to assess and treat the root cause of injuries. With a background in kinesiology and former role as Fitness Coordinator for the Vancouver Police Department, Clayton blends manual therapy and movement-based rehab to restore function and performance.

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