by Tom Pazdernik

As a trainer I always find it interesting when someone “feels” an exercise in a muscle group that is not being directly stimulated. For example, many people new to weight training will point to their triceps after lat pull downs and say that is where they feel the exercise working. This is because of the combination between not knowing that pulling motions target the back and biceps and pulling down a subtly incorrect angle. Anytime I receive such feedback I immediatley educate the peroson with the above information.

Recently I have been paying special attention to clielts form and feedback as to where they feel muscle stimulation. I feel this mind-muscle connection to be a tremendous asset to anyone taking part in weight training. It is not enough to simply go through the motions. When someone consciuosly makes an effort to exhaust the targeted muscle grouops of a given exercise, they will get much more out of the work out. Obviously this is difficult to quanitfy in any measurable way; however I notice clients exhaust a given muscle faster and feel like they get a better overall work out when they maintain perfect mechanics and focus on contracting the appropraite muscles. Before you want to add weight or expect dramatic results- ask yourself, do I know what muscles I am working with each exercise? Do I feel the appropraiate muscles being stimulated? Is my form flawless? I am able to maintain perfect form throught each rep of every set? This simple check list will go a long way in improving your work outs and getting the results you are looking for.