how important is the 'mind-muscle connection'?

[cephissus]

I always aimed for a fixed number of reps, sets, and weight.  Lately, however, I've focused on maintaining focus on muscular sensation: if I can't focus on how the muscles feel in response to each rep, I make adjustments:

- cut a set short
- change number of planned sets
- remain at a given weight instead of ramping up

Conversely, I might extend sets, add weight, etc. If I can maintain sensation.

Previously, I almost completely ignored how bad a set might feel, and 'pushed through the pain'.

Do you balance your plans using muscular feedback?  How important is this?

[Grape Ape]

Going through rehab on my shoulder and leg this past winter, I've developed a new appreciation for it.

For instance, there are certain exercises that target the muscles around the scapulae, my PT person said I did them all arms, and had to make my body "rethink" the proper way.  It took total concentration on the bodypart/area to accomplish this.

[Donny]

Going through rehab on my shoulder and leg this past winter, I've developed a new appreciation for it.

For instance, there are certain exercises that target the muscles around the scapulae, my PT person said I did them all arms, and had to make my body "rethink" the proper way.  It took total concentration on the bodypart/area to accomplish this.

Excellent post and very true.

[Howard]

I always aimed for a fixed number of reps, sets, and weight.  Lately, however, I've focused on maintaining focus on muscular sensation: if I can't focus on how the muscles feel in response to each rep, I make adjustments:

- cut a set short
- change number of planned sets
- remain at a given weight instead of ramping up

Conversely, I might extend sets, add weight, etc. If I can maintain sensation.

Previously, I almost completely ignored how bad a set might feel, and 'pushed through the pain'.

Do you balance your plans using muscular feedback?  How important is this?

Great  thread topic.
To me , getting a good pump via moderate wts with muscle activation works the best

[thegamechanger]

i can get a pump in my arms from posting on getbig, not sure how that leads to muscle growth though

[DanM]

The mind muscle connection concept is just one of many that lazy, weak dudes have coined to avoid training heavy or hard.

[_aj_]

The mind muscle connection concept is just one of many that lazy, weak dudes have coined to avoid training heavy or hard.

Also to avoid training injuries.

[thegamechanger]

the true meaning of mind muscle is to imagine muscle by exercises of the mind and the thoughts alone are so powerful they produce growth in the bodypart that you focus upon

[wes]

It`s of the utmost important............oth erwise you`re just lifting weight.   

[Thong Maniac]

I have found that time under tension sets are pretty drastically changing the shape of my muscles.
Much denser. Im really enjoying TUT sets

[Tennisballz]

The mind muscle connection concept is just one of many that lazy, weak dudes have coined to avoid training heavy or hard.

hi branch

[thegamechanger]

I have found that time under tension sets are pretty drastically changing the shape of my muscles.
Much denser. Im really enjoying TUT sets

yes i like to talk on the phone while doing lifts this increase time under tension i once had a set for biceps last 23 minutes and 12 seconds and afterwards i measured the arm and it was a whole 2 inch bigger

[The Ugly]

Back, very. The rest, not so much. For me, anyway.

[wes]

Back, very. The rest, not so much. For me, anyway.

Good point my friend...........back seems to be the hardest bodypart to "feel" connectionwise .

[The Ugly]

Good point my friend...........back seems to be the hardest bodypart to "feel" connectionwise .

Learned that from Haney. My shit was all arms until he set me straight. "Think of your hands as hooks," he said, "then pull with your elbows."

Changed everything.

[cephissus]

The mind muscle connection concept is just one of many that lazy, weak dudes have coined to avoid training heavy or hard.

I've think when I hold back and maintain muscular sensation, I'm actually able to work harder -- judging in terms of physiological response: sweat, burn, breathing.

If i ignore how poorly a set feels, i can lift more weight for more reps, but end up with nothing but joint pain.  No sweat or tears.

[Croatch]

Just ask Ronnie Coleman about mind muscle connection.  I never saw them use any of this, yet grew immensely.

Genetics, drugs, dedication...end of topic.

You will usually see a lot of juicers work on this "mind muscle" thing.  9x out of 10, it's a cop out for lifting light weight.  Not always the case, but usually.
Guy does 135lbs military press at a body weight of 240lbs.  Puts on a grunting squint face and goes moderately slow.  Tell himself he's focusing on mind muscle.  It's horrid.
There are no actual studies that show you grow more using pussy weight than training heavier and more intense...say Coleman/Dorian.

You can still grow a lot with heavy drug use and genetics.  Mind muscle just allows people to feel like they're in the "know"...but it's usually some tool on ample amounts of drugs who trains like a pussy.
Uhhh...melt...haha

I see this bs all the time.  It's embarrassing to watch.  I actually have no problem with people who actually train hard on drugs and bust their ass...it's these coasting tools that are the problem with bbing today.

Of course, you want to be aware of how you're lifting and contraction..etc, but it really doesn't do much.  It's just more new millennium bro science bs.

Show me one natural guy with great gains who lifts baby dumbells and points to his "mind muscle" connection as the catalyst to his success...haha, sure thing.

[Grape Ape]

Genetics, drugs, dedication...end of topic.

Not in cases of rehab / pt.

[Rudee]

I've slowed down the speed of my reps over the past month or so.   2 seconds positive, 2 seconds negative.   Takes away momentum and allows you to focus on the muscle contracting.   Feels really good after a good workout.

[_aj_]

There are no actual studies that show you grow more using pussy weight than training heavier and more intense...say Coleman/Dorian.

Maybe not, but there are studies that have looked at M/M connection: https://www.t-nation.com/training/mind-muscle-connection-fact-or-bs

I know, I know...T-Nation. But Bret Contreras is pretty good.

[Donny]

It`s of the utmost important............oth erwise you`re just lifting weight.   

yes... itīs like when you masterbate .. you have to concentrate otherwise no end result.

[Waller]

Just ask Ronnie Coleman about mind muscle connection.  I never saw them use any of this, yet grew immensely.

Genetics, drugs, dedication...end of topic.

You will usually see a lot of juicers work on this "mind muscle" thing.  9x out of 10, it's a cop out for lifting light weight.  Not always the case, but usually.
Guy does 135lbs military press at a body weight of 240lbs.  Puts on a grunting squint face and goes moderately slow.  Tell himself he's focusing on mind muscle.  It's horrid.
There are no actual studies that show you grow more using pussy weight than training heavier and more intense...say Coleman/Dorian.

You can still grow a lot with heavy drug use and genetics.  Mind muscle just allows people to feel like they're in the "know"...but it's usually some tool on ample amounts of drugs who trains like a pussy.
Uhhh...melt...haha

I see this bs all the time.  It's embarrassing to watch.  I actually have no problem with people who actually train hard on drugs and bust their ass...it's these coasting tools that are the problem with bbing today.

Of course, you want to be aware of how you're lifting and contraction..etc, but it really doesn't do much.  It's just more new millennium bro science bs.

Show me one natural guy with great gains who lifts baby dumbells and points to his "mind muscle" connection as the catalyst to his success...haha, sure thing.

It's not something you can see....?

Just because he looks like he's slinging weight it doesn't mean he can't feel it exactly where he wants.

[thegamechanger]

meatheads like to refer to "the mind" to pretend theyre smart and using their brains.
they dont want to be seen as someone who just lifts weights up and down rather as mastermind geniuses.

[Donny]

meatheads like to refer to "the mind" to pretend theyre smart and using their brains.
they dont want to be seen as someone who just lifts weights up and down rather as mastermind geniuses.

on a serious note.. training has a very wide training spectrum if you look into the training principles. therefor you need to plan what your priority is.. i like supersets. I take the piss out of Weider but he did organize training to a point where you can say Bodybuilding is not just lifting weights. concentration and planning are important. If you have a weak Bodypart you need or should use exercises and principles to bring it up to standard. However nature and genetics do take a big role as we all know.

[cephissus]

Honestly I think most people who reply like croatch just have had the good instincts to pay attention to their feelings from the start.

A lot of successful gym goers seem to be 'intuitive types' anyway.