You can make your exercise sessions more effective for your BODY by using your BRAIN. The benefit will be mutual since exercising your body causes enriched blood flow to take place over your entire body which benefits the brain as well. Dr. Daniel Amen has written an entire book about this and is a top proponent of exercise (combined with proper nutrition) to make your brain healthier.
When you begin performing an exercise you have never done before, your brain and nervous system have to create new synapses (connections between your brain and muscle) so that the movement can take place. The brain has to be able to send the signals for the muscle to move in the correct fashion via the synapse. This structure gets stronger and more efficient with use. That’s the reason that athletes at the top of their games still practice frequently – often daily. Many times I have watched people struggle mightily on their first repetition of a new exercise making me wonder if the weight was excessive. I have learned to wait and watch though, because many times the reps get easier as the set progresses and the synapse strengthens.
The problem is making sure you’re doing the movement correctly. BAD habits are reinforced with repetition just like doing things properly. This is where consulting a trainer is especially useful. Not just any trainer, of course! I am a stickler for doing exercises in the safest and most effective way, and the mind/muscle connection is an important tool that will help you as you continue down the road to better health, fitness and appearance.
Knowing how to focus the exercise into the targeted muscles is of great importance as well. We’ll discuss that in future articles. As always, contact me today to get started moving in the right direction.
Dave – Your Harford County, Maryland Personal Fitness Trainer
Results are what you’ll get when you train with me. I’m conveniently located in Forest Hill near the center of Harford County, Maryland. Clients come to me from Fallston, Jarrettsville, Bel Air, Forest Hill and Baltimore. I’ve got the experience, the ability, the knowledge and the success stories of my students to testify that my training is result driven and result based. Visit my webpage for more information.
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