Use Your Brain and Your Body Will Follow

Physical training has been a huge part of my life over the past few years. I’ve gone from taking a general interest in personal fitness to researching a training program to maximize my physical potential, to studying the science of how to train, and eventually taking my own clientele as a personal fitness instructor and business owner. I’ve learned through all of my hard work and through the countless people I have met, that if you apply your mind to understanding training and the reality of what you want to accomplish, you will ultimately attain the results that you seek.

I can see it in almost everyone I meet in my personal training world. I can see it in the students who are calculating the motions I demonstrate to them in their mind, focusing on the nuances of each routine to perfect each motion and get the most out of them. How to arch your back, how to convert tightening your abs and glutes to the subconscious, and how to get into correct positions are just three signs of an intelligent lifter. In my experiences, intelligent lifters are the ones who succeed the most.

Most of these intelligent lifters can be found executing portions of their training routine that solely benefit them in an exercise they will be doing later. Pre-workout stretching that focuses on your hip-flexors doesn’t just loosen you up for later; it helps punctuate your form on lunges. Medicine ball rotational work aren’t just abdomen crushers or exercises designed to increase power, they also free up the back muscles for a more appropriate deadlift or row stance. This high IQ and attention to detail is a characteristic of 99.9% of my most successful training acquaintances (save that 0.1% for that one person who you have no clue about how they maintain such a great physique…we all know one!).

After reading this, judge yourself honestly. Are you one of these people who get it? Or are you one of the people who wish they got it? If you decided on the later, you still have time to smarten up! Pick your instructor’s mind about everything he or she has you doing. Focus on the details and build on your mastery of those to help you execute difficult exercises more efficiently. Read articles and journals on all different aspects of training, and engage in conversation with as many different people as possible to gain a wide perspective on various topics.

Many deficiencies can be overcome by putting your mind to use. You don’t have to be blessed with freakish natural skills. A focused mind and dedicated work ethic will give you a leg up on even the most gifted of athletes.