Arnold Schwarzenegger used to visualize his biceps growing “as big as mountains” before heavy lifting sessions. It wasn’t just for show. The bodybuilding legend was tapping into a now scientifically-backed phenomenon known as the “mind-muscle connection.”
From thinking about movement to “psyching up” before a workout, research has revealed that muscle strength and performance start in the brain, and that can play a powerful role in unlocking your hidden strength, if you know how to tap into it.
The Mind Drives Initial Gains in the Gym
Studies have found that when a person begins a consistent resistance training routine, they usually see fast improvements in muscle growth and strength. These early gains come mostly from the nervous system, or the mind-muscle connection, rather than the muscles themselves.
