Mind-Muscle Connection

A slimmer, more fit body might be the reason you join a gym, but your best gains may depend on mental strength. Brazilian researchers have found that participants in a study were able to train harder and more effectively with the help of a fitness professional such as a personal trainer. A personal trainer is able to give the support and motivation needed to help a person push through those last few reps.

The psychological reinforcement that new participants received from their trainers helped them lift more weight than those who worked out on their own. We all know that the human brain is a powerful tool, but not many of us realize just how much our thoughts affect what goes on in the rest of our bodies.

This is also a two-way street. The more motivation and support your mind receives to work hard, chances are, the better your workout is going to be. Then, your muscles work hard during either a cardio, resistance or circuit routine, and signal the brain to release those "feel good" endorphins and hormones into your blood system that give you that tremendous feeling at the end of a workout, also referred to as "runner's high".

For years, doctors and researchers have thought that it was impossible for the human brain to grow new brain cells or to make or repair connections within the central nervous system. New studies are now being conducted where studies are showing an increase in brain activity in participants who exercised regularly, and even combating mental illnesses such as dementia.

You can read more about exercise and its positive effects on dementia here

To give personal training a shot, don't be afraid of attending my Tuesday evening class at the Orangeville Women's Health club from 6:30-7:15pm weekly. I also have an advanced athletic bootcamp workshop beginning in January 2011 that will run for 6 weeks. Information for both can be attained in person at the Club, or on the OWHC Facebook page.

Tyler Robbins B.Sc. PTS