Something we as personal trainers sometimes forget is coaching the thought process. When working face to face we usually have the liberty to just change things on the go if we don’t like what we are seeing.

Now that we are coaching at a distance (facetime, zoom, messenger etc) we are reminded that people sometimes need to know what they should be trying to think and feel during a set. Here is the most important coaching point of all:

“In proper exercise you aren’t so much trying to complete movements from start point to finish point and back again. The goal of a push-up (during exercise) isn’t to push up off the floor and back again. What should hold your primary attention is feeling the muscles you are supposed to be using. You need to isolate in your mind how those muscles feel – squeezing and contracting followed by stretching and resisting the weight.“

You want to be placing very high tension and fatigue on your muscles. You need to learn to control flexing them and squeezing them very hard. If you don’t do this you are just using your whole body, some momentum and whatever works to create the movement pattern. Your muscles only know tension and tiredness they don’t care what actions you choose to create.

Doing this is not natural because at first it makes the discomfort of exercise seem all the louder. In time though you will find it finds you building huge confidence with being physical and athletic. Focus on feeling your specific muscles and groups of muscles working and make your reps harder NOT easier. Remember you are trying to get stronger not just pay lip service to working out.

See you soon in part 2.

Be well, be strong

Andrew and Tierney