In this episode of the Lift Podcast, Coach Harry breaks down the truth about the mind-muscle connection and why it’s not the key driver of muscle growth. If you've ever worried about not "feeling the burn" or struggled with knowing if you're working the right muscles, this episode will clear up all the misconceptions and show you what actually matters for muscle building.
In this episode of the Lift Podcast, Coach Harry breaks down the truth about the mind-muscle connection and why it’s not the key driver of muscle growth. If you've ever worried about not "feeling the burn" or struggled with knowing if you're working the right muscles, this episode will clear up all the misconceptions and show you what actually matters for muscle building.
Key Takeaways:
🔹 What is the Mind-Muscle Connection?
The ability to feel a muscle working during an exercise. While it can be beneficial, it’s not essential for muscle growth.
🔹 The #1 Driver of Muscle Growth
Forget the pump or the burn—the only things that matter are:
1️⃣ Mechanical tension (lifting progressively heavier weights)
2️⃣ Progressive overload (doing more reps or adding weight over time)
🔹 You Don’t Need to Feel a Muscle for It to Grow
Your muscles have to work in order to complete a movement.
If you’re progressively getting stronger on an exercise, the target muscle is growing.
Lifting heavier might reduce how much you feel the muscle, but that doesn’t mean it’s not working.
🔹 Don’t Fall into the Mind-Muscle Connection Trap
🚫 Never sacrifice heavier weights or progress just to "feel" the muscle more.
🚫 Reducing weight just to get more pump slows down your progress.
🔹 The Right Approach?
✅ Use the mind-muscle connection when possible, but don’t stress if you don’t feel it.
✅ Focus on proper technique—good form ensures the right muscle is working.
✅ Keep your eyes on the real goal: getting stronger over time.
Call to Action:
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