As a strength coach, I believe when anyone first gets into training with weights, they should first focus on building a solid base developed from bodybuilding techniques and methodologies. Great things can happen by understanding and experiencing the mind-muscle connection, learning how to hold tension, and bringing mindful, conscious thought to the body’s movement. Once these foundational pillars have been learned, normally around 6-9 months or so, they can progress more effectively into other weight training disciplines like Olympic lifting, powerlifting or strong man.
The Need For Learning Precision Movement Through Conscious Thought
The need for this wouldn’t be so necessary if more coaches and social media influencers encouraged or even understood the need for conscious thought in developing precision movement. Still, it hugely helps early on so that unconscious precision movement can take place while preventing injuries and helping to create good posture and maintain overall balance in the human body.
This is based not only on my own personal anecdote but also on a decade of training other people from different walks of life and lifting experience, observing which people generally progress faster and incur fewer injuries overall.
When I first started weight training, my journey began through the world of bodybuilding almost 25 years ago. I am truly grateful it began there first, as bodybuilding combined with martial arts has given me a huge amount of in-body awareness. Having in-body awareness helps me execute moves fluidly whilst knowing exactly where my body is in space with minimal practice, as well as allowing me to self-assess and diagnose when im developing imbalances. Developing some imbalance from time to time through sports or life is normal, but because I can feel it beginning to happen, I can make sure I begin corrective exercises to reestablish balance.
Now, when it comes to strength training for the general population, far too much emphasis is placed on adding more weight to the bar, which is only 1 method of progressive overload. Still, it is the one everyone chases, but to truly experience the benefits of strength training, it’s vital to establish proper form and technique, which allows you to leverage your body in a far more efficient and safe manner. Basically, you can feel your back bending like a banana and either stabilise it or hold it straight, and this is where learning to lift like a bodybuilder comes in handy.
Bodybuilders are known for their impressive physiques, but they also possess a high level of in-body awareness and muscle control. By learning to lift like a bodybuilder, you can develop these skills and take your strength training to the next level.
In-Body Awareness
In-body awareness refers to the ability to sense and control the position and movement of your body in space, which is important for strength training because it allows you to perform exercises with proper form and technique, reducing the risk of injury and improving the effectiveness of the exercises.
Muscle control
Muscle control is the ability to contract and relax individual muscle groups selectively when needed, which is important for strength training because it allows you to target specific muscle groups, leading to greater muscle development.
The Mind-Muscle Connection
When you learn to lift like a bodybuilder, you will focus on proper form and technique, which will help you develop in-body awareness and muscle control simultaneously. You can then take advantage of what is known as the mind-muscle connection, which refers to the ability to focus and direct mental energy to specific muscle groups during physical activity. Developing this connection allows for better activation and control of the muscle being targeted, leading to improved muscle growth and strength. It is an important aspect of bodybuilding and strength training and can be improved through techniques such as visualisation and proper form.
Target Weak Muscle Groups With Pin Point Accuracy
In addition, bodybuilders often utilise isolation exercises, specifically targeting one muscle group at a time. Beginners will benefit from this because it allows them to strengthen weak muscle groups. Most often, the upper back, glutes and hamstrings all usually caused by work-related posture problems allowing them to begin their specific weight training style from a better base.
In conclusion
When starting strength training, it is important to focus on building a solid base developed from bodybuilding techniques and methodologies. This includes understanding mind-muscle connection, holding tension, and learning proper form and technique. Bodybuilding not only helps to develop impressive physiques but also helps to develop in-body awareness and muscle control and prevent injuries. By learning to lift like a bodybuilder, beginners can take their strength training to the next level and achieve greater muscle development while reducing the risk of injury. Remember, it’s not just about adding more weight to the bar, it’s about learning to leverage your body in a safe and efficient manner.