Get bigger and stronger muscles by thinking harder, says trainer Adam Gethin
How can my brain make my muscles bigger?
Your muscles are controlled by your brain through a vast network of neural pathways, which connect to each and every one of them. Electrical impulses from the brain tell your muscles to contract and relax, and it’s these actions that allow you to do everything from standing to lifting weights.
Most of these actions are subconscious: you move without thinking about the muscles involved. But if you do think about the movements, especially when training, you will improve your mind-to-muscle connection – and that can result in bigger gains.
How does that work?
Think of these neural pathways as being like a motorway. If the road isn’t well maintained, traffic will build up and it will take longer to get to your destination. But if it’s improved by constant attention, traffic runs more smoothly. The better shape these neural pathways are in, the quicker the signals from your brain will reach your muscles.
Why is that important to weight training?
The speed at which the signals reach your muscles has a significant effect on their size and strength. A fast signal means your muscle can contract harder and faster – making it stronger and more powerful – while also recruiting more muscle fibres, which will lead to new muscle growth.
Is that what’s meant by ‘muscle memory’?
No, it’s not quite the same thing, although that’s also to do with neural pathways. Muscle memory refers to the way you become better and more efficient at any physical
