That's Fit

When performing a resistance training program, there are so many things that can go right: You can develop lean, strong muscles; improve your balance and posture; strengthen bones; and boost your immune health. And, that list can go on much further, too. However, there are also a few things that can go wrong, chief among them being an injury. Fortunately, there are a few good methods of preventing an injury from ever taking place, and one of those methods is more mental than physical.

You may have heard of what's known as the mind-muscle connection. More or less, this is the process of focusing on and visualizing the muscle group you are working as you actually do. For example, if you are doing a set of bicep curls, you would focus on your biceps getting as good a workout as possible and, as best you can, visualizing the muscle working and growing. The way this mental connection helps prevent injuries is basically because of this same process; intently focusing on your muscles as you work them will help ensure that you are sticking to proper form.

Most exercise-related injuries occur when attempts are made to lift unmanageable amounts of weight and/or when proper form is all but forgotten. Homing in on these areas of your body, as they are being worked, will greatly lessen the chances that you'll abandon correct form and, consequently, reduce your risk of injury.