If you're reading this article, we are of a like mind in at least one regard: we both want to achieve our fitness goals to have our dream body. Taking the body you were given to your maximum natural bodybuilding potential is on the forefront of every person crazy enough to dedicate themselves to bodybuilding. Maslow would call it self-actualization, the army would call it "be all that you can be"...but we just call it a Tuesday back workout. Obviously there are hundreds of facets to attaining your idea of physical perfection. Diet, training and supplementation are no-brainers as far as importance is concerned, and truth be told if you can dial-in those three pillars, you'll get a long way towards your goals. However, there is an aspect to bodybuilding that transcends these very important pillars, and is completely intangible.
This aspect is the power of your mind. First and foremost, understanding how integral your brain is to bodybuilding will change your physique quicker than any diet, workout plan or supplement will ever do. Only the best of the best ever fully realizes how vital the mental aspect of bodybuilding is. The mind saturates all aspects of bodybuilding, and can make or break any physique. It is so important that in my opinion, it should be the first thing trainees attempt to master, as it will positively affect every other aspect of your life. Your mind manifests itself in three major ways:
1. Attitude - Your attitude is controlled completely by your mind. You are the one who decides whether your workout is going to be ordinary, or so intense that the only thing you can do is collapse on the ground and smile. Your attitude determines if you are going to stick to the diet, or convince yourself with enough lies that one (insert unhealthy food here) is okay. It is so important to realize that reaching the pinnacle is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week endeavor that is not for the faint of heart. This type of attitude is difficult to obtain to say the least, let alone maintain over the course of a lifetime. Fortunately, you can transform your attitude with knowledge.
2. Focus - Once your attitude is set in stone, the next thing to conquer is focus. Knowing how to focus will take the intensity and results of training to unbelievable heights. Focus is very easy to spot in the weight room. Unfortunately, you can't just outwardly copy focus and achieve the same results. Focus is mainly internal. And inside the confines of the human mind lay the deepest form of focus in the muscle-mind connection. For example, the bicep curl is a very simple and recognizable exercise yet most trainees never focus enough to take the exercise to the next level. Your brain has to leave your head and take up residence in your biceps. Envision each bicep as mechanical pistons with perfect form. Activate every muscle cell using the power of your mind. Envision the myosin and actin latching onto each other and fully contract each and every sarcomere (this is where the knowledge comes into play). Once you put yourself fully into the movement, you can make even the most rudimentary exercises skin-bursting intense.
3. Vision - Put simply, vision is that intangible goal in all of our minds that we are striving for. Natural bodybuilding without vision is like driving without a road map. You might end up where you trying to go eventually, but the odds are just as good that you'll end up in the boonies. The main problem most new trainees have is that they think they know what they want to look like. However, without the attitude and drive, vision is nothing more than a dream.
So, is it impossible to achieve a great physique without engaging the mind? You may achieve some of your goals but you will not realize your full bodybuilding pot
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