Strength in the Digits

August 11, 2019 –

NP … some of you are trying to figure that one out in your head.  I mention it all the time here in session and frequently get to define it when some of you show an interest … shoot I might just ramble on about it, even if you’re not interested.  There are those who like peace and quiet when exercising. J  Many even have ear plugs with wires attached (I guess so they don’t lose the plug.) Still, I enjoy the captive environment to share information that happens to be more important than ironing.  After all it is your heath we are working on!

Neural Pathways (NP)  are the signals that go from your brain to the motor neurons that control the movements of your entire body.  I know how excited I get just typing that!  And like when speaking about it, there is a library of information in my head!

My job is to link that dialogue to what you are doing at that very moment.

As an Example; when we simply stand up off of the floor … are your heels staying down on the floor?  When you do a push up … are your wrists screaming in tension/tightness?  Example … when you hear me say heels down or feet flat when doing TRX strap squats or pressing with your Glutes on the Leg Press.  Yes, I say that for the reason of reminding your body to use the right muscles do the expected movements.   I say that to assure your safety and protect the small joints.  I say that to ensure you get the most muscles doing best movement, and you know … not to cheat yourself.  I say that  to help you develop the best possible NP (Neural Pathways – brainwaves to correct pathways of perfect contractions.)  My wife says I say that to aggravate her (eye rolling emoji here.) Over 40 years of doing this and this job is as exciting to me as it was at the YMCA in 1979 as a youth Nautilus Certified Strength Coach.  Yup, I’m old.

Short and simple, when your NPs are efficient all the best things happen!  
Most important is that your dysfunction goes away!  No, not the dysfunction of wearing high heeled shoes for several hours a day without stretching the tendons afterwards, or holding your computer in your lap and looking straight downward at that phone for several hours a day without stretching out your spine, or left lane drivers(not really dysfunction … just aggravating lol.)  NP dictates how your brain moves your body and if you do not help your brain … dysfunctions are created.  

NP starts in the brain and every thought, whether you realize it or not, is sent to the extremes … the digits.  So even if you choose not to complete the signal of your brain the neural pathway has been delivered all the way to the skin (every signal, every second, to every digit.)  So, the strength is in the digits.  Therefore, if you realize that and allow EVERY applicable muscle contraction to fire correctly in each movement (especially under load) in weight training … you are making all of the correct muscles better at creating strength to make improved posture, mobility, and with practice ~ POWER!  Strength x Speed … to be continued.

OK, now go think about what you are doing.  

In good health,

Bob

If little else, the brain is an educational toy. – Tom Robbins