Weird question, maybe unanswerable..

[McSupafly]

OK do you think that you'll make greater gains if you focus your attention entirely on the act of lifting the weight than if you lift weights while focusing your attention on say music or audio books, or thinking about other things? Think it makes a difference?

 

[bignate73]

it depends on where you can push harder, push more weight and work out more intensely. thats all that matters.

plants like music and people to talk to them. thats their stimuli. muscles only adapt to what they are subjected to.

hope that helps, just my 2 cents.

 

[araiber]

As much as I want to say that the mind has to be part of the workout- there is always the factor that subliminally, to at least function and do the workout you are somewhat focusing on that act. Also, if you do just clear your head and work out you are sure to get better results by doing the exercise properly, and you wont just stop after you get bored of doing a motion, but rather until you reach a certain number of reps.
I love going to the gym because my head gets cleared during and after it. Im totally focused on lifting, and nothing else.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

ooooh, we are getting into sub-level concentration now. I actually studied this in college for a while.

I wish i could site some of this, but this is what i just remember.

The most efficient neural pathways do not take concentration to activate. They almost work on thier own. For example, how many times have you driven home without paying attention and then you realize you have no idea how you got home. Crud example, but it is basic.

If you can ingrain a set of commands well enough into your body, your primary conscience will not need to apply more than situation recognization to activate the commands. You see what is happening, and your CNS will take it from there. For me, bunnyhopping a bike is like that. If I think about what is happening, my hop suffers. I have to let my sub-level conscience just do its thing and execute the motion.

Lifting (or any repetitive motion) can "burn" itself into your neural makup, making the motions seem like nothing more than a begining and outcome. This is called Muscle Memory in some circles. It is merely a hardwire in your head for a memorized set of motions.

Now comes your question. Just as bignate said, the more weight you lift, the stronger you get. At first you will have to concentrate on where the weight is going, but after a while your body will take over allowing your mind to wander. You still have to realize what you are doing, and realize what the situation outcome will (or should) be. If you can harness the muscle memory and let your body just do the work for you, maximum gains can be had. How? Less energy is expended on analyzing the situation, and more funneled into actually doing it no questions asked.

I dont really think I answered your question, but basically your mind has to know what is going on fully, while letting the body handle the motions through muscle memory. It is the most efficient method for muscle to be recruited, allowing max power and strength.

At this point I could identify locations in the brain that handle the different tasks, as well as go into an arousal scale that predicts the best state of arousal for what you are doing. I dont think any of that would add weight to your squat, so I shall spare you of the banter.

 

[bignate73]

i agree with JRH, for sure. but i think using music too early on, if you are learning a movement can be distracting. once you are an intermediate to advanced lifter then you can "lose yourself" in music and go through the burned in pattern of movement and focus on intensity from there on out.

 

[casualbb]

muscles are weird in that you can increase the neural drive by increasing your effort up to a point. Often times you feel like you're going to fail but if you really bear down can squeeze out another rep.

if you're someone who buys into the "intensity" thing, you will think that is a benefit. Of course you must be paying full attention for that. I say screw it, that last rep is not worth the fatigue. once you have the form down pat go ahead and space out.

 

[pendit]

For example, how many times have you driven home without paying attention and then you realize you have no idea how you got home. Crud example, but it is basic.

Damn that scares me! I sometimes wonder if I cut someone off or did something stupid because I'll drive 30 miles and not remember any of it.

Anyway, I do notice that I can zone out during a workout and not have problems completing my sets.