Two-time Figure Olympia Erin Stern is not just a bodybuilder, she is a powerhouse of inspiration and knowledge in the fitness world. In a recent YouTube video, Erin Stern shares her tried and true techniques for mastering mind-muscle connection.
“One of my favorite techniques for building strategic muscle is mind-muscle connection.”
Erin Stern burst onto the bodybuilding scene and catapulted herself into the limelight winning the Figure Olympia title not once, but twice in 2010 and 2012, solidifying her status as one of the best in the sport. Though Stern’s achievements extend far beyond her competition wins. She’s a certified personal trainer and an author, having penned books on fitness and nutrition.
Erin Stern is dedicated to educating and empowering others on social media. With millions of followers across multiple platforms, Stern shares workouts and nutrition tips. But it’s not just about flashy workouts or perfectly curated meals; Stern dives deep into the science behind fitness, breaking down complex concepts into digestible bits of information.
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Erin Stern Reveals How to Master Mind-Muscle Connection ‘To take Your training to the Next Level’
Through her videos on YouTube, Stern dispels myths and provides evidence-based advice. In a recent offering, Erin Stern discusses the importance of mind-muscle connection to amplify training.
“Now, I’m sure you heard that term ad nauseam, I know everyone talks about it. But, to me, mind-muscle connection is that very personal almost spiritual connection that you have with your body.”
“So when you’re able to really master it, and of course, developing mind-muscle connection is a lot easier with those muscles you can see but when you’re able to master it, you’re able to take your training to the next level.”
Erin Stern’s Tips for Mastering Mind-Muscle Connection
- Warm-up
- Go lighter in weight
- Perform slower reps
- Feel the muscles at work
- Flexing after sets
Stern stresses that warming up is always important for preventing injury and ensuring a quality pump.
“Step number one, really important don’t ignore this step: warm up. It’s really important that you get in there, do some work on the treadmill, you go through some dynamic drills. You get the circulation going and really just get feedback from your body as to how you’re feeling.”
Erin Stern then advises against going too heavy with the weights. When using heavy loads, other muscles have to compensate negating the intended effects of the workout.
“Next, whenever you go into your working sets, it can be really appealing to start going really heavy and when you do, you just start recruiting a lot of other muscles. Let’s take lateral raise for example. If I’m going really heavy, yeah I can lift a lot of weight but I start lifting the weight. I really start recruiting the traps and even the lower back” Erin Stern explains.
She believes it’s best to leave ego out of strength training.
“Leave the ego to the side and lighten up just a little bit,” adds Stern. “By going lighter, you’re able to really focus on the muscle you want to hit.”
Equally as important is making sure to slow down the movements, Stern points out that the slower you go the easier it is to focus on the muscle you are targeting.
“Now, along the same vein, when you’re going lighter, I also want you to go slower. Now, when you go slower, this is going to have that same or similar impact as going lighter. You’re better able to focus on the movement itself, the muscles itself, and you develop the connection between mind and body.”
Finally, flexing after working out allows a better mind-muscle connection and allows you to feel how the body is working.
“Last step, I want you to flex and I want you to feel the muscle. Going back to that lateral raise example, think about dropping one of the weights, so you’re just doing a single-arm lateral raise and take your non-working hand and place it on the muscle so you can actually feel which muscles you are recruiting. At this time, you can also change angles.”
“We’re going to take it back to old-school bodybuilding and I think that this is really just underrated. Flexing. There is nothing like flexing after a good set to really solidify that mind-muscle connection, really feel that pump and feel the muscle contracting.”
Erin Stern prides herself on maintaining exceptional fitness levels. From chiseled abs to toned inner thighs, she’s got the inside scoop on training every inch of the body. With a résumé that includes two Figure Olympia titles, Stern isn’t just spouting off workout advice, she’s backed it up with sweat and success on the competitive stage.
So next time you hit the gym, take a page from Erin Stern’s book and incorporate her tried-and-true techniques into your routine. With her guidance, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals and feeling like a champion in your own right.
RELATED: Erin Stern Shares ‘3 Key Exercises for Creating a Smaller Waist’: ‘These Help With Core Strength’
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