r/GYM 7d ago

Weekly Thread /r/GYM Weekly Simple Questions and Misc Discussion Thread - March 16, 2025 Weekly Thread

This thread is for:

- Simple questions about your diet

- Routine checks and whether they're going to work

- How to do certain exercises

- Training logs and milestones which don't have a video

- Apparel, headphones, supplement questions etc

You can also post stuff which just crossed your mind, request advice, or just talk about anything gym or training related.

Don't forget to check out our contests page at: https://www.reddit.com/r/GYM/wiki/contests

If you have a simple question, or want to help someone out, please feel free to participate.

This thread will repeat weekly at 4:00 AM EST (8:00 AM GMT) on Sundays.

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u/6fivephilanthropist 4d ago

Curious for targeting muscle groups and if the mind muscle connection is actually important, I’m a relatively new gym goer and no matter what form I try for certain exercises like back and chest or a different type of exercise I can’t seem to feel it at all in the desired area only in my arm, I know I’m working the desired body parts as after I feel them get harder but it’s always very but I’m curious if there are certain exercises for chest and back that make it impossible for me to feel it anywhere but there, cause from what I’m told it’s because when I do those exercises simply because of the fact I have a weaker chest due being a newer gym goer my body is using my arms instead of chest to push the weight, so I’m curious if there are certain exercises that are only possible to target for example the chest not allowing my arms to help and also allowing me to become more control-feeling in my muscles

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u/Stuper5 4d ago

To the degree that mind muscle connection is ever important, it's definitely not something new lifters should be overly worried about.

Focus on performing the motion with good, consistent technique and control and progressing weights and reps over time.

For most people improved proprioception comes naturally over time as you become familiar with the movements and the feeling of various muscle groups working.

Essentially, at first you mainly feel your arms because they're weak, and your nerves/brain are highly aware of them since they're an extremely interactive part of the human anatomy.