How Ditching the Mirror Can Improve Your Workouts

 

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

Introduction

As gym-goers, it’s common practice to constantly check ourselves out in the mirror during workouts. We use mirrors to monitor our form, and technique, and to give ourselves a confidence boost. However, a recent study has shown that ditching the mirror might improve our workouts.

The Study

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Wolverhampton found that individuals who worked out without the use of mirrors had better muscle activation and control. The study included 20 participants who performed a series of exercises twice, once with mirrors and once without. The results showed that when the participants worked out without the use of mirrors, they had better muscle activation in their biceps, triceps, and abs.

The Benefits

Working out without the use of mirrors can have several benefits. Firstly, it forces us to rely on our proprioception, which is the ability to sense the position and movement of our body parts. This means we become more aware of our body and its movements, which can lead to better control and form during exercises. Additionally, ditching the mirror can help us focus solely on our workout and not our appearance. This can reduce feelings of self-consciousness and boost our confidence in the gym.

Incorporating This Into Your Workouts

If you’re interested in giving mirror-free workouts a try, there are a few ways to incorporate this into your routine. Firstly, try covering the mirrors in your gym with towels or sheets during your workouts. Alternatively, you can try working out in a space without mirrors, such as a home gym or outdoor area. It’s important to note that mirrors can still be useful for certain exercises, such as those that require precise form or alignment.

Further Research

This study opens the door for further research into the impact of mirrors on our workouts. One potential avenue for future studies is to explore the psychological impact of mirrors on gym-goers. Additionally, researchers could investigate the impact of mirrors on different types of exercises, such as those that rely heavily on balance or coordination.

Tips for Maintaining Good Form

While mirrors may not be necessary for every exercise, maintaining good form is still crucial for preventing injury and maximizing results. Here are a few tips to help you maintain good form:

• Engage your core: Keeping your core muscles tight can help stabilize your body during exercises
• Focus on your breathing: Proper breathing can help you maintain good form and prevent you from getting tired too quickly
• Take breaks: It’s important to give your body a break when you’re feeling fatigued. Taking a few seconds to rest can help you maintain good form throughout your workout

The Importance of Body Awareness

As the study mentioned earlier suggests, body awareness is crucial for improving muscle activation and control during exercise. Here are a few tips to help you improve your body awareness:

• Practice yoga or meditation: These practices can help you become more aware of your body and its movements
• Work on balance exercises: Balance exercises can help improve your proprioception
• Focus on your breathing: Proper breathing can help you become more aware of your body and its movements

Conclusion

While mirrors have always been a staple in gyms, this recent study suggests that working out without the use of mirrors can have several benefits. By relying on proprioception and focusing solely on our workout, we can improve our muscle activation and control. So next time you hit the gym, consider ditching the mirror and see how it affects your workout.

Overall, research shows that working out without mirrors can have several benefits for improving muscle activation and control. While mirrors can still be useful for certain exercises, incorporating mirror-free workouts into your routine can help you become more aware of your body and its movements. By focusing solely on your workout and not your appearance, you can reduce feelings of self-consciousness and boost your confidence in the gym. So why not give it a try and see how it affects your workout?