---
title: Mind Muscle Connection Increases Hypertrophy By 12-15%
date: 2025-09-30T00:00:00
author: Charlie M.
category: SIGNAL
---
So, I was staring at my coffee this morning, thinking about how it’s the one constant in my life. Black coffee, no sugar. But then again, is it really? I mean, some days I skip it and go for green tea, only to switch back because, honestly, who am I without my morning caffeine? Anyway, somewhere between sip two and three, I started thinking about the gym. How lifting weights has that grounding effect, like coffee but with less caffeine and more sweat.
Scrolling through Instagram later, as you do, I came across this post about the mind-muscle connection. You know, that idea you're supposed to focus on the muscle while lifting and - boom - you build more muscle. Or something like that. I think it said hypertrophy increases by, like, 12 to 15 percent or maybe it was 10? Not that I’d notice. But apparently, there's research on this. Somewhere out there, people have studied it, scientifically. It's funny how you can swipe past a meme and then somehow be immersed in... science? A swipe away.
So, supposedly when you're zoning in on your biceps, they're supposed to grow more. But does it work? I mean, I’ve tried it, sort of. But maybe I wasn’t actually doing it right. Like, what does it even mean to "focus" on your muscles? Is it like when you're trying so hard to remember where you put your keys, and the more you try, the less you remember? And anyway, how do they measure the percent increase? Like, tiny rulers for muscle growth or some lab thing I don't quite get?
There’s this nagging thought that maybe it’s just a placebo. Like, believing it's gonna work makes it work. I don’t know if that changes the reality of it not working or makes it work because you think it works? Could be both, could be neither. And what if you just don't really "connect"? Are we doomed to plateau forever in our lifting endeavors? Ugh. It's kind of like those motivational quotes with sunsets in the background that are supposed to make you feel better but really just make you want to delete the app in despair.
When I think back to my lifting sessions, I realize I've been more focused on getting the reps done than... engaging my mind? Who knows if I'm even feeling the right muscles. Maybe I’m just lost in my own mind... or someone else’s Instagram stories. Honestly, this whole thing feels like chasing shadows in a dimly lit room. You catch glimpses of truth, but there's never enough light to see it all clearly.
So, do I try harder tomorrow? Maybe. But maybe I’ll just go to the gym, lift some stuff, and let my mind wander. Or not wander. Who knows? Maybe that’s the real connection - just being okay with not knowing if it’s working or not, embracing the messiness, and grabbing another cup of coffee. Or tea.