Visualisation in training

If it really takes 10,000 reps to do something well, it’s going to be hard to get there!

There’s one trick that is largely overlooked and that’s doing the mental reps. The ones we can do with closed eyes, in bed, the night before, or on the train on the way to a session. This is known as visualising and it isn’t mentioned nearly as often as for example technique.

(Although I do have this series of interviews with Dave Durante who explains it in detail, and in slow motion even).

Research shows that mental reps are essentially as good as real reps, in terms of reinforcing the neural pathways that are activated during a movement sequence. 

Visualising a movement causes similar brain activity as doing the real reps. Isn’t that cool? 

So if you are learning a new skill, or working on an existing one, and you want to get better, closing your eyes and performing the movement can count as added practice time. 

A lot of people do this every day, others do it before big lifts or competitions. Personally I find it helps me warm up and get my body to remember a sequence. Or keeping my heels down when squatting!

If visualisation is part of your routine, let me know. And if not, let me know if I can help.