Weight lifting and getting past the “mirror muscles”
From a personal health and physical function standpoint, it will always make sense to adopt an exercise program that tries to utilize all 600-plus muscles in the body. But the push for aesthetics – the social pressure to achieve an appealing musculature – often leads to the phenomenon known as “mirror muscles.” This is when the exerciser works only the body parts he sees in the mirror, ignoring his backside and legs. This is folly on many levels, not the least of which is how large muscles in the back and legs generate natural testosterone production, which contributes to results everywhere. My blog entry, “Getting Buff: If You Want Bigger Arms, Work Your Legs” on UrbanStag.com discusses ways to do it right (I am the site’s fitness blog writer).