Many exercisers use their minds to determine their exercise intensity. For example, a determined attitude, a competitive attitude, a mentally focused attitude, or a “no pain, no gain” attitude drives some exercisers to increase their exercise intensity, which often results in joint pain and extreme fatigue. Other exercisers have relaxed and laid back attitudes about exercise, and they never develop the intensity necessary for positive results. Both approaches are determined by an exerciser’s mind, and neither works very well, especially for older exercisers and exercisers in pain.

An alternative is to listen to your body. Let your body tell you the exercise intensity it needs to improve strength and function, and to avoid pain. This may surprise you, but when engaging in resistance exercise, your body is very good at letting you know how much exertion it needs—as long as you listen to it.

Next time we will discuss how to listen to your body. Stay tuned.