Neurological Intent:What is it?

When I entered the doors of Varsity House Gym for the first time a phrase was introduced to me and that phrase was “The Neurological Intent of moving a weight fast is more important than moving the weight fast!” At first it took me some time to realize exactly what this meant. When I did realize what this meant the word intent became the most powerful word that I used when training someone. When I mention this phrase to the athletes or clients that I’m working with I usually get some confused looks but after I explain what it symbolizes they begin to understand. Your Neurological intent is the understanding that when you are performing a lift it is your INTENT to perform the lift with the best technique possible and at the fasted rate possible.

For Example when performing a 1RM on the Box Squat your intent is not to move the weight slow, cause if it was you would not be able to complete that 1RM. Yes majority of the time your 1RM is not going to look fast but you would have never gotten the lift if you didn’t try to move that bar as hard and as fast as you can! Now this phrase not only applies to just weightlifting but to many aspects of training. It means so much when you’re trying to improve the overall speed of a Junior or High School Athlete. When you’re talking about getting one of these athletes faster form running techniques, strength work, and plyometrics all play a big role in helping that athlete. The most important piece of that puzzle is their intent and effort to run their sprints. For Example if their running 10 Get up Sprints, well than they have 10 opportunities to run as hard as they physically can each time. It is very important that your athletes understand this concept because without the intent their progression will be limited!

Check Back Next Week, where I will be posting a video of some exercises that go along side our High School Football 10 Week Cycle Program that will be released on varsityhousegym.com for FREE!

Mike Capriglione- Head Strength Coach at Varsity House Gym, NAS Competitive Strongman, USAW Sports Performance Coach