You walk into the gym, physically rested, but your workout feels heavy. The problem isn’t your muscles — it’s mental fatigue.

🔹 Cognitive Load and Muscle Output

Mental fatigue (from stress, overthinking, lack of recovery) reduces motor drive and lowers neuromuscular efficiency — meaning you physically underperform, even if your body is capable.

🔹 How to Combat It

• Pre-workout mental reset: breath focus for 2–3 minutes
• No multitasking during sets (put the phone away)
• Use a simple mantra: “One rep. One breath. One goal.”

🔹 When to Rest the Mind

Some days, it’s better to train lighter or switch to movement that restores (walking, yoga, mobility drills).

Performance is 50% muscle. The rest is mental space.