If you really want to get the most out of your workouts, mind where your eyes are focused. Research (and self experimentation on my behalf) demonstrates that our extensor muscles (which lengthen a joint) follow an "eyes up" approach and flexor muscles (shorten a joint) respond to "eyes down" action.

Here is a great article from Conditioning Research on the matter.

Reflexive Lifting: How To Make Your Neural Reflexes Work With You And Not Against You!

In almost all sports, including lifting heavy weights, the eyes play a vital role. While a heavy deadlift doesn't require much in the way of great vision, it does require great eye position! Let me explain.

The muscles that surround the eyes, called the extraocular muscles, are all innervated by small nerve endings. These small nerve endings provide propioceptive (body awareness) input to various neuromotor sensors in the spinal cord and the brain. The primary reason for this is that the eyes and the inner ear work together to create balance and stability in virtually all of our movements.

How does this apply to your lifts? It's quite simple, really. The small nerve endings in the extraocular muscles actually create full body muscular responses to help guide movement. Practically speaking, what this means is that if your eyes are moved up, the small nerve endings in the extraocular muscles facilitate the extensor muscles of the body, creating a simultaneous inhibition of the flexor muscles. Conversely, the eyes down position will create flexor facilitation and extensor inhibition. Put simply, the eyes lead the body.

So, it makes sense that you can improve your exercise session by looking down as you pull things (weights or resistance) toward you and look up as you push things away from you.

Now, what are you waiting for? Lift your way to a better body today!