Time Under Tension

A tight coil, pressing, pressing, growing tight under pressure. 

Steam enters my lungs. Muscles contracted, tensing, held till shaking. A cough in the steam. Heat burns my skin. Feels like skin sloughing off–wish it would slough off. I cross my arms—tenser, tenser. A choked breath out, then more steam in.

Extending the amount of time your muscles spend under stress—slowing movement, pausing—can stimulate muscle growth in resistance exercises.

No. 127